Meet Eric Kittelberger | Graphic Designer & Illustrator — Triple Play Design Company

We had the good fortune of connecting with Eric Kittelberger and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Eric, how has your work-life balance changed over time?
From my earliest recollections there was never anything else I wanted to do in my life except be an artist. I did well in school and probably could have gone any number of directions but nothing spoke to me like art did.

When I got out of high school I decided to pursue graphic design at Kent State University. I chose Kent for its celebrated design program and also because it was close to home and family. And I was lucky enough to meet my future wife there!

Upon graduation I landed a job at Smiley-Hanchulak in Akron. I learned more there in 2 weeks than I did in 4 years at Kent State! While at the ad agency, I began to pick up freelance jobs. It got to be where I would work for 9 hours a day and then come home and work until 12, 1 or 2 in the morning; then get up and do it all over again. My wife was very supportive as I worked many hours to build up enough business to go out on my own.

I finally made the jump and officially started my business on January 1, 1995. I didn’t know it at the time but I would end up working longer hours and more days than I did before. But it was for myself and I loved it! There were years I think I worked every day except for Christmas.

In another year or 2 the kids arrived. Something happens when you have kids. A switch kind of flips on in your head and you learn what is really important in your life. Their needs suddenly became more important than art. With running your own studio, independence trumps everything! I was able to coach teams and be at every school event my kids ever had, something I would have been unable to do with a regular work schedule.

From the time my son was born, through the time my daughter graduated from college, 26 years passed. 26 really valuable years. I was busy with my work but didn’t push things and I gave many hours of art and time to different organizations that my family was involved in. Business ultimately slowed as I never worked to replace clients who went away for one reason or another. The greatest achievement in my life, though, was bringing up 2 healthy, self-sufficient and independent human beings that I could be proud of!

Fast forward to today. It’s been about 4 years since my daughter graduated from college. That’s 4 years where I have been able to immerse myself back into art. Heck, I had 26 years of experimentation I needed to catch up on! As with art, I have had a love affair with baseball since an early age. During my peak years I only could fit in 1 baseball piece a year and that would go on my company Christmas card. Now, on Instagram, I post new baseball art daily. Sometimes 2-3 new pieces a day!

I am more focused on art today than I ever was. It runs through the top level of my brain 24/7/365. I am at total peace. I have become my work and there is very little I’d rather be doing. The family is great. Kids are doing well. Wife is retiring. And me, I will never retire.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I’ll start with the second half of my career as the first part seems lost to history now.

When my son went off to college, I found that I had more time on my hands. So I began to design posters featuring HOF baseball players, just as a creative outlet and diversion from the day to day design grind. A few years later my daughter left for school and I had even more time on my hands.

Around this time my Instagram was mostly photographic. But now I decided to post more of my regular graphic design work and my new baseball art. I wanted to start to get my brand out there. My following was small and slow to grow but instagram was fun and I hoped to make connections find new people interested in my work.

Along came Covid and what was to be a huge spark to my work. I was contacted by a marketing guy from Seattle named Tad Richardson. One day, Tad sent me a direct message on IG. His idea was to gather as many baseball artists as possible and have a virtual art show where artists could showcase and sell art celebrating 100 years of the Negro Leagues. A portion of the proceeds from the sales would go directly to the Negro Leagues Museum in Kansas City. He was able to get over 100 participating artists and we raised over $35,000 for the museum! My Instagram following went from about 250 to 700!

After this I began to work closely with Tad. Through our efforts we got to know some of the families of former Negro Leagues players. We did work for the Josh Gibson Foundation in Pittsburgh and the Buck Leonard Association in Rocky Mount, NC. Josh and Buck are two of the greatest Negro League players of all-time! We did a Josh Gibson Card Campaign using cards designed by over 60 artists. The competition ran like March Madness where people from around the world voted each week on which cards they liked best. My design made the final four and I ended up taking second place. For the Buck Leonard Association, we helped design and produce their Gala Event in 2021 and 2022 and helped create the Buck Leonard First Baseman’s HOF.

While all this was happening, I began working in Procreate on my iPad. I began watching videos to learn the software. The videos taught me basic concepts but I soon decided to dive in and experiment on my own. I wanted to pick a baseball event from each day, do the art and post it on Instagram. I started slow and small. I gave myself some parameters like using only 3 colors and giving myself only 5 minutes to complete the art. The daily posts started on March 3, 2021. I have done a daily baseball post everyday since. March 3, 2024 marked my 3-year anniversary! I have to say that as I have progressed in the software, the art takes much longer than 5 minutes! My IG following has grown — as of this writing, followers stand at 3351. People now visit my web site and souvenir shop daily.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I live in Massillon, Ohio which borders Canton. It doesn’t get much more football than this area! There was a Sports Illustrated article a few years back showcasing the 100+ years football rivalry between Massillon and Canton McKinley.

Paul Brown got his start at Massillon High School, went on to Ohio State and then the Cleveland Browns. We could start by seeing historic Massillon and the stadium named for him. We might also drive past a few Frank Lloyd Wright designed homes in the downtown area. We’d then head over to the Pro Football HOF and all the sites around the new HOF Village. We’d eat at Don Shula’s restaurant.

Another day we might go to the McKinley Monument where President McKinley is entombed. It’s a beautiful domed monument. And check out the McKinley Museum. We go down to see Thurman Munson Stadium and then head to Baker’s for steaks!

The next day we could go to Akron to see the Rubber Ducks play. Or to Cleveland to see the Guardians play. And if we’re in Cleveland we may as well take a tour of the Rock n’ Roll HOF.

NE Ohio has many great golf courses so we could spend a few days on the links. Afterwards, get some beers and burgers at Joey’s Kendall Tavern. I’m sure Joey will come over and sit down to discuss the day’s events!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There are a few people I’d like to recognize who helped form me into the artist and businessman I am today. First, my parents for years of love and encouragement. Jerry Kalback, David Chernow and John Hanchulak for their guidance and support. John Buchanan, whose words light the fire inside me every day. Paul Izzo, whose business lessons and encouragement provided me an MBA without the need to go back to school.

And a most special shoutout to Diane, Matthew & Macy who have shaped me in all the best ways!

Website: www.tripleplaydesign.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/tripleplaydesign

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/tripleplaydesign

Twitter: twitter.com/emkittel

Facebook: www.facebook.com/TriplePlayDesignCompany

Youtube: www.youtube.com/user/TriplePlayDesign

Other: Tik Tok www.tiktok.com/@tripleplaydesign