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PODCAST

Underscore

The Chicago Graphic Design Club

Underscore is a podcast by the Chicago Graphic Design Club that brings you conversations with Chicago’s creative community. On this podcast, host, Christian Solorzano, explores the craft, theory, and practice of graphic design, plus discusses ideas that cultivate a more inclusive and thoughtful creative community.

arts design

All Episodes

00:48:38

082 • ALIONA SOLAMADINA

Underscore ·

2025/06/09

Video available on YouTube and Spotify. Search, The Chicago Graphic Design Club.—Our guest is Aliona Solomadina, an independent graphic designer, artist, and researcher originally based in Kyiv who has been living in Chicago since 2022 following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Aliona was featured in our inaugural Faculty publication through her work City of Forms.In this episode, Aliona speaks with host Christian Solorzano about her unique perspective as an outsider interpreting Chicago, exploring

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01:09:13

081 • BARRY DECK

Underscore ·

2025/05/26

Our guest is ⁠Barry Deck⁠, graphic designer and typographer known for creating Template Gothic and serving as the final art director of Ray Gun Magazine.In this episode, Barry speaks with host ⁠Christian Solorzano⁠ about his unexpected journey from theater student to design icon, beginning with his discovery of graphic design while wandering the dorms at Northern Illinois University. He shares insights about his transformative years at CalArts under Ed Fella's mentorship and how vernacular

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00:53:45

080 • JAMIE GANNON

Underscore ·

2025/05/12

Our guest is Jamie Gannon, an artist, designer, and photographer who has spent over 30 years in Chicago exploring the intersection of architecture, memory, and creative practice.In this episode, Jamie speaks with host Christian Solorzano about his unique approach to documenting buildings through what he calls "defamiliarization" - taking familiar structures and making them unexpected again. He shares insights about his journey from Tennessee to Chicago, his evolution from commercial graphic design

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01:10:21

079 • WENDY ROBLES

Underscore ·

2025/04/28

Our guest is ⁠⁠Wendy Robles⁠⁠, a visual artist and designer who explores themes of connection, memory, and an invisible presence through her work. She maintains a dedicated creative practice between fine art and design in Chicago.In this episode, Wendy speaks with host ⁠⁠Christian Solorzano⁠⁠ about her journey from fine arts to graphic design, exploring how her family's rich storytelling tradition has shaped her visual language and artistic vision. She shares insights into her creative

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01:07:41

078 • AGGIE TOPPINS

Underscore ·

2025/04/14

Our guest is Aggie Toppins, a designer and educator who explores the origins, impact, and evolution of visual communication. She is an Associate Professor and Chair of Design at Washington University in St. Louis.In this episode, Aggie speaks with host Christian Solorzano about her journey from commercial design in Chicago to academia, exploring how her working-class upbringing in Ohio shaped her approach to design and education. She shares insights about her creative process—how she addresses the

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00:59:30

077 • ANDREW DEMBITZ

Underscore ·

2025/03/31

Our guest is ⁠⁠Andrew Dembitz⁠,⁠ a paper specialist, creative consultant, and founder of ⁠Resource Engine Group⁠, who has been championing the value of printed media in Chicago for over 30 years.In this episode, Andrew speaks with host ⁠⁠Christian Solorzano⁠⁠ about his journey from the fashion industry to becoming a respected voice in Chicago's paper and printing community. He shares insights about the unique properties of paper that digital media cannot replicate—its tactile qualities,

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00:41:07

076 • JEFFREY HITCHENS

Underscore ·

2025/03/17

Our guest is Jeffrey Hitchens, a photographer, designer, and community builder who moved to Chicago in 2011 after studying journalism in Long Beach, California.In this episode, Jeffrey speaks with host Christian Solorzano about his journey from photojournalism to graphic design, exploring how his background in telling visual stories shapes his approach to design work. He shares insights about his creative process—how he addresses client needs and his thoughtful perspective on community

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01:07:44

075 • VIOLET LUCZAK

Underscore ·

2025/03/03

Our guest is Violet Luczak, an artist, educator, and designer who currently directs the graphic design program at McHenry County College.In this episode, Violet speaks with host Christian Solorzano and co-host Hamid Alavi about her journey from graphic design to fine art, exploring how her formal design training influences her distinctive painting style. She shares insights about her creative process—collecting words and phrases as inspiration rather than beginning with visual references—and her

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01:14:00

074 • CRIS HERNÁNDEZ

Underscore ·

2025/02/17

Our guest is Cris Hernández, a type designer and researcher currently based in New York, working on expanding typography support for indigenous languages and underrepresented communities through various collaborative projects.In this episode, Cris speaks with host Christian Solorzano about his journey from being captivated by anime symbols as a child to his current research in typography. He shares insights about the importance of understanding where our design knowledge comes from and his work with

