David Carson (born September 8, 1954) is an American graphic designer, art director and surfer. He is best known for his innovative magazine design, and use of experimental typography. He was the art director for the magazine Ray Gun, in which he employed much of the typographic and layout style for which he is known. In particular, his widely imitated aesthetic defined the so-called "grunge typography" era.
Carson was born on September 8, 1954 in Corpus Christi, Texas.
He attended Cocoa Beach High School, was class president for 3 years, and still considers Cocoa Beach, Florida to be the place he is "most from".
He attended San Diego State University, graduating with "Honors and Distinction" a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology.
Carson's first contact with graphic design was in 1980 at the University of Arizona during a two-week graphics course, taught by Jackson Boelts.
From 1982 to 1987, Carson worked as a teacher in Torrey Pines High School in San Diego, California. During that time, he was also a professional surfer, and reached a 9th in the world ranking. Carson had his own signature model surfboard with Infinity surfboards, and his own signiature model fin with rainbow fin co. He still surfs regularly at his property in Cane Garden Bay, the only surfer in history to ever own water front property on the fabled point break.