David Carson // All For a Few Good Waves - video
"David Carson is arguably the world’s most well known graphic designer. All For a Few Good Waves is a short documentary portrait offering a raw glimpse into the life and work of David, an uncompromising genius, who refuses to be anyone but himself."
"After a career as a top ranked pro surfer and high school sociology teacher, he rose to prominence in the 90’s art directing Transworld, Beach Culture and Ray Gun Magazines before going on to start his studio. With no formal design training, Carson took the design world by storm, upending conventions and breaking traditional rules he didn’t even know existed."
Comments
Best I've seen on SN. Living the dream. Magic.
I'm going to run against the flow of expected comments....I don't think much of Carson's style and think his position as a lecturer/spokesperson for design is a farcical cult of celebrity gig. Surely he doesn't really believe you don't have to "know the rules of design" to break them. You don't have to know composition, colour, typography?
Urging students to push the outside of the envelope is what a good teacher does, but a good student needs to know rules, conventions and techniques before they follow the teachers lead.
But then if ignoring all that learning stuff buys you a beachside house in the Caribbean then sign me up.
Style and the resultant artwork is subjective. Sure you will get those that may not approve but he pushed it regardless. The fact is, he succeeded and well at that. I suggest he was encouraging to look 'outside the square'.
waves in the carribean...and david carson a long time surfer. i had no idea. not what i expected from mr post-modern!
he once set an interview with brian ferry in zapf dingbat. totally unreadable. absolutely brilliant.
Should've done the same for Lou Reed circa Metal Machine Music.
I don't think he is the most well known designer (maybe in surf culture) but he has influenced many to just think about it.
Whether you love or hate or just appreciate his design doesn't really matter. What a lifestyle - who wouldn't give a lot to be in his position!
A couple of years ago I interviewed Gra Murdoch, the indefatigable designer from Morrisson Media and now White Horses, about David Carson and he gave a great answer (apologies if you didn't want this to resurface, Gra!):
Random design question! David Carson: brilliant designer or needs to drink from the cup of subtlety?
Personally I believe that when design is about the designer, everyone kinda loses. I reckon that great design is almost unnoticeable, because it’s seduced the viewer into engaging with the actual content.
But it’s worth noting also that David Carson lives in supreme comfort on the beachfront in the Bahamas, while I drive a last-century Hyundai, so clearly there’s room for the look-at-moi school of design. Rrrreowww!
Different horses for different courses - Is that the saying :))
Designers have ego's. (I had to look up indefatigable)
Great response from Gra. Thanks.
modernism is built on a lie, on the myth of total transparent design and pure information.
who cares about the information when it's just crap anyway. just another dull interview with a middle-aged, middle of the road, has been pop star.
Do you work with words or images Chook?
I'm guessing images.
Jesus chook - chip on the shoulder ?
that obvious is it? it oedipal, of course. my dad was alexey brodovitch. as a kid, i could never get enough white space on a page to satisfy him.
well said :))
Bahamas or BVIs Stu?
Gra said Bahamas but the location is actually in Tortola, BVI.
i'm a words/ideas man that wanted to be a designer.
i love the big idea, grand narrative stuff...romaticism vs modernism etc.
the picture of carson in the video is just so different from how i imagined him. he was such a polarising figure in the 80s.
To be honest I've never heard of him but hey cool house and fun looking little wave. I hope I'm that stoked on surfing at his age....and have found at least half his style. Would have loved to see a few more of his sled collection up close.
Thanks SN . Far more interesting than a high flying corporate spoilt grom trip.
Great to see Swellnet posting a varied collection of surfing lifestyles; not just the latest hot young thing.
I'm so envious of his lifestyle. What most of us would aspire to if we were wealthy enough.
True Spencie. Who said money can't buy happiness?
Carson's giving it a good go.