David Carson Research

David Carson

David Carson is best known for his innovative magazine design and use of experimental typology. Born September 8, 1954 in Texas, Carson is an American graphic designer considered one of the most influential graphic designers in the 1990’s. Carson worked as a teacher in San Diego, California where he began to experiment with graphic design. Carson was also a professional surfer, where he made his first significant impact on the world of graphic design and typography as he designed for the magazine beach culture.

Carson has a background in sociology and believes that this background does not directly affect him but instead steers him in certain directions with his work.

Carson pushed the limits on both graphic design and typography. He experiments in new ways of communicating through his designs and uses a variety of different mediums. He went against the conventions of graphic design and believes that is what had made him so successful.

Carson surfs every winter in the Caribbean.

Ray Gun

Carson worked as art director for the magazine Ray Gun which was an American alternative rock-and-roll magazine. Published in 1992, Ray Gun explored experimental magazine typography design resulting in an abstract and chaotic design.

“The End Of Print”

“The End of Print” is the first collection of the work of Carson first appearing in 1995. Since the book appeared in 1995 it has become one of the most popular graphic design books ever published selling over 200,000 copies in five different languages.

Software for television commercials

The main software Carson uses is Adobe After Effects. He claims it is hugely important in the commercials he works on and is the best tool for motion graphics.

Quicksilver

Carson was commissioned to art direct and work on creative concepts for the 2011 Quicksilver Pro New York and later the 2011 Quicksilver Pro France. Carson collaborated with New York designers/artists/ illustrators; George Bates, Michael Lotenero and Justin Kauffmann. Carson was to come up with a look and feel for the Quicksilver NY Pro surf contest with his ideas very much impressing the company. I find his work fresh and unexpected as he incorporated image and text in such a way that distorts them, making it very interesting.

Progression in design aesthetics

Carson believes his design aesthetic still contains the basic approach, personal, intuitive and extremely self indulgent but hopes it is also evolving.

TREK

TREK is Carson’s latest self- indulgent tome- his first design book in over 5 years.  TREK touches briefly on a lot of subjects, including 9/11, the Iraq war, family, friends, love, loss, relationships etc. Along with his latest photographic feats it features film and web work and brilliant new designs created for illustrious clients such as Nine Inch Nails and Quicksilver.

Nine Inch Nails and Trent Reznor

Nine Inch Nails is a band with Trent Reznor as the leader.  Carson was given the job of designing a cover for Nine Inch Nails album “The Fragile”.  A section within Fotographs reveals the top section of the album cover is from a photo of a waterfall and the bottom section is from a close up photo of the inside of some kind of seashell.

Armani Campaign

I personally like the designs he used for the Armani Capaign. The designs seem quite simple but yet effective. They  are clever and grab your attention through the use of the text font and images.