025 • JOSEPH MICHAEL ESSEX

Our guest is Joseph Michael Essex, someone who has played a pivotal role in the history of Chicago graphic design for the last five decades. Joseph has spent his career asking questions and finding meaning and reason throughout the process. In the 1970s, he started his career as an art director for the station that produced Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood and the National Geographic Specials. Today, he leads J.M.Essex, where he consults corporations, institutions, associations, and independent creative offices and agencies — helping others implement plans personalized for their creative leadership goals. In this episode, Essex speaks with host ⁠Christian Solorzano⁠ about his childhood, learning from Paul Rand, Herb Lubalin, and John Massey design competitions, the value of learning, writing, leadership, and more. Music by the band ⁠Eighties Slang⁠.