Innovator Ted Kasparek makes MPL more animated!

Get ready, library fans, Cossitt has a new innovator to introduce you to! Ted Kasparek is a graphic design and animation specialist hailing from New Orleans who’s just itching to get started with his graphic design and animation programs at the library. “Growing up, I went to the Jefferson Parish Library [in New Orleans] a lot, where I could grab movies and cartoons to check out. That’s always been something I’ve been drawn to,” said Kasparek of his ongoing relationship with libraries. “The library was the place where I found my love for anime, things like Dragon Ball Z and Outlaw Star. When I was a kid, I would pause the screen and be like ‘get me some tracing paper’ so I could draw it out myself. Finding that cool stuff wouldn’t have been possible without the library, because I didn’t have cable growing up. Having all this access to cool content and visual things, it kind of inspired me to become an animator in the first place!”

Kasparek comes from a storied artistic and cultural background. After moving from The Big Easy to Memphis in 2009 to attend the Memphis College of Art, he stuck around to do odd jobs in the city’s creative scene. He eventually got involved with Youngblood Studio, where he worked on mural installations throughout the entire city, but after nearly 10 years of portfolio work around Memphis, he was called to Chicago with his partner, where they both attended top grad programs. “Getting my Master’s in animation from DePaul University was kind of when my narrative changed. I started working all these internships and volunteer programs for a lot of cartoon pilots in Chicago, and from there I’ve been working on multiple projects – a lot of background designs and character animations for upcoming pilots.”

But Chicago just couldn’t hold Ted for long! “It’s funny, people always joke that Memphis is a black hole that just won’t let you leave. And I was always like ‘nah, that can’t be me,’ but then here I am coming back!”

Since graduating from DePaul University and returning to Memphis, Kasparek has begun working as an adjunct professor at Southwest Tennessee Community College, teaching graphic design, motion graphics, and video editing. Teaching, and more importantly, helping people’s artistic growth, has always been in Kasparek’s blood; providing free access to tools and knowledge is paramount to his outlook on the progression of art.

I’ve always wanted to teach people. A lot of times [in the artistic community] there’s this issue where people want to keep their techniques close to their chest, which on the one hand I do get because they don’t want to get [those techniques] stolen, but I don’t care about that. I want everyone to have all the tools and trade that they can and to learn how to make all this cool stuff themselves!

Coming from his own cable-less upbringing, Kasparek understands that the barrier to entry for some creative fields can be high, which is exactly why he wants to provide access to everyone through the library. While the Cossitt Branch Library is already well equipped for an in-studio setup (we can rejoice that it’s “not too far off from what I’ve seen professionally in the past,” in Kasparek’s opinion), he’s currently in the process of ordering laptops and provisioning them with all of the animation software students might need. “I’ve run into the issue [of a big barrier to entry] with my students at Southwest who don’t have this setup at home, so it’s great to have programs like these through the Memphis Libraries that cost them nothing but still lay those tools out before them. I just love that the library gives them access without any barrier, whether it’s [monetary] or any other type of thing that might get in the way.”

Kasparek’s love of helping people find their creative way is evident already, even in his short time as an adjunct professor at SWCC. “I always see everyone as having potential. They have the potential to do great things and be great people. Everyone comes with different skill levels and experiences, so getting them involved with finding internships, workspace experience, pipeline experience, that’s what I’m really aiming to try and help [my students] with.” In fact, Kasparek has already helped one of his Southwest students get involved with the City of Memphis as a graphic design intern, coaching them along the way with everything from interview practice to day-one advice. Kasparek’s joy at sharing his creative expertise is palpable from the moment you step into the room with him.

Believe it or not, this won’t be Kasparek’s first time working in a library. “Way back in high school, I actually worked in my school’s library. It exposed me to a lot of cool reading materials, and it was just a really great chance to be around books all the time and just pick up and read stuff.” In the sea of high school drama, shuffling from class to class, and, in his own words, “watching too much TV,” the library served as a quiet, safe space for Kasparek. “There’s always been this nice connection with libraries for me, so I’m really excited to be working for a library. For the second time, I guess, but I’m excited to see how much further I can go this time around with this Innovator-in-Residence program.”

Kasparek and all the other Innovators-in-Residence, for that matter, are well on their way to creating fun and interesting Workshop Programs for people of all ages. Keep an eye out in the near future for new Innovator programs at the Cossitt and Raleigh Branch Libraries. And while you’re there dipping your toes into animation and design with Ted Kasparek, you might even be fortunate enough to try some of his authentic NOLA cuisine. “I make a mean gumbo, and beignets too! That’s about all I can make, but I’m bringing a good little bit of New Orleans here to Memphis with me.”

We’re happy to have you and all of your New Orleans glory at the Memphis Public Libraries, Ted!