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00:45:44

073 • LAUREN GALLAGHER

Underscore ·

2025/02/03

Our guest is Lauren Gallagher, a Chicago-based designer and founder of Something Else Studio, a shape-shifting creative practice working with like-minded clients and collaborators.In this episode, Lauren speaks with host Christian Solorzano about her path from early design explorations to running her own studio, and how launching just before the pandemic shaped her approach to work. She shares insights on building a practice that aligns with her values while fostering meaningful

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01:07:02

072 • NATHANIEL HAEFNER

Underscore ·

2025/01/20

Our guest is ⁠Nathaniel Haefner⁠, a Chicago-based designer and educator who teaches graphic design while exploring the intersections of typography, web development, and music.In this episode, Nathaniel speaks with host ⁠Christian Solorzano⁠ about his journey from engineering student to design educator, and how his systematic approach shapes both his creative work and teaching. He shares insights on creating tools for others, whether through type design, web development, or music synthesis, and how

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01:12:24

071 • CHRIS EICHENSEER

Underscore ·

2025/01/06

Our guest is Chris Eichenseer, a Chicago-based designer and founder of Someoddpilot Design Studio and Public Works Gallery.In this episode, Chris speaks with host Christian Solorzano about his journey from thrash metal bands to building one of Chicago's most distinctive design studios. He shares insights on creative fearlessness, building mythology through design, and how maintaining a rebellious spirit shapes his approach to underground and corporate projects. Chris speaks about his deep

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01:05:46

070 • ROBERT ROBBINS

Underscore ·

2024/12/23

Our guest is Robert Robbins, a Chicago-based designer and creative director at City Church Chicago. In this episode, Robert speaks with host Christian Solorzano about his journey from skateboarding culture to creative leadership, and how these experiences have shaped his approach to mentoring the next generation of designers. Robert shares his perspective on creating spaces where creativity can flourish and why vulnerability is essential in leadership. Robert speaks about his deep connection to

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00:38:15

069 • END OF 2024

Underscore ·

2024/12/09

Today, we share a special Underscore episode with some of the Chicago Graphic Design Club team: Cheryl, Alexis, Jeffrey, and Christian. Together, we reflect on 2024, all that we’ve accomplished, and our vision for 2025.We also spend time reading over comments from our community survey, giving you a glimpse into how the CGDC operates and works behind the scenes. As usual, thank you for listening and for all your support this year. It means a lot, and you are the reason why we do this. Enjoy the

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01:00:03

068 • ANTONIO GARCIA

Underscore ·

2024/11/25

Our guest is ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Antonio Garcia, a Chicago-based designer, Chief Innovation & Strategy Officer at TXI, and Founder of Dadwell.In this episode, Antonio speaks with host ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Christian Solorzano⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ about the intersection of business, strategy, and design and their value in creating outcomes rooted in intellectual curiosity and reason. Antonio speaks about his love for Chicago and his trajectory as a designer for over two decades. He shares

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00:37:22

067 • HAMID ALAVI

Underscore ·

2024/11/11

Our guest is ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Hamid Alavi, a Chicago-based graphic designer, and Chicago Graphic Design Club programming team member. In this episode, Hamid speaks with host ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Christian Solorzano⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ about his multimedia creative practices, moving to the US from Iran, his research methods, Chicago, the importance of self-initiated projects, and much more. Music by the band ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Eighties

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00:55:39

066 • ALEXIS GONZALEZ

Underscore ·

2024/10/28

Our guest is ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Alexis Gonzalez, a Chicago-based graphic designer, and Chicago Graphic Design Club programming team member. In this episode, Alexis speaks with host ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Christian Solorzano⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ about her introduction to graphic design through a computer program she learned in the first grade and her thoughts on what the responsibility of a graphic designer is. She shares insight into how her identity as a Mexican-American shapes and influences how she sees

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00:57:00

065 • TONY BYNUM

Underscore ·

2024/10/14

Our guest is ⁠⁠⁠Tony Bynum, Associate Professor of Practice and Director of the ID Executive Academy at Illinois Tech's Institute of Design (ID). In this episode, Bynum speaks with host ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Christian Solorzano⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ about the role of design as a philosophy and agent for change. We discuss the importance of creating meaning through our work and collaboration, the qualities that make up the leadership required to shape the future, technology, learning

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00:58:15

064 • MIRA KIDA

Underscore ·

2024/09/30

Our guest is ⁠Mira Kida, a Chicago-based recruiter and design collaborator. In this episode, Mira speaks with host ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Christian Solorzano⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ about her background growing up in her family's art supplies business — and how that led to an appreciation for creativity/design. Today, she's a recruiter and shares advice on how designers can craft a compelling story and portfolio that can get them to do work that aligns with their values and vision. We discuss the

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01:16:22

063 • CHRIS LEATHER

Underscore ·

2024/09/16

Our guest is Chris Leather, a Chicago-based graphic designer currently working at The University of Chicago’s Physical Sciences Division as Director of Graphic Arts. In this episode, Chris speaks with host ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Christian Solorzano⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ about his introduction to graphic design, background in concert posters in the 90s, publication design, and his move to Chicago from Knoxville. He shares the power of experimentation, making a mess, his obsession with typography and

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102 results

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