Underscore

Our guest is Nicolette Stosur-Bassett, a business strategist and communications professional working primarily in the social impact space. In 2018, she founded Do It Better Design, a Chicago-based branding and communication studio. She graduated with a BA in Social Enterprise and an MA in Social Innovation and Sustainability from Goddard College.  In 2022, she spoke with the Chicago Graphic Design Club about her project, Designing For, an examination of the ways in which the global pandemic shaped the personal practices of designers and their approach to community engagement.  In this episode, Nicolette speaks with host ⁠⁠Christian Solorzano⁠ ⁠about her approach to learning, the meaning of socially conscious work, graphic design's relationship with communication, and more. Music by the band ⁠⁠Eighties Slang⁠⁠.

Our guests are Dan McManus and Sofya Karash, partners in both life and business. Together, they run the design studio, the Narrative. Both as educators and designers, they are committed to contributing to and advancing culture through graphic design. Their expertise lies in storytelling and multidisciplinary visual communication languages — relying heavily on research and collaborations, they visualize their clients' narratives.  In this episode, Dan and Sofya speak with host Christian Solorzano about their Chicago roots, creative inspiration, the meaning of community, and more. Music by the band Eighties Slang.

Our guest is Tanner Woodford, Executive Director and Founder of the Design Museum of Chicago. Woodford has been a key figure in Chicago’s design community for over a decade, creating spaces for critical dialogue, connection, and inspiration. He’s an optimist by nature and a believer that design has the capacity to improve the human condition. In addition, he’s an educator, artist, muralist, and coin collector. In this episode, Woodford speaks with host Christian Solorzano and shares stories about his early introduction to graphic design, the beginning of the Design Museum of Chicago, his influences, and ways to strengthen design's role throughout the city. Music by the band Eighties Slang.

A conversation with Christian Solorzano, Founder of the Chicago Graphic Design Club. In this episode, the host, Patrick Smith asks Christian about the inception of CGDC and the ways in which he's fostering and building a design community in Chicago.  Theme music by the band, Eighties Slang.

Our guest is Oscar Solis, a designer, researcher, and educator who was born and raised in Pilsen and has called Chicago home for most of his life.In this episode, Oscar speaks with host Christian Solorzano about his journey from clinical research science at UChicago to pursuing graduate work in design. He shares how receiving a camera from his mother at eleven sparked his love of visual storytelling, and how co-founding Film Front—a micro-cinema in an old Pilsen barbershop—became his first real design education.Oscar discusses his philosophy of co-design, tracing it back to 1970s Scandinavian political activism and explaining why top-down approaches to community work never sat right with him, even as a kid. He talks about non-hierarchical pedagogy, what it means to create "queer diagrammatic forms," and why he identifies as a capital-D Designer whose Mexican and queer identities inform but don't define his practice.The conversation explores Oscar's current work at Chicago Art Department, his exhibition "Diagrams and Systems," and why Chicago's sense of community keeps him rooted here. Oscar shares his thoughts on fear and passivity among young designers, the importance of being weird, and why joy might be a political act.Music by the band Eighties Slang.

Our guest is Mary Foyder, a designer working on trauma-responsive and healing-centered projects, including Braver Collective, an online healing community for survivors of sexual trauma.In this episode, Mary speaks with host Christian Solorzano about her journey from Western Michigan University's professional pilot program to discovering graphic design, and how she developed her collaborative, human-centered approach to design. She shares insights about co-designing platforms with the communities they serve—particularly young people navigating sexual health, reproductive justice, and bodily autonomy.Mary discusses her evolution as a designer, from her early curiosity about why design decisions get made to developing trauma-informed practices that center survivor voices. She talks about what it means to design healing-centered platforms, including her five-year collaboration building Braver Collective alongside survivors who co-designed every aspect of the organization.The conversation explores the complexities of doing social impact work in politically volatile times—navigating the financial precarity of values-driven practice and the challenges of running an independent design practice. Mary opens up about projects like Bedsider for Power to Decide and the CHAT Program for the Chicago Department of Public Health, and discusses finding ways to sustain meaningful work while raising a family in Chicago.She shares candid perspectives on co-design as genuine partnership rather than extraction, and why designers working with vulnerable communities must understand how trauma shapes human experience and behavior.Music by the band Eighties Slang.

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 highlight voices across the city.Enjoy the conversation, and if you enjoy this show, please rate it, share it with your friends, and subscribe to it wherever you listen.Learn more at:www.chicagograhicdesign.club

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 journey that began as a classroom assignment and culminated in an unexpected visit to Lego's headquarters in Denmark, where the project now resides in their permanent archives.Pedro discusses his path from Portugal to Basel's prestigious design programs, where he spent nearly two years working on the Wolfgang Weingart design archive. He reflects on the mythology of Swiss design, the warmth and human-centered approach he experienced in Basel that contrasts with rigid perceptions of Swiss methodology, and how those formative experiences shape his teaching philosophy at UIC.The conversation explores what "experimental design" truly means—whether it's an aesthetic, attitude, or process—and why Pedro believes experimentation requires intention and structure rather than random exploration. He opens up about his evolution as a designer who once hated drawing classes but found his calling in design's blend of scientific methods and creative problem-solving. Pedro shares insights about teaching typography through constraints, his philosophy on learning to code as another form of craft, and why Chicago's vibrant printmaking community at venues like Public Works, Sputnik, and through organizations like the Chicago Printers Guild has become central to his creative practice.Throughout the episode, Pedro offers candid perspectives on navigating the challenges of balancing teaching, research, and personal work, finding community in a city he's called home since 2019, and building meaningful creative projects in academia.The exhibition "A to Z: Learning Through Lego and Letter Forms" is on display at the Design Museum of Chicago through January 11th.More informationPedro's WebsitePedro's InstagramLearn about the Chicago Graphic Design Club

