Inspiration - David Carson

As part of my Typography and Editorial module, I have been asked to research an editorial designer. I have chosen to research David Carson after having seen his work on the documentary ‘Helvetica’. Carson’s work really stood out to me, totally experimental and against the grain. At the time of RayGun (Carson’s magazine), he was criticised  for his chaotic looking spreads, but he stuck his guns and went with what he thought was right, which I find admirable. These days people are too focused on what other people think of them or their work, often loosing themselves along the way.

 

My favourite piece of work by David Carson is his cover for Little White Lies, a British film magazine. Carson designed January 2011, The Black Swan issue. I love how the text overlays Natalie Portman's face and fills the whole cover, this is telling you it's The Black Swan issue, you can't look anywhere else. Although it's busy, there's a sense of simplicity, a full face shot of the leading actress and the title of the film in black and white. In the words of David Carson, "There's a very thin line between simple, clean & powerful and simple, clean & boring." This particular piece of work rings true to his quote.

A close second favourite is his cover for Surf Magazine. I absolutely love the mismatch type and the bright colours that compliment each other so well. Another commanding piece of design from Carson that was sure to put the other magazines on the selves to shame. It has a 'tropical grunge' vibe that should be so wrong together but it's not and it just works. I also really like the background illustrations that add a great touch.