Underscore

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 collaborations. Lauren speaks about her deep connection to Chicago's creative community, finding inspiration beyond design circles, growth, and learning. She shares with us how her grandfather's memory influenced her studio's name and philosophy. Music by the band ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Eighties Slang⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

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 embracing failure leads to authentic creative growth. Nathaniel speaks about his deep connection to experimental typography and systematic design, from his early days teaching at Texas State to his current role fostering the next generation of designers in Chicago. He shares with us how memory, identity, and failure inform his creative practice and teaching philosophy. Music by the band Eighties Slang.

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 connection to Chicago's DIY creative community, from his early days making album covers to his current work fostering collaborative environments. He opens up about the intersection of music, design, and entrepreneurship and how creating spaces for fearless ideation has shaped Someoddpilot's unique creative culture. Music by the band Eighties Slang.

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 Chicago's creative community, from his early days in the punk rock scene to his current role building creative talent. He shares with us how faith, resilience, and a commitment to serving others have guided his path, and how these values translate into building strong creative teams and meaningful work. Contact Robert at robert@thisisegg.com. Music by the band ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Eighties Slang⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

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 conversation, and if you enjoy this show, please rate it, share it with your friends, and subscribe to it wherever you listen. Music by the band ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Eighties Slang⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

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 with us how hope and his lived experience come across through his work and how that has translated into his involvement in Chicago’s design community through initiatives such as mentorship, programming, and giving back. Music by the band ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Eighties Slang⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

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 Slang⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

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 the world — and how she seeks fulfillment in freelance projects outside of her day job. As a lifelong soccer player, she also discusses how soccer teaches her life lessons centered around community, discipline, growth, and much more. Music by the band ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Eighties Slang⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

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 methodologies, and much more. Music by the band ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Eighties Slang⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

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 state of the design industry and the importance of adapting to a changing world with resiliency, discipline, and authenticity. Music by the band ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Eighties Slang⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.