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.studio
www.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 links
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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 inspiration led to the creation of Template Gothic—one of the most influential typefaces of the 1990s.
Barry discusses his role reshaping Ray Gun magazine's visual identity, his collaboration with Thirst Type, and the experimental typography movement that defined an era. He opens up about how meditation and yoga have profoundly shaped his creative practice, offering candid perspectives on confidence, imposter syndrome, and what he calls his "easy knowingness."
The conversation explores Barry's thoughts on AI as a creative tool, his experience teaching design students in suburban Florida, and why he believes designers need to venture beyond comfortable environments to develop their visual vocabulary. Barry also reflects on Chicago's influence on his work, his recent website redesign, and his philosophy that embracing all parts of yourself creates a more compelling creative package.
Music by the band Eighties Slang.
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 to fine art, and his meticulous process of photographing, deconstructing, and reconstructing architectural forms.
Jamie discusses his recent move to a new studio at MANA Contemporary, his "Sibling Revelry" exhibition in Nashville, and his Type Force installation. We explore how his background in printmaking influences his current work with surfaces and materials, his morning ritual of walking through Wicker Park, and why he chooses hands-on creation in an increasingly digital world.
The conversation delves into Jamie's philosophy of preserving architectural history, his approach to craft and detail, and how he balances commercial design work at Surprise Media with his artistic practice. Jamie reflects on the role of intuition versus strategy in creative work, the importance of surface in art-making, and his upcoming plans for art fairs throughout the Midwest.
Music by the band Eighties Slang.
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 process—how she navigates different mediums, from oil painting to digital work—and her perspective on publishing her work through her website rather than social media platforms.
She discusses the importance of following intuition in her creative practice, offering candid perspectives on overcoming creative blocks and finding renewal through exploring the intersection of art and science.
The conversation delves into Wendy's personal manifesto, which encompasses principles such as "feel everything," "preserve your peace," and "always return to love." Wendy shares how finding joy through embracing all aspects of herself, including her mischievous side, has influenced her creative explorations.
Music by Eighties Slang.
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 tensions between client work and personal expression, and her thoughtful perspective on teaching as a practice of freedom.
Aggie discusses her evolution as a designer, from her early years working with clients like the Chicago History Museum to developing her values-driven approach to design history and education. She talks about the importance of creating joyful, empowering classroom experiences, offering candid perspectives on challenging conventional wisdom and finding purpose amid today's complex landscape.
The conversation explores Aggie's research interests and her book "Thinking Through Graphic Design History," which examines how historical thinking can foster socially engaged, critical design practices. Her writing has appeared in prestigious design publications including Design and Culture, Design Issues, Slanted, Eye, and AIGA Eye on Design. Aggie shares how finding joy through connecting with students has influenced her creative explorations.
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, permanence, and emotional impact. Andrew discusses his experience organizing paper shows in Chicago, his role as a consultant helping designers make appropriate paper choices, and how he built his reputation as "Chicago's paper person."
The conversation explores Andrew's current ventures, including Resource Engine Group and his newly launched "Smart Threads" wardrobe consulting service. Andrew offers candid thoughts on the state of the paper industry today, expressing optimism while acknowledging the challenges of a changing marketplace. He also reveals his passions beyond paper—baseball, pop culture, antique toy collecting, and philanthropic work with organizations like Marwen and Bernie's Book Bank.
Music by the band Eighties Slang.
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 building.
Jeffrey discusses his evolution as a designer, from receiving his first camera from his brother to developing his values-driven design practice. He talks about the importance of mindfulness in his work and life, offering candid perspectives on navigating the contradictions we all face as creative professionals.
The conversation explores Jeffrey's personal values—creating, discovery, purpose, meaningful work, mindfulness, intimacy, and uniqueness—and how these principles guide both his client work and personal projects. Jeffrey shares how finding joy through accepting all parts of himself, including heavier emotions, has influenced his creative explorations.
Music by the band Eighties Slang.
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 transition away from commercial design.
Violet discusses her evolution as an artist, from her surrealist dairy-themed work to her current experiments with three-dimensional and interactive pieces. She talks about the influence of Chicago Imagists on her work and offers candid perspectives on building community within Chicago's vibrant art scene.
The conversation explores Violet's newest chapter: opening a storefront studio that she hopes will become more than just a workspace—a hub for creative community engagement and collaboration.
Music by the band Eighties Slang.
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 Indigenous communities to preserve and develop their writing systems.
Cris talks about his experiences across different design communities in Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York while offering valuable perspectives on representation in design. He shares his vision for a more inclusive typography landscape with us and his recent launch of Get a Type foundry.
Music by the band Eighties Slang.
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.
