 "Photo: Courtesy Thomas Walker Jr.")
There are those who see their work as a means for revolution and dream of altering human perception through their quest for individuality.
There are those who find solace at the height of artistic integrity and refuse to fall victim to the hands of mediocrity. Casting off all limitations and propelling his dreams to the surface, 22-year-old Wayne State graphic design major Thomas Walker Jr. is transforming reality through creative design.
Walker is passionate about his work, and while many students are planning for the future, he already views graphic design as not only his field of study but also a necessity.
“Design is life. Down to the salt package, everything has design incorporated into it,” Walker said.
“From the toothpaste that you use in the morning, to the toothbrush, to the stitching on your socks, graphic design is involved. It’s a trade that’s going to be needed forever.
"Design is as important as air. It’s my life.”
Having been commissioned by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, the United Negro College Fund and Kanye West’ record label GOOD, Walker is serving the masses, maintaining his artistic integrity and unique brand of creative expression, while making his clients happy.
But even as his list of clientele gradually increases, he holds fast to the pursuit of excellence, and never loses sight of his individual truth.
“This is the only thing that I could really see myself doing,” Walker said. “I didn’t always have clients and I didn’t always have people reaching out to me to do work. But during those times, I was still putting in as much effort, if not more, to the craft.
“Mediocrity is unacceptable. You have to be number one, and if you’re not number one, then you have to be shooting to be number one.”
For the last eight years, Walker has been forging his own brand of promotional advertisement as the CEO of print and Web design companies, V2D Studio LLC and Tommy Walker LLC.
He also serves as the resident graphic designer for WSU’s Student Council Program Board and the Creative Director for Bird Brain clothing. Developing an appreciation for art at an early age, Walker was inspired not only by human interaction, butalso by the artistic endeavors of family members who have taken similar paths.
“I just thank God,” Walker said. “I feel like I’m blessed to be able to appreciate art. I went through so many years of being surrounded by art, without having the deep appreciation that I have now. It gives me a certain feeling that nothing else could give.
“I want to be known as a pure artist who just did what he liked. I want to be the best. When you mention design, then you mention Thomas. I will be the best.”
As one-half of the creative design company “Commissioned Artists,” Walker is working on an art exhibit called the “Space Helmet Concept” with his cousin and fellow artist Marlo Broughton.
Speaking very highly of their partnership, Broughton said that Walker had a wide and passionate imagination.
“He is very passionate and he takes his goals and endeavors very seriously,” Broughton said.
“I feel really blessed to work with him. He keeps me motivated.”
While Walker serves as a source of inspiration for others, there is nothing more inspiring to him than watching his dreams unfold into a solid existence.
He is motivated by his love for his craft and has stripped himself of all limitations that could prevent him from achieving his goals.
“I don’t know the word ‘can’t,” Walker said. “Everything you want to do, you’re going to do. There’s no more ‘I want’, everything is ‘I am’ or ‘I will be.’
“You have to choose what you are going to allow to bind you and then you’ll be free.”
Walker’s friend Sean Singletary can also attest to Walker’s unparalleled devotion and strong work ethic.
“He’s focused,” Singletary said. “He knows what he wants and he’s out to get it.”
While many people may neglect their aspirations in the face of adversity, allowing their dreams to be sub upon the chopping block of self doubt, Walker will be following his heart, experiencing a liberation that not even he could design.
“I’ll set a goal and I can’t even get a haircut until I reach it,” Walker said. “Self motivation, to complete a goal makes me feel good. I’d rather design than eat.”
“Expression is necessity.”
