Mapping out the magic
When one works for The Walt Disney Company long enough, a job title seems to fade into the background. Multi-talented “cast members” (employees) can carve out their own niche at the “Happiest Place on Earth.”
Tim McCloskey ’01 combines a software engineering title with unique artistic abilities, creating multiple magical experiences for Disney Parks & Resorts guests.
While at Messiah College, he pursued a degree in studio art, where he says he grasped a passion for art and a work ethic.
They work you hard there [at Messiah], and they had a sense of work ethic they instilled in you,” he said.
McCloskey takes that passion for art and incorporates it into his work at Disney. He equates his computer to a physical tool, much like a paintbrush or sculptor’s knife, combining code, Web-based tools and visual applications to create works of art viewed all over the world by Disney guests.
He first started in graphic design at Disney then transitioned to Web-based animation and, eventually, to complex Web interactivity. He developed virtual tours to strengthen the interactivity between Disney Parks and its guests, especially those who could not be there in person. One such virtual tour includes a place most people will never see: the Cinderella Suite in the Cinderella Castle, which once used to be a storage closet.
What I’ve been doing is merging where software engineering and art meet,” he explained. “I develop applications using maps, or what I like to call ‘mapplications.’ The Walt Disney World Resort is enormous—about 40 square miles. My part is creating tools to try to help guests locate their specific interests and vice versa.
But McCloskey says what really gets him excited are his intricately designed wooden Disney character sculptures. Typically measuring 3 feet by 3 feet, the sculptures are featured throughout the Walt Disney Parks & Resorts’ “Art of Disney” art galleries. Each piece contains thousands of wood blocks, all varying in height, shades and tints, that form a digital representation of a Disney character. He uses the same concepts of software mapping to turn the characters into physical, 3-D art. You’ll often find McCloskey doing meet-and-greets with guests in the art stores, festivals or special events held throughout Walt Disney World.
Reflecting back on his journey starting at Messiah College, McCloskey highlights the importance of following your dreams. “It’s important to explore what you like and what you don’t like, not just what you’re good at,” he said. “Begin by finding something you really love to do. When I was younger, I didn’t know what I wanted to do, and I thought it was an issue. But, that wasn’t it. Trying to force it is the issue.” Like the old adage goes, if you’re lucky enough to love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life!
— Livia Ungurean ’16