Mary Nitz - Research 30 Designers

Designer Study: David Carson
Design II: Research & Layout Project
Medium: Digital design, print layout, mockup presentation
Time: Spring 2025

Design II introduced us to the process of researching and studying influential designers. For this project, we were to intially resaerch 30 designers, then narro it down to 1 that we want to be the focuce of the project. we selected a designer to emulate and created a visual timeline showcasing their major accomplishments. I chose David Carson, his experimental approach to typography and layout immediately drew me in and captured my interest.

This project consisted of multiple components: a fold-out booklet highlighting Carson’s work, a large-format poster, and a skateboard deck mockup. Each element required careful attention to composition, hierarchy, and dieline accuracy to ensure a cohesive presentation across formats.

David Carson Poster and Timeline of his Achievements

David Carson inspired Skateboard

Grip tape Bard 1

Board 1

Carson Board 2

Top Board 2

Bottom Board 2

In true David Carson fashion, I also created a longboard version—after all, skateboarding played a huge role in how he discovered graphic design. Carson’s early encounter with a young Tony Hawk was just the beginning; throughout the ’80s, he served as Art Director at Transworld Skateboarding, a position offered to him by close friend Stacey Peralta, one of the original Z-Boys—later known as the “Lords of Dogtown.”