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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

00:34:16

095 • 2025 WRAPPED

Underscore ·

2025/12/08

Today, we share a conversation between Christian Solorzano and Cheryl Bever as they celebrate five years of the Chicago Graphic Design Club and reflect on 2025.In this year-end episode, Christian and Cheryl discuss personal milestones, the club's growth, and what success really means—the friendships formed and genuine connections made within Chicago's design community. They reflect on their partnership and share their vision for 2026: expanding the team, hosting more studio tours, and continuing to

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01:14:55

094 • PEDRO NEVES

Underscore ·

2025/11/24

Our guest is ⁠Pedro Neves⁠, a designer, educator, and researcher at the University of Illinois Chicago whose work explores the intersection of modular systems, typography, and emerging technologies.In this episode, Pedro speaks with host ⁠Christian Solorzano⁠ about his ambitious research project "A to Z: Learning Through Lego and Letter Forms"—a collaborative endeavor with 36 international designers that investigates modular letter form design through accessible systems. He shares the

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01:11:12

093 • JJ SALGADO

Underscore ·

2025/11/10

Our guest is JJ Salgado, a recent Columbia College Chicago graduate, designer, and the newest member of the Chicago Graphic Design Club team.In this episode, JJ speaks with host Christian Solorzano about his journey through design education and into Chicago's creative community. JJ discusses the pivotal role mentorship has played in his development, particularly his relationships with designers like Robert Robbins, Amira Hegazy, Dave Pabellon, and Guy Villa, and how attending community

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01:11:12

092 • BLAZE SMITH

Underscore ·

2025/10/27

Our guest is Blaze Smith, a web designer and content creator who has built an audience of 80,000 followers by making web design education accessible through short-form video content. In this episode, Blaze speaks with host Christian Solorzano about going from a small town to becoming a recognizable voice in web design education on social media. He shares insights about his creative process—how he scripts his videos and manages perfectionism.Blaze discusses his evolution as a designer, from

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01:02:29

091 • DAVE PABELLON

Underscore ·

2025/10/13

In this episode of Underscore, host Christian Solorzano speaks with Dave Pabellon, a designer, educator, and core organizer of the Design As Protest Collective, about his journey leading up to his current role as Assistant Professor of Design at Notre Dame.He reflects on his father's paradoxical advice to "be good, but not very good"—a philosophy that has shaped his humble approach to design and teaching.The conversation explores the challenges facing design education today, including

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01:19:06

090 • MATT AVERY

Underscore ·

2025/09/29

Our guest is Matt Avery, founder of Monograph, a Chicago-based design studio specializing in publishing and typography. After 14 years as Principal Designer at the University of Chicago Press, where he designed The Chicago Manual of Style, 17th Edition, Matt launched his independent practice in 2018.Matt joins host Christian Solorzano to discuss his journey from engineering dropout to book designer, how Emigre magazine shaped his early design thinking, and why he has moved from constantly trying new

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01:04:33

089 • JOSÉ ROSA

Underscore ·

2025/09/15

Our guest is José Rosa, a Chicago-based graphic designer, DJ, and artist. They join host ⁠Christian Solorzano⁠ to talk about their journey from Milwaukee and Puerto Rico to Chicago’s creative scene, and how magazines like The Source and Vogue sparked their path into design. José shares how their Caribbean upbringing shaped their vibrant aesthetic, why they push back against minimalism, and how their current work—exhibitions and workshops on reimagining identity—centers on decolonizing Puerto Rican

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01:09:31

088 • ASHLEY BEDORE

Underscore ·

2025/09/01

Our guest is Ashley Bedore, a graphic designer and illustrator working at Lincoln Park Zoo.In this episode, Ashley speaks with host Christian Solorzano about her journey from studying illustration at Columbia College Chicago to discovering graphic design through album cover artwork and concert posters. She shares insights about her creative process and her evolution from production designer to leading illustration projects at one of Chicago's cultural institutions.Ashley discusses her experience

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01:00:26

087 • SUN SEGURA

Underscore ·

2025/08/18

Our guest is Sun Segura, Managing Director of design studio Segura and the digital type foundry T26. She is also the founder and curator of AHA Time, a nonprofit organization focused on promoting essential core values.In this episode, Sun speaks with host Christian Solorzano about her journey from growing up in South Korea to leading two companies that helped shape the digital design landscape.The conversation centers on Sun's exploration of values and their impact on society. She discusses how her

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01:02:39

086 • SUZIE SHIN

Underscore ·

2025/08/04

Our guest is ⁠Suzie Shin⁠, a designer, educator, and artist who moved to Chicago after studying at RISD, drawn by the city's community of small design studios and creative collaboration.In this episode, Suzie speaks with host ⁠Christian Solorzano⁠ about her journey from aspiring illustrator to discovering her voice through collage and color. She shares insights about her analog-to-digital design process, where handmade work becomes the foundation for larger-scale projects, and how she creates

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00:51:51

085 • BETSY SCHUSTER

Underscore ·

2025/07/21

Our guest is Betsy Schuster, a type designer and founder of Queer Type, an independent type design studio based in the Detroit area. Originally from suburban Michigan, Betsy discovered his calling in typography after studying graphic design and darkroom photography.In this episode, Betsy speaks with host Christian Solorzano about his evolution from graphic designer to specialized type designer, exploring how his background in visual storytelling and photography shaped his approach to letterforms. He

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01:11:51

084 • RICK VALICENTI & CHRISTIAN SOLORZANO

Underscore ·

2025/07/07

Video available on ⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠. Search, The Chicago Graphic Design Club.—Today's episode is a conversation between Rick Valicenti and Christian Solorzano about the production of the Chicago Graphic Design Club's second issue of their publication, Faculty. In this episode, they share stories about their collaboration and memorable highlights that center around craft and designing a publication that pushes boundaries and reflects today's graphic landscape across

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01:01:30

083 • CRISTOBAL MORA

Underscore ·

2025/06/23

Video available on ⁠YouTube⁠ and ⁠Spotify⁠. Search, The Chicago Graphic Design Club.—Our guest is ⁠⁠Cristobal⁠⁠ Mora, co-founder of ⁠⁠Bueno Days⁠⁠, the community-centered coffee shop and creative space in Chicago's Little Village neighborhood. As a photographer, graphic designer, and community builder, Cristobal represents a new generation of Mexican-American creatives shaping Chicago's cultural landscape.In this episode, Cristobal speaks with host ⁠⁠Christian Solorzano⁠⁠ about his

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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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