Christian Solorzano [01:00]

Hello, you are listening to Underscore, a show by the Chicago Graphic Design Club. I am your host, Christian Solorzano, and today I share with you my conversation with Andrew Dembitz, founder of Resource Engine Group. And Chicago's paper specialist and creative consultant. In our discussion, Andrew walks us through his evolution from working in the fashion industry to becoming a respected voice in Chicago's paper and printing community.

Andrew shares why he believes paper is the ultimate communicator, discussing its emotional impact, permanence, and tactile qualities that digital media simply can't replicate. He opens up about organizing paper shows in Chicago, his work with leading design studios, and his newest venture into men's wardrobe consulting. He offers candid thoughts on the state of the paper industry today and why designers should advocate more strongly for print in their clients' and personal work.

Beyond his professional expertise, Andrew reveals his passion for baseball, pop culture, antique toy collecting, and his philanthropic work with organizations like Marwen and Bernie's Book Bank that champion arts and literacy in Chicago. If you enjoy these conversations, please support the show by following us on your preferred podcast platform. And leaving us a rating. It helps us reach more people in Chicago and beyond. Thank you so much for tuning in. Enjoy the conversation.

It's nice to connect with you virtually, and it's also nice to have gotten the pleasure to be connected to you through a mutual connection that both you and I have, Will Miller. And anytime that I brought up your name in any capacity, people always really hold you on a high pedestal for being kind of Chicago's paper person, paper advocate, someone that really upholds a high standard when it comes to graphic design craft.

Andrew Dembitz [03:23]

Well, it's nice to get compliments like that, so I appreciate the kind words.

Christian Solorzano [03:27]

So my question for you is, can you talk to us about your Introduction to printed media, physical media. Was there ever any, anything that left an impression on you maybe growing up that kind of put you on this trajectory of wanting to be someone that cares about design and culture?

Andrew Dembitz [03:51]

If we sort of dial the clock back a little bit. So actually for 10 years, I was in men's and women's fashion apparel. And I still have a passion for that.

And then decided it was time for something brand new. So, I took a hiatus and actually sold graphic design with 2 firms for 5 years in Chicago, which was a nice intro for me into the design process and how it works and obviously learning about paper and printing. And then got the opportunity to leave graphic design and go into the world of paper and joined LaSalle Messenger Paper Company in 1990, which is a name out of the past.

But I love the analogy because when I was doing men's and women's apparel, I was doing merchandising and buying. You're talking about working with fabrics, obviously tactile. Various colors, which really transitions beautifully into the world of paper. So obviously paper has a myriad of finishes and colors. So I had a creative slant already, and that was a nice background for me.

And then of course it just sort of, I guess, took off and blossomed, and now paper's been my life for the past 30 years or so. And I mean, paper, in my estimation, is still the best way to communicate.

Christian Solorzano [05:21]

And you're also a very fashionable guy. The listener can't see, but you're always very well dressed, always with a tie.

Andrew Dembitz [05:30]

Well, it's all about first impression, and I do love neckwear. So, yeah.

Christian Solorzano [05:34]

So what were some of your influences growing up? Can you tell us a little bit about your coming of age, childhood? What were some of your interests?

Andrew Dembitz [05:43]

Well, I was First of all, born and raised in New York, so I'm a New Yorker, but I've been in Chicago for years and went to school in the Midwest. And I think I always had a creative slant. And also, I'm a big— I love sports. So, being raised in New York, of course, it was the Yankees and the Mets from a baseball standpoint.

Still a fan. And then actually, when I went to school, I was thinking about becoming an attorney, but that didn't really work out. And obviously, here we are, years later in a whole different slant. But I think I've always liked visual mediums. I'm a big fan of pop culture from a standpoint of art and music and movies and TV. And actually, I sort of utilize a lot of that in my conversations with my design clients.

I mean, besides talking about the world of paper and printing, I like to keep it casual and find out what their interests are. And we have a nice back and forth about what we're watching, what we're streaming, our favorite movies.

Christian Solorzano [06:56]

So when you talk about paper being the best way to communicate, speak a little bit more about that. Obviously today, Most communication happens on the screen. There's still nothing like receiving a handwritten or something that's tactile that you can hold, that you can store, that you can collect in your hands. So why paper? Why does paper matter, especially for someone that— some of our listeners are people that grew up with an iPad or a computer that are from that generation where screens since day one.

So why should people care about paper?

Andrew Dembitz [07:34]

Well, to your point, it is permanent. And I think when you receive a personal note in the mail, there's a strong emotional response, more so than obviously being on a screen. I think, again, paper, again, has that tactile quality, the idea of just being able to give you that beautiful feel, which again gives you some kind of exciting or emotional response. It also is permanent. I mean, you obviously, if you get a beautiful note in the mail or a beautiful publication, you wanna keep it, hopefully.

