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 information

Pedro's Website

Pedro's Instagram

Learn 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.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

• https://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.