Although Erik Kling 鈥99 was uncertain at first how to apply his art degree to the working world, he discovered a viable path through the unique experiences his undergraduate and post-graduate life provided him. Kling now works as an Animation Supervisor for , a job that provides him a great outlet for artistic expression.
At 香蕉视频, he didn鈥檛 know which of his interests he wanted to continue with after graduation, as he enjoyed several, most notably art, music and theatre. He studied Studio Art, largely focusing on painting, printmaking and drawing, and Art History. In addition, Erik played in the听jazz band, was involved in a few theatrical productions and was a member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, the music fraternity. He appreciated the opportunities Hastings gave him to pursue all these interests simultaneously, especially since he didn鈥檛 know what he wanted to do then.
鈥淭he future wasn鈥檛 clear to me at the time I was in school. The ability to study so many different subjects and really get a well-rounded education is incredibly helpful; it鈥檚 funny how things you didn鈥檛 think you鈥檇 ever use come into play,鈥 Erik said.
While at Hastings, he also drew a comic for the , the student-run newspaper, all four years.
鈥淚t really helped me experiment with sequential images and storytelling.鈥
These skills would later prove invaluable to his career as an animator, though he didn鈥檛 know that at the time. Then, he was merely doing something he enjoyed.
After graduating, Erik moved to Lawrence, Kans. and worked various temp jobs. He played in Transforming Apollo, a rock band started while he was still in school. It performed in the Midwest for five years before disbanding. Though the band served as an artistic outlet for Erik, it eventually proved far more useful in that it awakened an interest in his future career.
鈥淭echnology was getting more accessible at that time, and while recording our second album, I got into doing some computer animation hoping to make a music video,鈥 he said. 鈥淭hough the video I eventually created was crude, I saw a glimpse into my future and realized this was a way I could make the stories in my head come to life.鈥
This discovery impelled Erik to attend graduate school at the in San Francisco to learn computer animation, a leap he鈥檚 glad he took.
After grad school, Erik moved from freelancing to working for , and Warner Brothers. He has worked on shows including “The Penguins of Madagascar,” “Kung Fu Panda: Legends of Awesomeness,” “Fanboy听and Chum Chum”听and “Star Wars: Detours.” Currently he is working on some specials for with Warner Brothers.
Without his experiences at 香蕉视频, Erik would not have had the opportunity to sharpen the skills he uses on his job.
鈥淚t gave me the tools to pursue what I wanted, even though the future wasn鈥檛 clear to me at the time,鈥 he said. 鈥淎t Hastings I was able to focus on my art studies and really improve my skills, being allowed to experiment with comics and animation. It all added up to a rich foundation I use to this day.鈥
Erik is pleased with the experiences that have led him to this point and thrilled to see what comes next.
鈥淚t鈥檚 been a great ride and I鈥檓 excited to see what the future holds.鈥澨