If it's beautifully designed and printed versus where, a digital experience is fine, but it goes away, not there forever. So I think it really gets back to, again, the permanency, the tactile quality, the emotional response, and just the beauty. I mean, and who doesn't love a beautifully designed printed piece of any kind, or beautifully printed with beautiful print techniques? Nothing compares.

Christian Solorzano [08:40]

And today you run your own business, Resource Engine Group, and I would love to hear you speak about everything that led up to you kind of establishing yourself as this expert in the industry and maybe some of the work that you find yourself doing today?

Andrew Dembitz [08:59]

So again, if we dial the calendar back, I was on the corporate side working for— well, LaSalle Messenger became Unisource, then Veritiv, which was the largest paper distributor in the country and the most established paper distributor in Chicago. So Paper 101, paper mills make the paper, but a paper distributor sells and markets the paper to the customer. The customer primarily being the commercial printer. It could be a corporation, it could be a graphic designer, it could be an individual.

Working on the corporate side, again, I became I guess, a creative resource for the Chicago graphic design marketplace besides promoting and branding the various paper mills we represented, like a Sappi, like a Domtar, a Mohawk, a Neenah, a French paper, because it was important to be out there communicating to the design marketplace, and designers want to be educated and inspired.

But the second part, more importantly, was I acted, Christian, as a consultant to help the designers make the appropriate choices in paper which fit their end use.

It could be their end use, what was being done. It could be looking for a special print technique they wanted to use. Maybe it was budget-driven, or maybe environmental, which of course has become more important today. The word sustainability is very important. So I actually then would work closely with the design firm or individual to help them make the appropriate choices. And I would send them samples. We could do mockups. We could send swatch books. And then I also, on the business side, I was accountable.

I was selling paper indirectly. Unisource had a commissioned sales force that serviced the print community, and I work with printers as well. But I— my goal was to have my graphic designer, after I spent all this time and effort to recommend paper or papers and give them dummies, would be to communicate to their printer, they work with Andrew Dembitz from Unisource. I would like you to, besides speccing Sappy McCoy or Mohawk Superfine or Accent Opaque Missilvamo, I want you to buy the paper through Unisource.

Now, I could spend hours discussing that process because there's a lot of people involved to pull the paper order through, but I would work in conjunction with my specific salesperson at Unisource Veritiv that called on a printer. And then that salesperson would be aware of the project, and he or she would go in, price the project, and then hopefully communicate to the printer that we have been specified by design for an a or B.

And then hopefully the order would be placed on that specific brand and through Unisource.

Christian Solorzano [12:17]

So even though my position was really a combination marketing and sales indirectly, to better understand is a designer comes to you, they share with you project details, something that they want to get printed. And the way that you work with them is by speccing different papers, trying to understand what their goals are, what their objectives are, their budgets. And then it's— and you're saying it's a very collaborative process.

Andrew Dembitz [12:45]

Oh, definitely. I mean, yeah, really. And for me, the first question is, what's the end use of the paper? I need to know tangibly so I can visualize, is it an annual report? Is it direct mail? Is it an identity? Is it packaging? And then I know exactly, I can visualize what you or your peers are trying to do and then hopefully recommend the appropriate paper based upon, again, their design concept and various criteria, like I said, be it price.

Be it sustainability, be it a specific print technique, maybe they're looking for a specific color or finish that might add something to the concept or design.

Christian Solorzano [13:28]

And I saw that in 2016, you received an Above and Beyond Award from AIGA Chicago. And I got a chance Nice research there, Christian. And I got a chance to see some of the, some of the work that you worked on alongside I believe Nick Adam and Will Miller, who at the time were at Firebelly.

Andrew Dembitz [13:57]

Correct.

Christian Solorzano [13:58]

And Will's still there. But I remember, and this was before you and I had connected, but I remember the feeling of all those promotional materials. And the way that they would respond to the environment in which they were in. So I think even beyond paper feeling a certain way, it also is beautiful to just witness and to experience, even from a distance.

Andrew Dembitz [14:25]

No question. No question. And working with Firebelly, of course, is one of the more established groups in this marketplace, and working with Will and Nick, it actually, it was a very special piece for my paper show. It actually was, which we could talk about as well, but that was for my— it was a piece to celebrate the 25th year of my paper show in the Chicago market.

Christian Solorzano [14:53]

So what is a paper show for the people that are listening that can't wrap their head around what a paper show is? I've told people in the past that I've gone to paper shows and they just imagine that there's just a room of stacks of paper and then everything's white and that's it. But obviously it's more than that. So what is a paper show and why do they matter?

Andrew Dembitz [15:15]

Well, okay, so first of all, there are very few paper shows being done today based upon— because the marketplace has changed dramatically in the heyday of paper and print. So I, at Unisource/Veritiv I did 27 paper shows. So the first show was in 1990 when there really wasn't a paper show like that in this marketplace or even in the country. And the show developed over the years, got bigger and more established and became actually known outside of Chicago.

