You Are Here: Design Studio Preserves Signature Wall

Photo: Cameron Wittig.

For several decades, the Walker’s Design Studio made its home on the top level of the Edward Larrabee Barnes–designed building in a space that hosted an array of graphic designers, editors, curators and guests. Sometime in the late 1980s, one section of wall was conscripted to tally the presence — and heights — of the many people who passed through the studio’s doors. That tradition continued until 2004 when the wall came down as part of renovations to the space. Design is now housed in the new Herzog & de Meuron building, but an homage to the old office remains: A chunk of wall is preserved behind glass in the new studio, and with it the names of the many — including former design director Laurie Haycock Makela and the late Scott Makela, designers Andy Beach and Alex DeArmond, writer Jeff Kastner, illustrator J.Otto Seibold and, tallest of all, “The Japanese Emperor #2” — who stepped up to be measured.

We’ve posted the photo on Facebook as well, so Walker alumni, please go tag yourself and help us get a comprehensive visual archive of all who’ve been part of this unusual yardstick.