Thomas ‘TJ’ Whitfield ’20 revels in the “tedious work” of creating something that matters.

“A lot of people love to see the finished project, but it’s the process of sketching out an idea, designing, messing up, coming back, and diving deep that I enjoy most,” he says. The communication major has long harbored a passion for drawing and sketching, but learning graphic design at Wheaton has opened up a new world of possibilities for him.

“I want to use the gifts Christ has given me to embody the beauty he created in the world around us,” says TJ. From his perspective, there’s nothing more beautiful than telling stories of the people he interacts with daily.

“At Wheaton, I’ve had the opportunity to really sit and talk with a wide variety of students to gain a better understanding of their experiences,” says TJ. “No two people share the same story.” After graduation, TJ aspires to establish a career in the creative realm, using his gifts to “truthfully interpret people’s experiences and celebrate their differences.”