#1Intro

David Carson is
a designer
working in multiple mediums.

"a pioneer with profound impact" _Apple computers, 2014

"CARSON forged graphic design into a cultural force and a medium with its own shape and direction. AIGA, 2014"

"One of America's most important artists...." _Smithsonian Institute magazine. March 2014

' Innovator, pioneer, groundbreaker, gamechanger -- Carson deserves them all '--mark cameron/Fotorator .

#2about

Carson's Design History

David Carson is a man who has transformed the field of graphic design throughout his career. Self-taught, resolutely grid-free, and unafraid to speak his mind (he’s also very funny), Carson’s work made designers realise that editorial layouts didn’t have to stick to the rules around image placement, consistent typography, or doggedly flowing copy issue after issue.

His attitude—one he sees as partly underdog, partly “why not?”—carries through not only his most famous projects like art directing Ray Gun magazine or his work for Transworld Skateboarding, but also branding projects, surfboard designs, packaging design for potato chips, and more; making him as relevant today as ever.

It’s rare to speak to a designer who’s into zines, music, and a generally less strict aesthetic, and have them not cite Carson as an influence. The American Center for Graphic Design has exalted him as having made “the most important work coming out of America,” while Creative Review has called him “the art director of the era.” In 2014, he was awarded the AIGA Gold Medal. But for all the praise he’s received, he’s rather lovely when we chat—and pretty humble to boot. He’s also still really into surfing."

-aigia/eyeondesign 2019.





Patrial Client List
Albert Watson, Aldus Corporation, American Airlines, Armani, American Express, Ameritrade, AT&T, Atlanta Olympics Committee, Atlantic Records , Audi, Autobytel ,Bose, Beach Culture, Blue Magazine , Big NYC, Brand Acumen, British Airways, Bank of Montreal, Budweiser (Superbowl spot), Bush, Citibank , CNN, Cuervo Gold, Dali Museum, David Byrne, Dita watches, Eddie Bauer, Elias Associates NY, Fox TV , Gannet Outdoor, Gibbes Museum of Art in Charleston SC, Giorgio Armani , Glendale Federal, Harvard Graduate Program, Helvetica Film, Idea Magazine (Japan), Individual, Kodak , Leap Batteries (Canada), Levi's, LOFT, Lotus Software, Lucent Technologies, Laguna Beach Contemporary Art Museum, Lycra, Marshall McLuhan Estate, Magic Johnson AIDS Foundation , MCI, Meg Ryan, Mercedes Benz, Metropolis magazine , MGM Studios , Microsoft , Motrin Migarine , MTV, Nations Bank, NBC, Newsweek, Nike , Nine Inch Nails , Nissan, Omega, Packard Bell, Pepsi, PRINCE, Quiksilver , Ray Ban , Ray Gun Magazine, Ryder Trucks, Samsung, Sears, SOL Communications, Sony, Spalding, Speak magazine , Surfer's Path, Suzuki, Toyota, TwSkateboarding, twSnowboarding, UMPQUA Bank of Seattle, US West, Wallpaper Magazine, Warner Brothers,Yale university, Western Union, Xerox .

#4Portfolio

RAY GUN

Some of Carson's most notable work was from his time as the Art Director of Ray Gun magazine. He worked with Ray Gun from 1992 to 1999 and released over 70 issues.





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