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joined:
12th Feb 2008
updated:
12th Feb 2008
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David Carson – A Designer’s Story

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David Carson needs no introduction. Described by Creative Review magazine as "the most famous graphic designer on the planet," his first book, The End of Print, is the top selling graphic design book of all time.

Although graduating with a degree in sociology and starting his career as a teacher, a design course one summer holiday encouraged him to become a graphic designer. Today his studio’s work has been recognized the New York Type Directors Club, the American Center for Design and I.D. to name but a few. Carson and his work have been featured in over 180 magazine and newspaper articles around the world, including a feature in Newsweek magazine and a front page article in The New York Times.

David's work continues to be subjective and largely driven by intuition, with an emphasis on experimenting with ways to communicate in a variety of mediums. Carson remains a hands-on designer, keeping his studio small and mobile.

Watch exclusive video content on how graphic design made sense to him. Listen to him define graphic design and describe how different his first experience of desktop publishing was to the way technology has changed the way a designer approaches their work today. Would Carson even have started out in graphic design if he’d known the important role technology would play? And if you’re just starting out in design, Carson describes what he thinks makes a good designer – is having a good eye enough?

Comments

0 comments posted on "David Carson – A Designer’s Story"

vostenak posted 6 Nov 2008
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Inspiring interview! I've always felt that good design is art--in either case, you can't one without the other. Emotional response is required for the success of both graphic design and art. As an artist and graphic designer, I feel that both are enhanced by the study of the other.
petarsubotic posted 2 Aug 2008
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hah, if you liked this you should watch carsons interviews in Helvetica http://www.helveticafilm.com/clips.html
Twinkle posted 14 May 2008
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I found some books David had written at http://www.gingkopress.com/_cata/_grap/fotograf.htm It's a great resource for design books. They also seem to be all available on Amazon too.
fall posted 13 May 2008
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Pour lynden, une partie de la transcription en anglais. Vous pouvez employer le babelfish pour traduire! Pardon, je savoir un petit francaise. It’s a way to help communication through emotional response of the viewer without necessarily having to read something, or before they read something, graphic design allows them to have some interaction or some emotional reaction to the piece, or to feel something that they might not normally get. And it was so clear to me that’s what I wanted to do, it became my second career after teaching sociology.
Charles McCallum posted 2 May 2008
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Good graphic solutions are universal in its approach to its key subjects, and its often the persons love of the subject that gets the designer noticed! well thats what a think?
Mattguitariste303 posted 28 Apr 2008
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tabuse hynd
Hynden posted 27 Apr 2008
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:( l'interview n'est pas facile d'accès, une transcription serai vraiment la bienvenue merci
jodi2 posted 21 Apr 2008
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I'm knocking 60, been in advertising all my life but stopped about a year ago. Seeing David's interview reminded me of the bit that I still miss - the design element. I think in every ad I did (TV or print) design was a crucial part of whether it worked for me. Just the way things fall on a page, the way an image is cropped, colour, type etc. Boy do I miss all that.
Aghiles posted 8 Apr 2008
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Hola, Algun Español podría traducir "por encima" que es lo que dice, muchas gracias.
asmatci posted 4 Apr 2008
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Where I can buy your book?
_Yo posted 26 Mar 2008
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Check the Hillmancurtis designer series
bensdadishere posted 25 Mar 2008
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WOW, he is as smart as his design. Here it is folks,everything we want to be.
crissy posted 25 Mar 2008
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This was refreshing. I understand and agree with everything David spoke about. I am not technical either, and his is correct about having a eye for design & style. You either have it or not.
Pablo Teran H posted 25 Mar 2008
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I meet with David in Ecuador some years ago and i felt so much energy in his works and feelings. Great Work! David still inspire me! You remember David? Keep designing!
dberg posted 24 Mar 2008
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I went into it more seriously for the technology fact, you can be so much more using technology, and the printing technology enhances to results.
Kelly posted 21 Mar 2008

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I really liked what he had to say. I'm definately interested in his point of view and I'd like to see some of his designs.
Sheila posted 20 Mar 2008
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What a super interview. I had forgotton about the waxing machine! David had my attention start to finish. Thank you David.
kenw posted 20 Mar 2008
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Do David a favor and clean up the writing and grammar in the "Exclusive Details" section of this page. Small point, but if you're going to present pros, do it like a pro in every way. Quark's e-mail promoton must be creating a lot of traffic for this video. Speed to download is s-l-o-w. So. both "congratulations and don't you want to fix that?
susi posted 20 Mar 2008
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I began my career during the age of the paste-up, waxing, india ink, PMTs and cutting rubylith overlays. I went kicking and screaming into the age of computer technology. I thought that I would lose the joy of using my hands to convey my thoughts, but I have really enjoyed the unlimited creativity that the computer brings to the task. If you can imagine it, you can usually find a way to create it visually with the computer, endless possibilities. Success in this field depends upon having an open mind, being flexible and constantly searching for new ways to communicate.
Mariea posted 20 Mar 2008
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An inspiration!
velrosita posted 20 Mar 2008
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It was nice to hear and see how one of the greatest thinks about design.
echo posted 20 Mar 2008
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After listening to David, I believe he would have gotten into GD even if he had known the role technology would play...contrary to what he said. He obviously has the passion and desire to communicate visually and that's so necessary for a designer. The computer is just the tool to use to express your ideas.
AuntieEm70 posted 20 Mar 2008
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Wow! Now I'm totally convinced I'm in the career that's meant for me. I eat, breathe, and watch design.
mikeymike62 posted 20 Mar 2008
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I started my career as a Hand & Machine Compositor in 1969. My fellow trademen said, "There's no future in this trade!" I first used a Linotype Machine when I was 18 - and loved it. Almost 40 years on - I'm using Quark 7 in my working career. I always had faith in human nature. The faith that people will be "entertained" by other people's imagination. The revolution has been - and still is - amazing to be part of - although at times - pretty scary. David has a very open mind towards GD - that's why he's successful.
cuitla posted 18 Mar 2008
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Diseñador du nacimento, si señor.
Nels posted 11 Mar 2008
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I like how David states how Graphic Design comes naturally, for fun, when you don't have to work at it. I look in my environment at font, color, and layout usage in signs, magazines, logo, web, TV. Just take a day, pick a color, and pay attention to how much you see it in your life.
cvc posted 7 Mar 2008
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Its very refreshing to hear what is at the core of all designers. Sometimes we forget how we began this path. Nice to be reminded.
Crea Thea posted 5 Mar 2008
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Heel handig Very handy
anil posted 4 Mar 2008
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The video gave a very natural feel to what designer thinks passionately for, i really like the basic thinking and decision making that needs to be part of a designers forte which Carl brought out.
bothner posted 3 Mar 2008
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no such luck in loading this video in Shanghai, China. 30 mins and at about 13 seconds. Would love to see it though ;)
posted 1 Mar 2008
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:-)
zinko posted 27 Feb 2008

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David Carson es uno de los grandes. Si señor.
81 Pensioner posted 23 Feb 2008
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As an older 'viewee' I watched and listened to David Carson with deep respect for his feelings behind such a great aptitude for the work. I also thought, encouraging type of approach to the newcomer to this gigantic, fascinating subject.