The design marketplace in Chicago is a real sense of community.

And you like to connect with your peers. So the event, which was the event in Chicago from a standpoint of education and inspiration, also brought the Chicago design marketplace together under one roof at the same time. So each year there was a different theme for the show that was driven by the invitation and the various materials. We would have all the paper mills, Unisource/Veritiv represented again from the Sapphies and the Frenches and the Mohawks and Ninas.

And they would set up in a, we'll say, a trade show environment with very creative booths. And they would obviously have the latest and greatest in their, specific products and promotions and swatch books. So the design marketplace could obviously tour the show and get educated. Now, I also had a keynote speaker every year, which would support the theme. So the keynote speaker would speak before the actual trade show environment opened up. Obviously, we had food and drinks, so it was a social event.

So I mean, it definitely became a place to go. So my point is, Besides education, there definitely was a social aspect to it to bring you and your peers together. And I will say, I've heard over the years on a social aspect that people did connect and hook up socially. And actually, I can track that one couple actually met at the show and got married. Now, that's just a sidebar.

So, but the I did 27 shows, and unfortunately, again, as the marketplace has changed and print has changed and there's less paper mills, my show ended after 27 years. And now you have maybe smaller events being done by individual mills, or AIGA Chicago had their first paper show end of last May, which was very successful, which I was involved in representing Sappi. And they're having a second one coming up in May as well.

So I think, being post-COVID, Christian, and we're all virtual— listen, we all crave live connection. So I think the idea of an event of any kind, whatever size it might be, people are still excited about. And the design marketplace still wants to be educated to the latest and greatest paper or print techniques or promotions that are available.

Christian Solorzano [18:36]

And I think one of the beauties I've experienced of going to the paper shows is that you get a chance to see what's possible. It's one thing to talk about the specs of a paper, and it's another thing to actually see and feel. Not just— sometimes it's, I read the paper specs online for a particular paper, and its numbers and its weights, and it feels very scientific and numerical.

But it's another thing to actually see what's possible at these paper shows and see the different colors, the different types of printing methods, different inks, different everything. There's a lot of possibility when it comes to paper. And then also you leave with bags full of really amazing stuff.

Andrew Dembitz [19:28]

Oh, it was like a— it's like a feeding frenzy. I mean, as far as— yeah, there's no question. And especially in the earlier days when paper was the only medium, and even at the end, but still, no question. It was— people left, again, with inspiration, education, something they can go home to or back to their office and sort of review at a later date and have and put into their library or their, or their, or their paper swatch book library.

Christian Solorzano [19:54]

So, and you're obviously going to know way more about this than I, but I'm curious about your thoughts on just the overall paper industry. Is it doing well? Is it like— I'm curious about how is it?

Andrew Dembitz [20:10]

I mean, I am the most optimistic person you're going to meet. I mean, standpoint. So, there's no question that the demand for paper has decreased over the last 10 years. And that's a known fact because there are other mediums to be obviously to communicate or to work with your clients on. But again, I'll say again, like we discussed earlier, that paper is the ultimate communicator. And I think, again, also there are less paper mills now. So, there are less mills on the planet to work with.

But I will say that the mills that have survived, like the Sappis of the world and the Mohawks and Ninas, very smart at what they do from a standpoint of manufacturing, marketing, and in some cases, really being philanthropic and supporting the design marketplace has helped them thrive. So from my standpoint, Yes, I would like a lot more paper and print. And I, and I will say this, that I do think there is a disconnect.

I do think that designers need to do a better job of educating their clients on why paper and print communications should be part of their campaign. So I think the corporate side has a lot of misnomers about paper. Maybe it's the cost of paper, maybe it's the impact, maybe it's the availability, maybe it's sustainability.

But I do think, and I'm not saying that, a client has to do 100% print communications, we know that's unrealistic today, but it should be part of, part of the campaign to support social media or a website or some kind of digital interaction. As we talked about before, the paper attributes are so strong to support that. I do think, again, and the mills that I work with and talk to, yes, it's challenging, but they are healthy.

Also, on the print side, I do think that the major printers, the higher-end printers, are busy, because they are— because of the kind of work they do. They are definitely, we'll say not as impacted maybe as some other mainstream printers might be that don't do the higher-end work.

Christian Solorzano [22:51]

And for, let's say, for a designer that maybe doesn't have a big budget, but they're trying to do some— to introduce some kind of print into either their personal brand or anything, even if it's just a personal project, what would you say are some points of entry for someone looking to maybe get into printing, whether it's just something small, something that's maybe not as intimidating as making a big campaign or a big book or something? What would be—

Andrew Dembitz [23:25]

I think the best place to start, I mean, could be, a corporate identity, as far as, the business card is not as used as it was years ago, but a business card sets the tone for who you are from a business standpoint and a first impression. I mean, the idea of giving a business card, it's 120-pound cover that, emits a nice emotional reaction, and it has maybe it's letterpressed or foil stamped, sets a nice tone.

