United Nations Animation
Animation | CMU | Visual Communications Studio
Prompt: Create a 1-minute animation interpreting a randomly assigned UN Sustainable Development Goal.
Timeline: 4 Weeks
Professor: Brett Yasko
Develop a story concept
I began by researching the most promising forms of renewable energy and quickly realized how complex and contradictory the field is. While some sources advocated for advanced nuclear, others, like Bernie Sanders, strongly opposed it. To cut through the noise, I grounded my narrative in the broader idea of electrification and sustainable transition.
I decided to look for a hero nonprofit to lead my story and landed on Rewiring America because I intuitively saw the potential for visual storytelling with electrification. I narrowed down my research into 5 story pitches and got feedback from my peers before choosing one to move forward with.
With sound as my guiding force, I aimed to engage the viewer’s body and emotions. The animation begins with a meditative soundscape of nature and joy before abruptly shifting to the jarring noise of traffic and construction. This contrast evokes a visceral response, making the case for electrification as a return to serenity.
Storyboard
Though I wasn’t confident in my illustration skills at the start, storyboarding helped me define the tone and pacing of the animation. My goal was to make the visual world feel approachable, even if the drawings didn’t yet match the richness of the audio.
Animate—ToonSquid & After Effects
To ease into animation, I began with ToonSquid, an intuitive platform that helped me understand keyframes, onion skinning, and vector drawing. Once I built a foundation, I transitioned to After Effects to deepen the visual complexity of the piece.
Develop an Illustration Style
I explored styles ranging from abstract surrealism to whimsical cartoons, favoring aesthetics that felt ethereal, colorful, and emotionally resonant. While I’m still developing my illustration skills, I redrew and adapted some inspiration by hand and will credit original artists where applicable.
MoodBoard (Found on Pinterest, most of my drawings are heavily influenced by various artists on this mood board)
Animate—After Effects
I moved this animation over to After Effects and felt intimidated but eager to explore where this could go. I was immediately impressed with the night sky I was able to make with some glow and shooting star effects. I could not have achieved this so quickly without YouTube or ChatGPT.
Mid-Point Reflections:
I could have played it safe by animating my initial storyboard as-is but I chose to keep pushing myself. While this meant working more slowly and facing creative uncertainty, it also helped me stretch my skills and refine my visual voice. At times, I doubted whether the evolving styles worked together. But I kept experimenting, trusting that cohesion could come in later refinements.
Final Reflection:
In the end, the part I’m most proud of is also the simplest: a single line transforming into icons of renewable energy before delivering the final message. This section remained nearly unchanged from the original storyboard which was proof that a clear, powerful idea can carry more impact than complexity. If I had more time, I’d love to finish the gesture by connecting the wire to a final plug.