East Michigan News

Animators at Central Michigan University are exploring the use of animation to help scientists communicate climate change to the public. The challenge lies in conveying the intense concern felt by the scientific community, which is not easily captured through data alone.

Steve Leeper, from CMU's Department of Art and Design, noted that "their hair is on fire right now, but they can’t communicate that," emphasizing the potential of art to express such urgency. He collaborates with Lindsay Robertson, an animation program graduate, supported by a grant from NASA.

Leeper explained that most students in CMU’s animation major focus on traditional storytelling and character design aimed at entertainment careers. However, creating a public service announcement aligns with this training. Robertson employs motion and sound as abstract art forms to transform data into emotional narratives.

The project aims to produce an animation that conveys scientists' emotional responses to climate data. Leeper highlighted the importance of emotional communication in engaging audiences who might otherwise ignore factual information: “We tend to shut down the bad news.”

Robertson has experience using data in art, as demonstrated in her 2020 thesis "Sourz," which addressed fashion industry messaging about body image through animated textbook pages. She has gathered extensive data from NASA but seeks collaboration with environmental sciences faculty for deeper understanding.

Preliminary meetings have been held with Tao Zheng from CMU's Department of Geography and Environmental Studies to aid in interpreting this data and shaping the artistic narrative. Robertson may draw on past projects involving unique materials like fabric or glass ink for inspiration.

Input from collaborating scientists will refine their approach as they work on this innovative animation project.