And I think, so you have a business card and a letterhead, an envelope, which, reflects your company or maybe your client's company. And it's not a lot of paper, first of all, but you could spec beautiful paper and even maybe spec, work with a high-end printer or a specialty printer like a Rohner Press. And you could do engraving or letterpress or foil stamp. So, I think that would be to me, a great entree into a designer that wants to, maybe put their foot in the water.

Christian Solorzano [24:27]

It has been making me excited to see that there's people— I've been meeting more people at events lately, and I've been seeing an increase in people handing business cards, especially younger people that are still in school. And it's just such a beautiful experience to come home and you, know, empty your pockets and you got a few business cards in there and you, store them somewhere. It's a nice little memento, I would say.

Andrew Dembitz [24:54]

What a great way to communicate. Again, I mean, as far as it really— again, we're all about first impression in life, both personally and business-wise. And a business card definitely sets the tone, for who you are, who your business is.

Christian Solorzano [25:07]

So today, what's keeping you excited in your work? What are some developments, or what's something that you've been seeing lately that's been just making you really happy?

Andrew Dembitz [25:19]

Happy. Well, I mean, this is the 7th year of my business, which is really pretty wild, actually. And, my business is sort of— it has different mediums. So obviously paper is a big part of it. I also am in— I represent Rohner Press, which probably is the most unique specialty printer in Chicago and maybe in the country. And Rohner Press is a second-generation family-run business that does all the beautiful print techniques.

But again, when you work with Rohner, you're always speccing beautiful papers, and it's high-end projects, and it's beautiful techniques that I love when I'm able to work with a client and represent them and have Rohner Press help them with a solution. I also have, which is not paper related, but actually it is exciting, and it's permanent is what you call premium branded products, which would be ad specialty.

So if you needed, let's say, a corporate gift or maybe some items at a trade show or something to support a campaign, maybe it's a print and digital campaign. You want a really cool product that's branded to support the campaign. So that actually is— so when I'm not working on paper and print, the branded product is tangible and it's permanent and it's tactile. So, and I, and I try to sell up and recommend luxury products that could be, that could support a campaign.

So that sort of keeps, it's very time consuming, but it's a nice add-on. But it, but paper and print is really my life and my love. So and I'm busy. I mean, I like, I would like more paper and print, but I'm definitely not bored.

Christian Solorzano [27:08]

And what is— what would you say is specific to Chicago? You've been here for a while. You're not born in— you weren't born and raised here in Chicago, but what's kept you here? And from your point of view, what makes Chicago a special place when it comes to design and prints?

Andrew Dembitz [27:30]

I think that Chicago design print market is the number one graphic arts community in the country. Now, you could debate New York or LA, but from a standpoint of location, so besides the size of the community and the talent, and if you actually at one point in time, Chicago was the number one print marketplace in North America. Now, I'm not quite sure if that's still true. It might be.

If you combine printers, design firms, agencies, marketing groups, plus the amount of amazing corporate end users that you have in Chicago, it is an exciting marketplace.

If you are a designer, there is a lot of opportunity to go after high-profile companies, Fortune 100, Fortune 500, Again, with my, I guess, collaboration over the years with the design marketplace, again, I am in awe of a lot of the talent, and I've made a lot of friends besides the business relationship, which also excites me, but I'm still looking for new opportunities. It's a very large marketplace. And there's— and it's getting younger. I mean, no question. I mean, I'm getting older, marketplace is getting younger.

So besides the established groups there, it's fun to work with, someone out of school, or maybe it's a new firm that is looking for help that really hasn't had the exposure to paper and printing, because it is different. I mean, years ago, designers would be exposed to Paper 101. If they went to design school or undergrad. And actually, I taught paper from time to time at various schools or institutions, but today paper is really not addressed nearly as much in school.

I think designers learn about it by trial and error when they get out into the working world, and that's when they're first exposed to paper and print.

Christian Solorzano [29:40]

Yeah, and usually it involves making some mistakes along the line and Sometimes those mistakes are very expensive when you're printing. I get— when I graduated college, I caught the tail end of a paper-like education where we were required to print a personal brand, like a corporate identity for oneself. And I teach today, and it's really not something that is sadly emphasized enough.

Andrew Dembitz [30:11]

But I will say though, if you were to talk to, I would say, a majority of designers in the Chicago market or even nationally, I don't care really what age level or experience level, they would like to do more print.

Christian Solorzano [30:25]

Yeah, always.

Andrew Dembitz [30:26]

There's no question about it that they love the idea again of having that whole tactile experience. They know how important print communications is, love being on press. The smell of the ink, that kind of thing. So that's— there's no question about that I think they would like to do, yeah, more print. But again, it's their— it's their clients. I mean, their client— they're at the whim of their clients.

And a lot of times the clients, are not, we'll say, as educated as they should be to the— to the importance of paper as a medium.

