theywalkamongus™ is the creative practice of Los Angeles-based design and art director Derek Vander Griend. Collaborating closely with co-conspirators, Derek creates at the intersection of entertainment, fandom, and visual culture.

Whether it’s a global brand, local business, or underground band, his goal is always the same: to blend nostalgia with the present and make meaningful work.

His practice is fueled by a lifelong obsession with the visual gems hidden in everyday life: old signage, found graphics, bootleg tees, and the strange magic of forgotten things. Theywalkamongus started as a gamer tag, but grew into a creative philosophy. Every day, all around us, inspiration and visionary minds are hiding in plain sight. Sometimes all they need is a canvas and a spark.