If you had told me in 1996—the year I graduated—that I would one day count among my friends the designer behind Template Gothic and the final art director of Ray Gun Magazine, I would have dismissed it outright. But life has a way of quietly, and sometimes improbably, rearranging expectations.

This past year, Barry Deck returned to Chicago after more than three decades away, having been based in Florida. On something of a whim, I reached out with a cold email to see if he might be interested in designing a guest T-shirt for the Chicago Graphic Design Club. To my genuine surprise—and delight—he said yes. What followed were a series of conversations that quickly revealed an easy rapport, and shared sensibility. Not long after relocating back to Chicago, Barry became actively involved with CGDC, leading several initiatives, including the development of a custom typeface for the forthcoming Faculty Magazine Issue 3. With thoughtful contributions from me, and alongside Christian Solorzano and Rick Valicenti (our ever-wise “Yoda”), Barry crafted a typeface that feels both distinctive and deeply familiar. It’s called Sidepiece.

As we await the release of Faculty 3 this May, I’d encourage you to explore more about Barry—his work, his perspective, and his enduring commitment to both design and humanity. As for me, I simply feel fortunate to now call him a friend. More Barry here.