Christian Solorzano [31:03]

Most recently, the Chicago Graphic Design Club, we did a studio tour of Sputnik Press. We had so many people come, and just the amount of enthusiasm from the participants to be in this space where everything is not on the computer was really inspiring. So I definitely feel like there is a huge craving for things, and it almost feels kind of counterculture nowadays. To print things. Handing a business card to someone feels— I don't know, it feels kind of rebellious.

Andrew Dembitz [31:44]

So, I mean, again, it definitely sets the tone, as we talked about earlier, for sure, and makes, and makes a beautiful impression.

Christian Solorzano [31:53]

So outside of, design and paper, I'd love to learn a little bit more about you and sort of what are your other interests, and when you're not in the world of paper, what are some of your pastimes, or how do you decompress from this world?

Andrew Dembitz [32:15]

So, actually, I'll mention one fun business aspect. I mentioned to you that I was in men's and women's apparel fashion for 10 years. And I've always loved— I still love fashion, and I could spend hours discussing that. But I launched this past year a little sideline business called Smart Threads, which is a men's wardrobe consulting business. And basically, the concept is working with men in this post-COVID casual society where there's no dress codes anymore. And so, that's brand new.

It's really more of a little sideline gig, and I could spend hours discussing it, but I won't. But I think most men, and I will say more mature men, it is not a priority and need help. That is one thing. I am a huge pop culture— I probably, if I was not selling paper and printing, would love to review movies and TV. Actually, I did review years ago, actually, my sister-in-law is a comedian in Chicago, and she had a local cable show.

Actually, I was reviewing movies on her show. Years ago, like Ebert and Siskel. That is a whole different story. I love pop culture. Again, TV, movies, actually, a lot of my conversation with my clients and friends in the marketplace always end with, what are you watching? Let us talk and share recommendations. Baseball is a huge deal for me, being a New Yorker raised on the Yankees and the Mets. Tomorrow's opening day. I'm a, I love reading box scores. So baseball is a real passion for me.

And actually, for your baseball fans, I'm actually in the oldest fantasy baseball league in the country called the Windy City League. There was an article about our league a number of years ago. We just had our draft this past Saturday, one of the biggest days of the year for me. So that's a— that's an escape for me. I also have a lot of passion for nonprofit. I have been involved with for years with, if you know Marwen.

So Marwen, without a doubt, is the smartest nonprofit art organization in the country. So I have been involved with Marwen for probably 25 years. I was on the board for 10 years. And then actually, as part of my paper show, the entry fee of $10 to get in the show would be a donation right back to Marwen. Plus, Marwen always had a booth at our show to promote their mission.

And Marwen is a real passion for me, and I'm still involved and support them where I can. Then there's a new nonprofit that I'm trying to get involved in called Bernie's Book Bank, which is up in Lake Bluff, and they support literacy and they donate books to Chicago public schools. It's an amazing foundation, and it gets back to paper, printing, books. So I would say, that would be my escape besides, of course, my family.

And now I have 2 grandkids, which are— that's a whole different story. So that's amazing. That's a passion. So I have a very, I've always— balance has been very important for me. So you work hard and play hard, and that's been a big part of how I've always gone through life. And—

Christian Solorzano [36:01]

I want to hear more about Smart Threads. It's very interesting. So, okay, so I have— I pulled up the description here, and I'll just kind of read what you wrote.

So you put, we live in a casual society. Dress codes no longer exist. We are now working virtually and attitudes, how to dress for business and social settings have changed. Men struggle with how to look good. Smart Threads is a wardrobe consulting service providing clients with insight and advice on how to build a wardrobe that makes sense for today. What sparked that? Were you walking down the streets and you saw someone that, well, just, I want to know, how did this come about?

Andrew Dembitz [36:40]

But here's the thing, I'm all about first impression. And I think most women, most get it from a fashion standpoint. And yes, a lot of men do. But again, I think it's staggering to me, Christian, that if you are to spend a couple hundred dollars at a beautiful restaurant on a special occasion, why you wouldn't want to look good.

As opposed to like you just rolled out of bed in the morning, or, walking in wearing a flannel shirt and khakis, or going to the symphony, or going to theater. I mean, why wouldn't you want to at least look good? I mean, and again, I know the world has changed dramatically. It is a lot more casual.

And even talking from a business standpoint, even though we're virtual on a Zoom, and you only see yourself from the, waist up, you can still look good and have a little flair to what you're doing, especially if it's maybe an interview, first impression, maybe it's a first-time client meeting. So, that's my charge is to try to help men look good both personally and business-wise in this casual world and support Their personality. And I love that.

Christian Solorzano [38:01]

So for anyone that's listening, that's looking for some wardrobe consulting, they should get in contact with you.

Andrew Dembitz [38:09]

I love that. Thanks, Christian. Yeah, perfect.

