David Carson's Unconventional Design Approach

David Carson’s graphic design is characterized by its intuitive, personal, and communicative approach, prioritizing the emotional impact of the design over strict adherence to traditional rules. His style, often described as visual jazz, is recognizable for its rich textures, visual distortions, and the deconstruction and reconstruction of typographical and photographic elements. This distinctive style emerged from his background in surfing and his late entry into the world of graphic design. Instead of adhering to the rigid grid structures favored by modernist design principles, Carson prioritizes visual communication that captures and conveys specific emotions, often pushing the boundaries of legibility to achieve his desired effect.

Breaking with Convention: Typography and Grids

Carson’s approach to typography is central to his unique style. He frequently manipulates letterforms, mixing and modifying fonts, to evoke particular feelings, even at the expense of traditional legibility. He challenges the modernist reliance on grid structures, arguing that software-driven, templated designs lead to uninspired results. Instead, he approaches each design intuitively, considering the audience, message, and desired emotional impact.

An example of his unconventional approach is his use of Zapf Dingbats font in a Ray Gun magazine interview with Bryan Ferry. Frustrated by the interview’s “boring” nature, Carson set the text in the symbol-based font, rendering it illegible, to make it more visually engaging. He later published the interview in a legible font elsewhere in the issue.

Finding Inspiration in Everyday Life

Carson stresses the importance of finding inspiration in everyday surroundings. He advocates for engaging with the world, visually, sonically, and even olfactorily, to make creative connections that go beyond the obvious. He encourages activities like life drawing and sketching to break down preconceived notions and see the world with fresh eyes. Morning Pages, a stream-of-consciousness writing exercise, is another tool he recommends for unlocking creativity and fresh perspectives.

The Power of Collage

Collage, a medium Carson champions, plays a significant role in his design approach. He sees collage as a powerful tool for subversion, using the juxtaposition of existing images to reveal unseen meanings and challenge conventional ways of seeing. He cites John Stezaker, a conceptual artist known for his thought-provoking collages, as an example of appropriation done well, demonstrating the medium’s capacity for subversion and timeless relevance.

Key Characteristics of Carson’s Style

• Intuition and Emotion: Design should be driven by intuition and a focus on evoking emotions rather than adhering to strict rules.

• Experimental Typography: Unconventional use of typography, including mixing fonts, distorting letterforms, and pushing legibility, to create visual impact and convey specific feelings.

• Rejection of Rigid Grids: Favoring a humanist approach over the rigid grid structures favored by modernist design, allowing for more fluid and emotionally resonant compositions.

• Collage and Appropriation: Embracing collage as a means of challenging norms and creating new meaning through the juxtaposition of existing imagery.

• Finding Inspiration in the Everyday: Encouraging designers to find inspiration in their surroundings, observing details and making unexpected connections.

• Emphasis on Visual Communication: Prioritizing the overall message and emotional impact of design over mere legibility or adherence to conventions.

David Carson’s design legacy lies in his willingness to break with tradition and embrace instinct, emotion, and visual impact as guiding principles. His work continues to inspire designers to think outside the box and prioritize communication and emotional resonance over strict adherence to rules.