Columbus College of Art & Design teamed up with Moonbeam Literary & Media and COSI: Center of Science and Industry to premiere two heartwarming, prehistoric-themed animated shorts. For two students enrolled in CCAD’s Animation program, this event was more than just a screening—it was the culmination of months of creative problem-solving, artistic growth, and the unique opportunity to bring children's imaginations to life.
Hope Margaritis (Animation, 2025) and Myka Williamson (Animation, 2026) joined Moonbeam Literary & Media as Animation interns, tasked with transforming stories written by young authors into fully realized animated short films. The winning stories from Moonbeam’s storytelling contest—The Ankylosaurus and His Club, written by 9-year-old Nolan, and Time Hatch, penned by 9-year-old Phoebe—became the foundation for an unforgettable collaboration.
From rough sketches to the final frame, the journey of both Margaritis and Williamson is a testament to the power of storytelling and animation. Here’s a look at how they turned children’s words into moving pictures.
The creative spark: from page to animation
Margaritis took on the challenge of animating Phoebe’s Time Hatch, a whimsical adventure about two siblings who stumble upon a dinosaur egg and embark on a journey through time. Right from the start, she found herself captivated by Phoebe’s storytelling instincts.
“Phoebe has such a good natural sense of humor and storytelling,” Margaritis shared. “I was flooded with ideas, and the designs for the characters, Nick and Pip, came to me quickly.”
For Williamson, Nolan’s story, The Ankylosaurus and His Club, was an inspiring narrative about a misunderstood dinosaur who ultimately saves the very bullies who doubted him.
“It feels weird calling this my film or my story,” Williamson reflected. “This passionate kid, Nolan, wrote it, and it’s such a sweet, heartfelt story.”
The animation process: new skills, new challenges
Transforming a written story into a short film requires more than just artistic skill—it demands technical expertise, problem-solving, and adaptability. Throughout their internship, both students tackled new creative challenges while learning from industry mentors.
Margaritis worked closely with professional storyboard artist Ray Mendoza Landa, who introduced her to tools and techniques that streamlined her animation process.
“Ray’s experience in the industry was invaluable,” Margaritis said. “He taught me about character layouts and how they speed up animation. His feedback gave me the confidence to keep pushing forward.”
Williamson, meanwhile, leaned on lessons from her CCAD Pipeline and Production class while gaining fresh insight from her mentor, Emmy Award-winning producer Dave Peth, founder of Mighty Picnic.
Character design and making sure every character feels like they belong in the same world is really challenging,” Williamson noted. “Dave introduced me to an exercise where I’d draw one character in different line styles, colors, and attributes to see what worked best. I even gave Andy the Ankylosaurus a baseball cap at one point! That practice is something I’ll definitely carry forward in my work.”
Lessons in Animation and beyond
Both interns emerged from the experience with sharpened skills, a stronger sense of creative direction, and an appreciation for collaboration.
Margaritis saw significant improvement in her ability to animate character acting and subtle movements. “I’ve gotten faster at animating and better at lip-syncing, but my biggest improvement was in character acting,” she said. “I learned how small, subtle movements can make a character feel more natural on screen.”
For Williamson, learning to balance artistic ambition with production timelines was an invaluable lesson. “This project was on a much larger scale than what I’m used to, so I had to simplify my animation style,” she explained. “I went for a storybook, paper cut-out look with motion graphics instead of traditional hand-drawn animation. The story is for kids, and that’s what should shine the most. I also got really familiar with Procreate, Adobe After Effects, and Toon Boom Harmony.”
Beyond being a transformative learning experience for Margaritis and Williamson, this project was a labor of love for the creative minds behind the contest. Children's author Tracy Blom, alongside Moonbeam Literary & Media co-founders Jesse Byrd and Rebecca Chu, saw this initiative as a way to celebrate young storytellers.
“The idea for this contest started as a dream,” Blom shared. “When I woke up, I wondered how something like this could even be possible. Thanks to people who believe in literacy and the arts, we made it happen.”
Byrd echoed this sentiment, applauding the dedication of Margaritis, Williamson, and their mentors. “Margaritis and Williamson’s creativity, passion, and diligence in adapting the kids’ stories into animation was incredible to witness. Their mentors, Dave and Ray, provided thoughtful guidance, and the end result is something truly special.”
Looking Ahead: Preparing for a career in Animation
As they reflect on their journey, Margaritis and Williamson walk away with more than just an impressive new addition to their portfolios—they leave with newfound confidence, industry experience, and a deepened love for animation.
“I’m definitely going to be more thorough in pre-production from now on,” Margaritis said. “This project showed me firsthand how much it impacts the entire process in a positive way. The knowledge I gained from the wonderful people I worked with will stay with me forever.”
For Williamson, the experience reaffirmed her passion for storytelling and making an emotional impact through animation. “Most of my past internship and work experience has been for adults, so this was such a nice change,” she said. “Knowing that at the end of the day, I made a child smile—that’s something special. It reminded me that art doesn’t always have to be serious. It can be fun, imaginative, and bold.”
Before parting, Williamson offered one final piece of advice for aspiring animators looking to take on similar opportunities. “Don’t stress too much,” she said. Enjoy this process before you get zipped off into the world of suit jackets and briefcases. Remember what it’s like to be a kid and how kids see the world.”
Final film artwork from Animation student Hope Margaritis.
Final film artwork from Animation student Myka Williamson.
Learn more about CCAD’s Animation program or apply here.
Is your organization interested in partnering with CCAD? Learn more about CCAD’s Creative Careers & Collaboration department here.