Christian Solorzano [38:11]

Yeah, when I, when I, when right when the pandemic started, I obviously, I think like most of us just got very lazy with, how we dress, how we appear online. It was during that time that I told myself that I would just start wearing ties. To every virtual call. And I did for about, 4 or 5 months, and then I just gave up.

But every time I open up my closet, I have just like a rack of ties that are always staring at me, and I always want to pull them out, but I never muster up the courage to do so.

Andrew Dembitz [38:45]

I mean, neckwear is one of my passions.

So I mean, I wear a tie to every virtual meeting, and also when I have, a coffee or lunch or live meeting, I will wear a tie again. And you don't have to wear a 3-piece suit, but if you have like, a cool little denim shirt and a little knit tie, or maybe it's a nice cool pair of denim or corduroy pants, or maybe it's a little casual blazer, you can still look good and not have to either, break the bank, but just, set yourself apart.

So, and reflect who you are.

Christian Solorzano [39:19]

So you mentioned that you are an avid consumer of television. Is there anything that you're watching at the moment that— You really enjoy and would recommend?

Andrew Dembitz [39:31]

Yes, I'll give you a couple. So we just finished on Netflix, everyone's talking about it, it's called Adolescence. And it's a 4-episode without giving it away, it's very unique. It really talks, it provokes conversation. And it's shot in a very creative way, but it talks about a crime that happened. And it's brand new. It is Stephen Graham, who's the actor in the show, also was the writer. That's number one. There's also a new series with Robert De Niro.

It's actually his first TV series called Zero Days on Netflix. 6 episodes, an amazing cast. It's sort of a thriller, but it's very relevant to today politically as well. If you like something lighter, if you get Apple Plus, Shrinking, which has been on for 2 seasons with Jason Segel and Harrison Ford. It's about psychiatrists. It's very provocative, but really fun. The dialogue is amazingly smart. One more which has been on this year. I love Westerns. On Netflix, it's called Primeval.

6 episodes, and it talks about, I guess, the rugged West in Utah in the 1850s with the Mormons. It's very dark, which I love, and very violent, but it's really a history lesson on what happened in the 1850s in Utah, and it does not give a positive message about Brigham Young and the Mormons. That's all I'm gonna say. Okay, those are the 4. I could go on and on and on.

But again, there's so much amazing content, you could never leave the house if you wanted to sit and just watch and watch. I mean, what are you watching? Are you watching anything that really gets you excited?

Christian Solorzano [41:29]

I mean, right now I'm watching the old television series Monk. That's what— that's what's always playing. So I mean, that's what I'm watching at the moment. I don't watch too much TV because I tend to get overwhelmed by the amount of options that I have. And sometimes I just don't watch anything 'cause I'm like, I don't know where to begin.

Andrew Dembitz [41:54]

I mean, actually, I will tell you one more. If you— there's an amazing app called BritBox, which has hundreds of titles. A lot of it's PBS, but it's a lot of British mysteries, which are amazing. I mean, they're not violent, but they're cerebral. And we have found some great shows on BritBox, I mean, which are amazing. So that's, a tip, for people that really want something new and different.

Christian Solorzano [42:21]

At the end of the year, we'll ask you to write a little best of 2025 television movie list.

Andrew Dembitz [42:31]

I love that. I could do the, yeah, the Cisco Ebert thing. That'd be great.

Christian Solorzano [42:34]

That would be great. So when it comes to Chicago, we, we've been talking about Chicago, but I'd love to hear about maybe some of your favorite things about Chicago, both in and outside of design. What are some of the places that you like to frequent? What's kept you here for so long? And just where, if someone were to run into you in Chicago, where, what's a place that they might find you at?

Andrew Dembitz [42:58]

'Cause the city is so vibrant, especially in the summertime. And I'm also— I do love food, and obviously Chicago is an amazing food town. So I would say, I do live up north, up in Deerfield. My daughter and son-in-law live in Logan Square, so I'm downtown a lot visiting them and my grandkids. But we also go downtown quite a bit socially. So first of all, I do love art. So as far as the art scene, the Art Institute, the MCA, the Chicago Design Museum.

So I do love art and visit that. We'll definitely frequent, various restaurants, but I do like casual bar restaurants that have, let's say, a great burger or a great pizza. I just love the lakefront, obviously, who doesn't? It is a beautiful city, architecturally, it is amazing. Again, I still love New York. We will go back maybe once a year for a long weekend, but Chicago has been my home for so long. You also have Wrigley Field, so get back to baseball. You cannot beat Wrigley.

Even if you are not a baseball fan, it is one of the meccas in the sports world. Also, it is a social thing. Who does not love hanging out and catching sun and hanging out in Wrigleyville. It's great.

Christian Solorzano [44:25]

And throughout your career, have there been any, pinch-me moments where you found yourself in a, in a scenario where what you were working on, the people that you were with, was just kind of— just felt too good to be true? What are some of your— the highlights of your of your career in design and paper?

