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.