Our guest is ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sabine Lenz, founder of Paper Specs, an organization and community dedicated to print, paper, and graphic design.

In this episode, Sabine speaks with host ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Christian Solorzano⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ about the power of printing and the ways in which designers can cut through today’s digital noise by working with paper, ink, and printers. Sabine shares her love for craft with us and explains her definition of quality, plus the story of Paper Spec’s origin and much more.

Sabine will be hosting Paper Specs Live in Chicago on September 26th — and listeners can use discount code CGDC24 when purchasing tickets here.

Music by the band ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Eighties Slang⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Our guest is ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠designer George Aye, Co-Founder and Co-Executive Director of Greater Good Studio.

In this episode, George speaks with host ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Christian Solorzano⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ about the ethos that drives Greater Good Studio's social mission to use design as an agent for change. Together, they talk about the importance of defining what “good” means within the context and practice of the design, craft, and discipline, the importance of speaking up, and the courage it takes to stand up for your values. George shares personal stories about the ethical dilemma designers often face when working on projects that conflict with one's moral compass and ways to tune in to the “voice in our head” to produce ethically sound work in alignment with what matters to us — and much more.

Music by the band ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Eighties Slang⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Our guest is ⁠⁠⁠graphic designer, educator, and founder of Studio Bema, Michal Janicki.

In this episode, Michal speaks with host ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Christian Solorzano⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ about moving to Chicago from Poland at the age of 13, his introduction to art, design, and creativity — and how they were forms of expression and self-discovery, which eventually led to a career in graphic design. Michal also shares his perspective on emerging technologies, specifically AI, and how he's experimenting and incorporating them into personal projects. We also hear about his approach to teaching and thoughts on design's role across culture and society, and much more.

Music by the band ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Eighties Slang⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Our guest is ⁠graphic designer and co-founder of Studio Apertif, Denny Liu.

In this episode, Denny speaks with host ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Christian Solorzano⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ about the journey to co-founding Studio Apertif alongside his wife and the reality, challenges, and victories. We also hear about his introduction to design, from drawing his favorite band logos on his binder to being raised by an industrial designer who encouraged technical and artistic skills. We also discuss trends, the design industry, inspiration, Chicago, etc.

Music by the band ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Eighties Slang⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Our guest is Newberry Library graphic designer educator ⁠Andrea Villasenor.

In this episode, Andrea speaks with host ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Christian Solorzano⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ about her fascination with libraries going back to her childhood. We learn about her interests in graphic design, typography research, and history and how they inspire her work, process, and approach to teaching. She shares her thoughts on AI, self-discovery, aesthetics, Chicago, theory, craft, practice, and how design shapes culture.

Music by the band ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Eighties Slang⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Our guest is graphic designer and photographer Johnny Mei.

In this episode, Johnny speaks with host ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Christian Solorzano⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ about his unconventional path into the world of graphic design — starting with his fascination with browsing magazines at Tower Records. Johnny’s creative output is multidisciplinary, and we learn about his approach to self-initiating projects such as his photography series, Imperfect Day, T-shirts for Charity, and most recently, his online archive of inspiration, Internet Found. We also discuss the graphic design industry, the importance of both breaking and following rules and so much more. 

Music by the band ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Eighties Slang⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

On this episode of Underscore, we celebrate four years of the Chicago Graphic Design Club. Host ⁠⁠⁠⁠Christian Solorzano⁠ reflects on the impact of CGDC alongside team members Alexis Gonzalez, Carson Koppin, Cheryl Bever, Jeffrey Hitchens, and Hamid Alavi.

We discuss what community means to us and how the Chicago Graphic Design Club has shaped our relationship to design. We share memories and our vision for the future.

Music by the band ⁠⁠⁠⁠Eighties Slang⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Our guests are Rotimi and Candace Solola of the Chicago-based multidisciplinary design studio, SO Dsgn.

In this episode, they speak with host ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Christian Solorzano⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ about how they bring a unique approach to brand and industrial design. Together, we dive deep into their collaborative process and approach, the origins of their studio, and much more.

Music by the band ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Eighties Slang⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Our guest is ⁠Vida Sačić Chicago-based, artist, typographer, and design educator. 

In this episode, Vida speaks with host ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Christian Solorzano⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ about using letterpress materials to explore language, process, and meaning-making. Vida shares her perspective on teaching and the importance of being passionate about the work you teach. Together, they also discuss hope and optimism and their roles within creativity and much more.

Music by the band ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Eighties Slang⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Our guest is Chuck Anderson of ⁠⁠Chicago-based creative practice No Pattern Studio

In this episode, Chuck speaks with host ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Christian Solorzano⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and co-host Carson Koppin about his introduction to the internet and creative cultures beyond the Midwest, the importance of routine, physical health, social media, and the influential early internet culture blog The Brilliance.

Music by the band ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Eighties Slang⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.