Andrew Dembitz [44:50]

I mean, the AIGA Award, up and above, obviously was very special because I have been, very ingrained in the Chicago design community, from a business standpoint, a personal standpoint, and philanthropic. So that was obviously a nice, obviously a very humbling evening. I love the idea again, I guess, getting back to my, to my paper show, which, every year was really, I mean, the event in Chicago. And designers would always ask me, Andrew, when is the event coming?

And as I mentioned to you, every paper show had a different theme. And, I like children. I mean, I love all my children. But there are a few I like better. So over the years, there were a couple of shows that were extremely special based upon the theme, and I'll get back to the 25th show, which Nick Adam and Will Miller designed the invitation, the materials for. But that was the year that Veritiv acquired Unisource, and Veritiv in Latin means the word truth.

So the theme of the show was the word truth, and that's how they developed the concept. But we developed this beautiful promotional piece that supported— so instead of a keynote speaker, I put together— I selected 25 established designers in Chicago, and I gave them the mission of they need to define the word truth in no more than 30 seconds, and you will come out on stage and present the word truth.

And then we actually designed this beautiful book which highlighted all 25 designers with a beautiful photo shot by the photographer Stephen Gross, including their definition of the word truth. And that was from a standpoint of working with 25 distinctive, unique designers in Chicago, and all clients and friends. The reaction to the event itself at the paper show, with them displaying and talking about the word truth, and then actually the promotional piece to support that, was me personally, Extremely gratifying.

Christian Solorzano [47:31]

And we'll include, a link to this project in the description for this episode so that people could click in and go see some of that work. So given that, we're talking about paper, are you a collector? Do you collect? Do you have a library? I see in the space that you're at right now, you have a bookshelf above you have some framed I can't quite tell what that is, but you're surrounded by objects like paper. Are you a collector?

And if you are, what do you collect? And what do you find worthy of collecting?

Andrew Dembitz [48:08]

Well, okay. So, I guess getting back to a passion or an escape, I collect antique toys. And I've been collecting toys since college. And again, getting back to something that is visual, and obviously, it's artistic. So I have— I'm a kid at heart, but I have tin wind-up toys all over my house, some in my office, some downstairs in the living room, some in my basement. So toys would be something I collect. And again, it is a passion.

I do have a collection, yes, of beautiful printed pieces that I've worked on over the years, various projects from annual reports, when annual reports were really important and printed, to some packaging projects, to some identity work. So yes, I have a closet downstairs that have beautiful printed work, as well as some old swatch books and some classic paper promotions from years ago. So yes, I do keep those as a, Memento and sort of a library.

Christian Solorzano [49:15]

Yeah, it's such a— I find myself that books and just printed ephemera, they're a kind of addiction because you just want to be surrounded by them. They're beautiful to look at. They're beautiful talking pieces. The amount of conversations that happen when, someone comes over the house and they see something on the table or something in a bookshelf. It's such a— again, it's just another one of those beautiful things about print is that it provokes conversation. It's amazing.

Andrew Dembitz [49:50]

No question. I mean, again, it's all about that emotional response. Tactile. We keep going over and over again, but there is a theme there.

Christian Solorzano [49:58]

So is there anything that you're working on at the moment that's anything that we should be on the lookout for? I know the Paper Show is coming up in May.

Andrew Dembitz [50:07]

That's not my event, but I am part of it. I'll be there with Sappi. I mean, and you'll see the various paper mills. But something that actually I've been doing in this virtual world as part of my business with Sappi, and, Sappi is the most established manufacturer of beautiful coated paper in the world, plus they are very supportive of the design marketplace. They're educators and very philanthropic.

Is I launched 3 years ago with Dave Sullivan, who was a sappy sales rep in Chicago who calls on the printers and the merchants, a virtual series called Andrew and Dave Talk. And this has been a series that's educational. We'll have year number 4 probably this fall, but it's— the concept is having a small group of designers get together for an hour, and Dave and I present the latest and greatest from Sappi, both promotions, paper market conditions.

They will get a care package of promotions prior to the event that they can touch and feel. And it also is a way, again, of the design marketplace coming together. And we've had reunions, actually, people that haven't talked or connected for a number of years, or they make a nice new connection. The concept is no more than 10 to 12 designers. Then also, I always finish up again with pop culture. What are people watching?

That's something that has been part of my business, Resource Engine Group, and part of my collaboration with Sappi. That's something that I love to educate again, and that's something that'll be coming up this year. From a project standpoint, I'm actually working with Tanner Woodford at the Chicago Design Museum because they have this exhibit that actually plays back to typography, and he was looking for some help on paper for a catalog.

So I actually worked with a paper mill that I've been involved with for a number of years and helped them supply the paper for the specific project and help them connect with a printer to help them print the catalog. And I think the catalog is in motion now and will be introduced really soon. And that's being printed on Accent Opaque from Silvamo and by a really high-end printer in Chicago.

