Underscore

The Chicago Graphic Design Club
  • 5.0 (10)
  • DESIGN
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY
Underscore

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.

  1. 078 • AGGIE TOPPINS

    APR 14

    078 • AGGIE TOPPINS

    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.

    1h 8m
  2. 077 • ANDREW DEMBITZ

    MAR 31

    077 • ANDREW DEMBITZ

    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.

    1 hr
  3. 076 • JEFFREY HITCHENS

    MAR 17

    076 • JEFFREY HITCHENS

    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.

    41 min
  4. 075 • VIOLET LUCZAK

    MAR 3

    075 • VIOLET LUCZAK

    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.

    1h 8m
  5. 074 • CRIS HERNÁNDEZ

    FEB 17

    074 • CRIS HERNÁNDEZ

    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.

    1h 14m
  6. 073 • LAUREN GALLAGHER

    FEB 3

    073 • LAUREN GALLAGHER

    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.

    46 min
  7. 072 • NATHANIEL HAEFNER

    JAN 20

    072 • NATHANIEL HAEFNER

    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.

    1h 7m
  8. 071 • CHRIS EICHENSEER

    JAN 6

    071 • CHRIS EICHENSEER

    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.

    1h 12m
See All (78)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
10 Ratings

About

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.

Information

  • Creator
    The Chicago Graphic Design Club
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2025
  • Episodes
    78
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © The Chicago Graphic Design Club
  • Show Website
    Underscore

You Might Also Like

To listen to explicit episodes, sign in.

Stay up to date with this show

Sign in or sign up to follow shows, save episodes, and get the latest updates.
Select a country or region

Africa, Middle East, and India

Asia Pacific

Europe

Latin America and the Caribbean

The United States and Canada