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 events—from the Chicago Design Archive talks to CGDC gatherings—opened doors and shaped his understanding of what it means to be part of a creative ecosystem.The conversation explores JJ's love of cohesive brand systems, his philosophy of "witnessing"—slowing down to pay attention to details and people around him—and the importance of being physically and mentally present, including his practice of walking Chicago's neighborhoods without headphones. JJ shares his vision for documenting Chicago's creative community through social media, his commitment to making design spaces more welcoming for the next generation, and his excitement about deepening his roots in the city.Relevant links:https://salgadostudio.com/https://www.instagram.com/jjsalgadoiii/https://chicagographicdesign.club/

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 discovering design through skateboard graphics and video game interfaces to landing a UX internship and eventually launching Shovel Studio. He talks about the importance of taking action over overthinking, offering candid perspectives on building in public and interacting with audiences.The conversation explores Blaze's approach to branding—why his Bruce Lee profile picture isn't going anywhere, how he builds associations between his work and cultural icons, and his philosophy that "branding is putting something cool next to your brand until people think your brand is cool." Relevant Links: www.shovel.studiowww.chicagographicdesign.club

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 students' tendency toward outcome-driven thinking over experimentation, the current threats to DEI work and the complexities of creating truly inclusive spaces, and Dave's belief that designers hold more power than they realize to amplify voices and create clarity in complex times, all while emphasizing the importance of community, self-care, and practicing design with intention.

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 typefaces to relying on a trusted palette he knows intimately. They explore the craft of book design—from cast-offs and justification to the subjective chaos of cover design feedback—and the myths about what makes covers sell (spoiler: nobody really knows).Beyond design, Matt shares his volunteer work as a TreeKeeper with Openlands, how pruning trees connects to typography principles, his dormant photographic collage practice, and why the best creative moment is that first sketch when you know an idea will work. They also reflect on the intersection of nature and design, the importance of protecting creative time, and finding balance between client work and personal expression.Related linkshttps://monograph.studio/https://mattavery.design/https://mattavery.net/

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 and queer identity. They also reflect on the younger generation’s unapologetic self-expression and fight for change.

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 teaching at Columbia College and the challenges and rewards of designing for a zoo's diverse departments, from development campaigns to event promotion. The conversation explores how becoming a mother has transformed Ashley's creative practice, making her more efficient and decisive in her work. She opens up about her current exploration of oil painting as a response to our digital-centered industry and her approach to leading teams that flourish creatively.Ashley shares her perspective on the importance of young designers finding their unique voice and niche, rather than trying to do everything. She discusses what it's like working at a cultural institution, her love for Chicago's supportive creative community, and her ongoing journey to balance professional work with personal artistic exploration.

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 South Korean upbringing shaped her perspective on leadership and community, and how these principles guide her work. Sun shares insights about building organizations that prioritize meaningful impact and how personal values can drive systemic change.To submit a poster to our call for submissions, see details here.

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 parameters that allow for intuitive flow.Suzie discusses her experience as a new typography instructor at DePaul University and how persistence led to her internship at the renowned Chicago studio, Thirst. She opens up about her current collaboration with Rick Valicenti on an Alexander Girard exhibition in Columbus, Indiana, and how Girard's approach to color and joy influences her own pursuit of work.The conversation explores Suzie's creative philosophy—using collage as a thinking tool rather than an end goal—and her current transition away from traditional graphic design toward fine art and textiles. She reflects on finding balance between making and documenting, the challenges of graphic design's increasing association with marketing, and what grounds her outside the studio: reading, cooking, and learning to quilt.

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 shares insights about his creative process, from late-night design sessions surrounded by sketches to finding inspiration in everything from handwriting to songwriters like PJ Harvey.Betsy discusses his recent typeface "Antiphony," released through Future Fonts, and his philosophy of pushing typographic boundaries while maintaining legibility. The conversation explores his expansion beyond fonts into jewelry design and textile work using his grandmother's fabrics, reflecting on how personal history and values inform creative practice.He opens up about the challenges of having diverse creative interests—from wanting to work with indigenous scripts to exploring fashion and ceramics—while building a focused type design practice. The episode touches on themes of creative identity, finding your calling, and the intersection of personal values with professional practice in the design world.

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 Chicago.

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 unconventional path from photography to graphic design through side projects rather than formal art education. He explores the complexities of Mexican-American identity and how cultural duality informs both his personal practice and community work.Cristobal discusses his evolution from documenting Chicago's South Side music scene to creating ⁠⁠Bueno Days⁠⁠ as a third space that celebrates authenticity without cultural tropes. He shares insights about building meaningful connections through design, the importance of giving yourself permission to pursue your vision, and his philosophy that everyone is a photographer with a unique perspective worth sharing.The conversation explores his approach to mentorship, the intersection of survival and creativity as an independent business owner, and his belief that graphic design is everywhere—making it a craft worthy of lifelong dedication. Cristobal offers candid advice for young designers navigating an uncertain industry and discusses his vision for creating community spaces where people can exist authentically.Music by the band ⁠Eighties Slang⁠.

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 architecture and design through a curious lens.Aliona discusses her evolution from childhood interests to becoming a specialist in book design, visual identities, and design curation, working with institutions. As co-author of "Znak. Ukrainian Trademarks of the 1960s–80s," she brings deep research experience to her practice.The conversation explores her visual identity work for "Constructing Hope Ukraine" at the Chicago Architecture Center and her philosophy that graphic design has become a powerful tool for diplomacy. Aliona shares her impressions of American design culture, offers advice for purpose-driven creative work, and discusses how she maintains hope and vitality when addressing difficult subject matter.Music by the band Eighties Slang.