Underscore

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 composition, and his encounter with a designer, Vaughan Oliver. Chris speaks to us about his perspective on the role and responsibility of a designer, how that has played a role in his approach to teaching for over two decades, and much more. Music by the band ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Eighties Slang⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Our guests are Kim Terzis (Executive Creative Director) and Alex Sommerville (Director of Brand Development) of Simple Truth, a Chicago-based design studio. In this episode, Kim and Alex speak with host ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Christian Solorzano⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ about the importance of clarifying and understanding your simple truth and how that influences collaboration, culture, and design. They share with us how they work with clients and their teams to build an environment that fosters learning and belonging through five simple rules that include generosity, imagination, and more. Music by the band ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Eighties Slang⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Our guest is ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Valerie Craig, a Chicago-based designer and community organizer. In this episode, Valerie speaks with host ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Christian Solorzano⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ about the power of community building and its importance in creating spaces that welcome sharing experiences and insight. Valerie walks us through her introduction to graphic design and the milestones and journey along the way. She also offers advice to designers looking to differentiate themselves and gives words of encouragement to seek joy in our design practices and the work that we are doing. Additionally, she speaks about her love for Chicago, the inspiration she draws from the city and people, and so much more. Music by the band ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Eighties Slang⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Our guest is ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sabine Lenz, founder of Paper Specs, an organization and community dedicated to print, paper, and graphic design. In this episode, Sabine speaks with host ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Christian Solorzano⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ about the power of printing and the ways in which designers can cut through today’s digital noise by working with paper, ink, and printers. Sabine shares her love for craft with us and explains her definition of quality, plus the story of Paper Spec’s origin and much more. Sabine will be hosting Paper Specs Live in Chicago on September 26th — and listeners can use discount code CGDC24 when purchasing tickets here. Music by the band ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Eighties Slang⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Our guest is ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠designer George Aye, Co-Founder and Co-Executive Director of Greater Good Studio. In this episode, George speaks with host ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Christian Solorzano⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ about the ethos that drives Greater Good Studio's social mission to use design as an agent for change. Together, they talk about the importance of defining what “good” means within the context and practice of the design, craft, and discipline, the importance of speaking up, and the courage it takes to stand up for your values. George shares personal stories about the ethical dilemma designers often face when working on projects that conflict with one's moral compass and ways to tune in to the “voice in our head” to produce ethically sound work in alignment with what matters to us — and much more. Music by the band ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Eighties Slang⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Our guest is ⁠⁠⁠graphic designer, educator, and founder of Studio Bema, Michal Janicki. In this episode, Michal speaks with host ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Christian Solorzano⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ about moving to Chicago from Poland at the age of 13, his introduction to art, design, and creativity — and how they were forms of expression and self-discovery, which eventually led to a career in graphic design. Michal also shares his perspective on emerging technologies, specifically AI, and how he's experimenting and incorporating them into personal projects. We also hear about his approach to teaching and thoughts on design's role across culture and society, and much more. Music by the band ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Eighties Slang⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Our guest is ⁠graphic designer and co-founder of Studio Apertif, Denny Liu. In this episode, Denny speaks with host ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Christian Solorzano⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ about the journey to co-founding Studio Apertif alongside his wife and the reality, challenges, and victories. We also hear about his introduction to design, from drawing his favorite band logos on his binder to being raised by an industrial designer who encouraged technical and artistic skills. We also discuss trends, the design industry, inspiration, Chicago, etc. Music by the band ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Eighties Slang⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Our guest is Newberry Library graphic designer educator ⁠Andrea Villasenor. In this episode, Andrea speaks with host ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Christian Solorzano⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ about her fascination with libraries going back to her childhood. We learn about her interests in graphic design, typography research, and history and how they inspire her work, process, and approach to teaching. She shares her thoughts on AI, self-discovery, aesthetics, Chicago, theory, craft, practice, and how design shapes culture. Music by the band ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Eighties Slang⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Our guest is graphic designer and photographer Johnny Mei. In this episode, Johnny speaks with host ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Christian Solorzano⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ about his unconventional path into the world of graphic design — starting with his fascination with browsing magazines at Tower Records. Johnny’s creative output is multidisciplinary, and we learn about his approach to self-initiating projects such as his photography series, Imperfect Day, T-shirts for Charity, and most recently, his online archive of inspiration, Internet Found. We also discuss the graphic design industry, the importance of both breaking and following rules and so much more.  Music by the band ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Eighties Slang⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

On this episode of Underscore, we celebrate four years of the Chicago Graphic Design Club. Host ⁠⁠⁠⁠Christian Solorzano⁠ reflects on the impact of CGDC alongside team members Alexis Gonzalez, Carson Koppin, Cheryl Bever, Jeffrey Hitchens, and Hamid Alavi. We discuss what community means to us and how the Chicago Graphic Design Club has shaped our relationship to design. We share memories and our vision for the future. Music by the band ⁠⁠⁠⁠Eighties Slang⁠⁠⁠⁠.