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Rafael Calonzo
Illustrator & Animator
Rafael Calonzo Jr. is a seasoned professional in the game industry, primarily recognized for his role as a Senior 2D Animator at Intercept Games, where he contributed to the development of the popular game Kerbal Space Program 2 (KSP2) since 2021. His career in the gaming sector began in 1995, and he has a diverse background that includes work as a designer and artist.125
In addition to his animation work, Calonzo is also involved in education as a Career & Technical Education Teacher at Kentwood High School, where he shares his expertise with students.3 He operates a company called CalonzoVision 3000, although specific details about this venture are not extensively documented in the available sources.
Calonzo is active on LinkedIn, where he shares insights into his professional journey and projects, including animated shorts and educational initiatives.24
Highlights
My animated short "Exit 152 to the Moon" plays nightly at Kherson Park in Kent, WA. Now with music and sound by the legendary Howard Mostrom!
PROJECT BRIEF The City of Kent Parks Department recently opened Kherson Park, a newly renovated, space-themed park honoring the creation of the Apollo Lunar Rovers at the nearby Boeing plant. The park design features play structures that are life-sized replicas of a Lunar Rover, an astronaut suit, a Lunar Lander and a Mission Control console, and a large wall with projection capabilities. The Kent Arts Commission called for digital/video media artists to provide short (< 5 minute) films to be showcased on the projection wall in the evenings.
PROPOSAL In my entry for the project, I proposed a fictionalized history of the rover, where kids who watched a science fiction film at the local, now-defunct Midway Drive-In were inspired to pursue careers in aerospace. Their monumental achievements in space are then commemorated in this park, where the play structures and summer movie nights inspire a new generation.
The title "Exit 152 to the Moon" refers to the freeway exit from Interstate 5 to Boeing's Kent Space Center.
Hello people of LinkedIn. My company, Intercept Games, closed down on Friday. It's been a long, yet actually humane goodbye, so I've had time to make peace with the closure. I'm a little sad, but truly, this is one of those "smile because it happened" moments. Like really, how lucky was I? I got to do a job that feels like it was created just for me. A job with hilarious and talented people with whom I will remain friends. A job I frankly wanted to last until I retired, it was that rare and good and fun. I'm proud of what the team created over the past 7-ish years. I'm sincerely eager to see what everyone does next.
As for what that is for me, I was hoping one or more of you might have the answer to that? Please reach out if you come across any Raf-shaped openings in the job market. Thanks.
(below: actual live footage of every day at the company)
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Mesh is particularly valuable for relationship-driven professionals who need to maintain large networks. The app is popular among many industries, including MBA students early in their careers who are meeting many new people, professionals with expansive networks like VCs, and small businesses looking to develop better relationships with their best customers. Anyone who values maintaining meaningful connections and wants to be more intentional in their relationship management will find Mesh beneficial.
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