So I guess that would be, something that is sort of philanthropic, but it's also a cool project as well. Because it'll be high profile.

Christian Solorzano [52:49]

That catalog release party is next week. By the time this episode comes out, which will be this upcoming Monday, the listener will still have some— will have time to check out that show. So, and I have not seen the catalog, but I've heard really good things about it, so I can't wait to see it.

Andrew Dembitz [53:09]

Well, Tadder, at his museum, I mean, it's a nice addition to the, museum culture in Chicago. And, if you know Tanner Woodford, he's such a, he's a real creative idea, passionate person. Yes.

Christian Solorzano [53:24]

I, I've noticed that you have an affinity for the color red. Your brand is red. Even Smart Threads is also red. So is there, do you want to talk about that? Is it just—

Andrew Dembitz [53:38]

It's just, I mean, red's a powerful color. I mean, I love a lot of— I mean, I love color in general, but red is a powerful color that makes a really strong statement. So to your point, yes. Now, I— but I will say, if you were to see my neckwear collection, it's a potpourri of colors. I mean, red is in there. Yeah, I'm wearing right now— you can't see it, of course— but an orange, a strong orange tie. But yeah, red makes a statement.

It's a power color.

Christian Solorzano [54:06]

So I know we're approaching the end of our conversation here. So I just want to say thank you so much for your time, for speaking with us. I hope that the listener is able to leave this conversation feeling inspired and wanting to go out and make something tangible. For the listener, what would be— is there any—

Any parting words again, just for someone that— I know we've been talking about how to lower barriers of entry into, print. Anything else that you want to add to that? You're a very approachable guy. You're also very responsive. So why should someone reach out to you? What kind of questions would you be open to answering from anyone?

Andrew Dembitz [54:56]

And again, as I mentioned, I And just, love meeting new people of all, walks of life, and especially in the design field, especially. And I love educating. So if there are young designers that need to get information or learn more about the power of paper and print, then for sure, I really enjoy doing that. And maybe also, I mean, there's reciprocal where maybe we could generate, some business on some of the people I represent.

And again, I'm all about education, inspiration, giving back to the marketplace, and having fun at the same time.

Christian Solorzano [55:36]

And you've talked about pop culture, but you haven't talked about music. Is music also a passion of yours?

Andrew Dembitz [55:41]

I love music. Yeah, I love— well, if you have the time. So, basically, getting back to music and paper and print, one of my favorite paper shows was we had the theme called the Paper Jam, and I had a relationship with Baron Wolman. Baron Wolman was the first photographer for Rolling Stone magazine. He went back to Jan Wenner, and he was there during Woodstock. And it's a long story how we connected, but we did connect. I did some work for him on some of his catalogs.

And Baron, was in his late 70s, early 80s, but he actually was the keynote speaker for my Paper Jam show. And we actually designed a specific promotion around his photography that was printed by Classic Color, one of the great printers in Chicago. And Baron, besides giving a presentation, was at a booth signing an autograph copy of this promotion for 3 hours.

I also will say that, I guess, another passion I've been involved in the Illinois Holocaust Museum, and they had an exhibit a number of years ago. It was a rock and roll exhibit with Bill Graham, and Bill Graham was the ultimate paper exhibitor and promoter. He was involved in the Fillmore, and Live Aid. But Bill Graham was a Holocaust survivor. But Baron Wolman worked with Bill Graham, and Bill Graham gave Baron access to a lot of his concerts.

We again then developed— I developed a promotional piece for the Illinois Holocaust Museum that was given away at the exhibit, and Baron Wolman came in. The museum and lectured about his life and his relationship with Bill Graham. That's another passion or sidebar, we'll say. Actually, the piece was printed by Classic Color, but it was on a Sappi paper grade called Opus. When Sappi got wind of this catalog promotion for the museum, they bought into the promotion or the catalog, and it became a promotion for Sappi.

So it was sort of a win-win where it was promoting the exhibit, but also was a beautifully printed promotion that won a bunch of awards actually, and became a nice, an excellent promotion, which I still use actually and take out to the marketplace because who doesn't Love rock and roll. I don't care what age you are, everyone can still relate to it.

Christian Solorzano [58:34]

I don't know if you've shared that online, the, that project in particular, but it'd be great to see some photos of it. Well, thank you so much. Like I said, I'll include your contact information alongside this episode so that if anyone wants to get in touch with you to learn more, to start a project, they can do so there. But with that said, just thank you so much. This was a joy, and I look forward to doing things together in the future.

Andrew Dembitz [59:04]

Christian, thanks again for your time and opportunity. It was really fun. So stay well. We'll talk soon, I'm sure.

Christian Solorzano [59:11]

Thank you so much for tuning in. To learn more about who we are, visit www.chicagographicdesign.club. If you enjoy this conversation, please consider leaving us a rating wherever you listening. Thank you, and we'll talk to you soon. Goodbye.