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Making a TED-Ed Lesson: Synesthesia and playing cards

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  • TEDEd Animation

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How can a pack of playing cards accurately explain the complicated and nuanced neurological condition, synesthesia? TED-Ed animators explain the process of creating an original animation from planning (storyboard and animatic) to fruition, including the special secrets behind this animation (think playdough and green screens).


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About TED-Ed Animations

TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »

Meet The Creators

  • Producer TED-Ed
  • Narrator Addison Anderson
Additional Resources for you to Explore
Can you teach yourself synesthesia (“The Fallible Mind” blog at Psychology Today)?
Cytowic's lecture at the Library of Congress: “Music and the Brain: How Synesthesia Affects Creativity”
The Hirshhorn Museum gallery talk during the exhibit, “Visual Music.”
Here's Richard Cytowic's website.
Are you interested in some books to learn more about synesthesia?
Are you a visual synesthete? Take the test!
Excerpt from Wednesday is Indigo Blue: Discovering the Brain of Synesthesia (click on “Click to look inside”)
The visuals in this video really helped enhance Cytowic's words. Are you interested in how the animation for this TED-Ed Lesson was created? See the process in this TED-Ed Lesson about special effects.
How to make your own green screen
Everything you always wanted to know about animatics but were afraid to ask

Customize this lesson

Create and share a new lesson based on this one.

About TED-Ed Animations

TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »

Meet The Creators

  • Producer TED-Ed
  • Narrator Addison Anderson

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