David Carson is a graphic designer known for experimenting with typography and magazine layouts. He began his career as a sociology professor but started experimenting with graphic design in 1983. Carson became known for his unique style when he took the role of art director for Ray Gun magazine in 1992, transforming conventions through techniques like "grunge" typography and use of the Dingbat font. Carson's philosophy was to break rules and influence public views on design through an anarchist style. He pioneered dirty, experimental designs that shook up the typography world and influenced many other artists.

1. David Carson
By Amy and Sophia

2. Early Life and Career
• Carson was born on September
8th, 1954.
• First worked as sociology
professor at San Diego State
University.
• 1983 he started to experiment
with graphic design,
• In 1992 Carson became art
director for Ray Gun magazine

3. What Make Carson Famous
• Carson’s unique ability to transform
the norm of conventional magazines
by experimenting with different
varieties of mediums.
• ‘Grunge’ typography.
• Use of the Font Dingbat.

4. Examples of Dingbat:

5. Carson’s Other Work

6. Carson’s Philosophy
• Carson is all about breaking the rule. He is constantly
changing public views on graphic design and commercial art.
He had what could be described as a very anarchist style in
the 90’s.
• David Carson’s philosophy is the way he comes up with his
ideas and creates his work. Before starting a design, he’ll
read the article, analyze the product and listen to the music.
From there he gets a feel for whatever the topic is, and he
tries to crate that visually and emotionally through his art
and typography.

7. Example

8. What Should Influence Designers
• Picture of Carson & his quote.
• ‘I think it’s really important
that designers put themselves
into the work. No one else has
your background, upbringing,
life experiences, and if you can
put a bit of that into your work,
two things will happen: you’ll
enjoy the work more, and
you’ll do your best work.’
- David Carson

9. Who Carson has influenced:
• He largely influenced the dirty-grunge movement in design
trends of the 90s.
• Carson also influenced many artists, because he shook up
the type world.
• Instead of following all of the typographic rules, Carson
broke them all. Thus, enabling other artists to do new and
inventive things that they wouldn’t have done before.

10. David Carson – A Designer’s Story
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jW2H-gmUl6c