Chandelier: Picturing Potential

Abstract

The author—artist, scientist, educator, and visual–spatial thinker—describes the genesis of, and provides insight into, an innovative, strength-based, visually dynamic computer-aided communication system called Chandelier©. This system is the powerful combination of a sophisticated, user-friendly software program and an organizational methodology rooted in respected theory and practice. Chandelier enables professionals to (a) assemble, organize in a logical way, manage, and utilize rich psychoeducational and psychosocial data to create confidentiality—secure holistic profiles or portraits that afford a broader and deeper understanding of how an individual’s strengths contribute to the healthy development and successful realization of potential and (b) communicate knowledge and understanding gained through this process to others for whom the information is important such as parents, teachers, collaborating professionals, and/or the client him- or herself. The system incorporates many helpful utilities such as uniquely barcoded case development; a dynamic on-screen Chandelier chart designed to display many data points simultaneously while serving as a portal for exploration of the worldwide web, downloading and uploading material; year-by-year or case-by-case data comparison; direct access to personal files; generation of reports and charts for hard copy or electronic distribution; storage of templates and other resources; and a built-in facility for communication between small local groups through to global affiliations.