Design & Style, Arts & Entertainment

Collage Art for Designers

Lesson time 06:28 min

David often incorporates found materials into dynamic collages. In this lesson, he creates several collages in real time, talking through his source materials, design decisions, and how to follow your gut.

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Topics include: Collage Art for Designers

David Carson

Teaches Graphic Design

Pioneering graphic designer David Carson teaches you his intuitive approach to creating work that breaks rules and makes an impact.

Preview

[UPBEAT MUSIC PLAYS] - In the last two years, I started kind of rediscovering collage work. And it's been really invigorating to get out from behind the screen and work with my hands. I'm happy to say some of this work is starting to work its way into client work. People are really reacting strongly to things that feel like there's a human behind the work. Some of these new clients who were drawn to something of mine they've seen and thought, maybe that could work. So if you have your personal side of artwork or something you're doing, there's very often a place you can use it. The starting point for me is usually by some color combination of something I think could work color-wise. And so I start to see some things. This red is probably too bright. And I don't want anything too literal. I don't want you to be able to see like there's a boat here and that sort of thing, because that's not the message. That I'm drawn to some type possibilities. And it's something I'm liking about this red thing that's starting to happen, and it's not quite working yet. And that's often why I'll have a couple going at the same time. I'm going to get a little blue thing going. I might find something interesting, and so I want to cut it out. But what often happens, the thing I think I'm cutting out for is okay, but what's even better is what's left. I don't want to be able to read anything or I don't want a straight edge. I like using white on white and the back of something sometimes, it gets a nice texture. And you don't want to be too precious about it. You kind of get what you get. And I'll just go some blue. Some nice type here happened. That's kind of something nice going. Rather difficult color, it's almost too strong. Maybe we could bring some more type into this one. Now there a little hint of the color is pretty nice. And maybe a hint of another letter over here. And this one is getting close, it'd not quite there. Maybe an unexpected little hint of some color. That's getting better. A little color here, that was actually a nice accident than it looked on the back. So when they get into final position, there's usually been a lot of minor, minor tweaks. And that's something only your eye will see here, notice. If you have source material that's good or that you like, you're going to have better results. That's the bottom line. Maybe some unexpected, there's a little too sameness here. I need something a little bolder. The best work comes to the individual pieces have some significance to your life, to your existence. So I'm trying to add something to this red that's not quite working. Maybe we turn something over, we get rid of so much color that's distracting. This is good there, maybe. It's gotten a little better. Oh, there's something. You know, this red one, that's never been working. So maybe it just wants something really simple. That's probably my favorite right now, because some white space. We might be done. Thes...

About the Instructor

From Ray Gun and Transworld Skateboarding magazines to surfboards and potato chip bags, David Carson changed the trajectory of graphic design by never following the rules or sticking to the grid. Now the pioneering designer is sharing his intuitive approach so you can send a message with boundary-breaking work. Explore typography, photography, logo design, and more as you learn how to make an impact and trust your gut.

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David Carson

Pioneering graphic designer David Carson teaches you his intuitive approach to creating work that breaks rules and makes an impact.

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