platinum emperion + smash to smithereen

[Tylert]

Hello,

I cast smash to smithereen on platinum emperion. Does my opponent take 3 damage?

Thanks in advance.

[kombatkiwi]

Hello,

I cast smash to smithereen on platinum emperion. Does my opponent take 3 damage?

Thanks in advance.

Yes.
You follow the instructions in order, destroying Emperion puts it in the graveyard immediately, then when the opponent is dealt 3 damage the Emperion is not on the battlefield so its ability does not apply.

If instead of 'destroy artifact' it was 'deal 20 damage to target creature' or 'target creature gets -20/-20' then deal 3 to the controller, the answer would be different