Press Release
26-FEB.-06


ONLINE DRAWING THRIVES ON YOUDRAW.COM

With over three hundred thousand drawings created through its online drawing tool, the Youdraw Project has reached cruising speed. Launched in 1999 by Louis Paschoud, Peter Holberton and Ally Cane, the original aim of the project was to gather half a million drawings of human figures. These drawings were to be compiled into a book, part of an exhibition showing the scale of human population. While the original project still stands, the Youdraw website has grown into a very popular website where drawing enthusiasts from all over the world share their talent with others.

“The largest art Gallery you will ever get in your living room”.
Indeed! In order to mark the passage of one, two and three hundred thousand drawings submitted to the Youdraw website, three limited edition posters have been printed. Each poster is a selection of 2000 drawings celebrating the diversity of talent expressing itself on the website. “You can spend hours scrutinizing them. From a distance they look like some kind of strange hieroglyphics. When you get closer you keep discovering new drawings,” comments Peter Holberton, programmer of the website. The money collected through the sale of the posters will help Youdraw develop the website further.

CLOSE TO 10 000 DRAWINGS A MONTH
The Youdraw website was launched in October 1999 when the world population passed six billion. Since the launch, the site has seen a steady growth in the number of drawings created each month. Today over 80 000 unique visitors make their way to the Youdraw website each month, many creating their own drawing or simply browsing the website gallery looking at drawings. Close to half a million drawings are viewed every month!

ONLINE DRAWING
The Youdraw online drawing tool consists of two basic “pens” and two “erasers” using only black and white. This very simple interface favors drawing and composition and is appreciated for its constraints in a world of advanced imaging software. The resulting drawings are fascinating in their variety. The Youdraw “drawpad” has brought out many extraordinary talents, visible on the website through a seemingly infinite gallery of pictures.

WHO DRAWS?
The Youdraw website is a place of expression. “The Youdraw community love to share their impressions about each others’ drawings” says Louis Paschoud originator of the project. “Usually they are nice to each other, though now and then thing heat up a little bit… just like in real life”. Several volunteers help out with the day-to-day running of the site and make sure Youdraw stays a nice place for everyone.
The Youdraw website is home to many characters of all ages and origins. For example, Christine MB from England has contributed over 9000 drawings! (an absolute record). A user nick-named Zoomer created an incredible drawing composed of seventy-nine smaller ones to celebrate 30 years of marriage (to view his work go to the “pic search” page; in the “Name” field type: “big idea” and choose to show 100 images). Children and schools also contribute a lot to the project.

THE FUTURE
The Youdraw project has shifted from its original aim. Although many people still submit drawings of human figures, many visitors use the site as a place to share their passion for drawing. Youdraw plans to broaden the scope of projects for which people can draw. As many people come to Youdraw wanting to improve their drawing skills, different ideas are being developed to try and satisfy this demand.

FACT SHEET
Original aim: collect 500 000 drawings of human figures for a book to be used in a installation showing the scale of human population
Drawings created so far: 380 000
Average number of drawings created every month: 10 000
Individual drawings viewed every month: 500 000

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6 Billion People in One Room!

What do 6 billion people look like? Youdraw is an exceptionally creative, simple and interactive web site that intends to represent the current, huge scale of humanity. The launch of the Youdraw web site, the first stage of an ambitious project, was timed to coincide with the United Nations Day of 6 billion - 12th October 1999 .

The Youdraw project aims to show 6 billion personalised drawings of the world’s people together for the first time ever, in one room! This huge tapestry of an incredible moment in human history will be built through three key steps :

1. Collection of 500,000 drawings that people create and post on the Youdraw web site.

2. Incorporation of the 500,000 drawings into specially designed books, to represent the scale of the global 6 billion population. Each book will feature a total of 500,000 personalised drawings, 12,000 books will be produced in total to capture the landmark 6 billion figure.

3. Display of the 12,000 books in a uniquely designed installation, to be exhibited internationally.

The brainchild of London-based Swiss film student, Louis Paschoud and Creative Director Ally Cane, Youdraw has been created to raise interest in the very human issue of the planet’s rocketing population. Louis Paschoud says, “The Youdraw idea came to me in a flash of inspiration. How can anyone possibly imagine everyone in the world? A mere 2 billion in 1927; by 2050 the planet is estimated to be home to some 9 billion people! But Youdraw is not about statistics, it’s about individuals - all 6 billion of us, including you and me.”

“We decided to show humanity at human proportions”, added Ally Cane who works and lives in London. “We hope that Youdraw will lead to wider awareness of our planet’s rapidly growing population. The Youdraw project is an independent initiative, supported by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), and is looking for sponsorship and support.”

Youdraw wants people across the planet to unleash their unique talents of self-expression through creating and posting a personal drawing on the Youdraw web site, at no cost to them. The Youdraw web site also has links to other sites with facts and figures on the planet’s growing population.

London 12 oct 1999
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6 Billion Draw on Web Power!

What do 6 billion people look like? Access Youdraw, and come face-to-face with an exceptionally creative, simple and interactive web site. Aimed at doodlers world-wide, Youdraw offers everyone the chance to contribute their own portrait to what will ultimately be part of a global gallery of 6 billion individuals.
The launch of the Youdraw web site, the first stage of an ambitious world-wide project, was timed to coincide with the United Nations Day of Six billion - 12th October 1999

Youdraw will be collecting 500,000 drawings that people have created and posted to its site. These very personal drawings will represent a unique moment in global internet history. The web site gallery will serve as a living museum, from which 500,000 drawings will be incorporated into 12,000 specially designed books - 12,000 books will be printed - to capture the planet’s landmark population figure. An international exhibition, will ensure that the planet’s 6 billion people come together for the first time ever, in one room!

The brainchild of London-based Swiss film student, Louis Paschoud and Creative Director Ally Cane, Youdraw has been created to raise interest in the very human issue of the planet’s rocketing population. Louis Paschoud says, “The Youdraw idea came to me in a flash of inspiration. How can anyone possibly imagine everyone in the world? A mere 2 billion in 1927; by 2050 the planet is estimated to be home to some 9 billion people! But Youdraw is not about statistics, it’s about individuals - all 6 billion of us, including you and me.”
“Showing humanity at human proportions is fundamental to the Youdraw project”, added Ally Cane who works and lives in London. “Through the net we will be bringing together a tapestry of human involvement from all walks of life and all corners of the planet. That is really exciting. We hope that Youdraw will lead to wider awareness of our planet’s rapidly growing population. Youdraw is an independent initiative, supported by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), and is looking for sponsorship and support.”

Youdraw uses Java to create a DrawPad that allows people to select several line widths when creating their drawing. The drawings are then sent to the Youdraw database where they can be seen along thousands of others awaiting publication in the Youdraw book. A draw your own e-card service is also available and enables users to send a drawing to any e-mail address - a great opportunity to make your e-mails a little more personal.
Youdraw wants people across the planet to unleash their unique talents of self-expression through creating and posting a personal drawing on the free Youdraw web site. The Youdraw web site also has links to other sites with facts and figures on the planet’s growing population.

London 12 oct 1999
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