David Carson Design
David Carson Design is a founder-led graphic design studio in Del Mar, California, offering bespoke design, authored books, art prints, and luxury co-branded products to enterprise, cultural, and luxury clients worldwide.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded-
- HeadquartersNew York, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What David Carson Design does
David Carson Design is a private, founder-led graphic design studio headquartered in Del Mar, California, with additional offices in Zurich, Switzerland, Charleston, South Carolina, and Tortola, British Virgin Islands. The studio provides bespoke design services to enterprise, luxury, cultural, and consumer clients, with a publicly disclosed roster that includes Microsoft, Nike, Giorgio Armani, Citibank, Pepsi, Toyota, Levi Strauss, Atlantic Records, and Quiksilver, alongside institutional projects such as the visual identity for the Salvador Dalí Museum.
The studio's product surface extends well beyond client services. It monetizes through authored book publications (including "nucollage," published in 2019), licensed and sold art prints, commissioned large-format installation work (e.g., Zoku Hotel rooms), surfboard product lines, and a global speaking and lecture circuit. It has also extended into co-branded luxury product collaborations, notably The Macallan "Bold Concept" (2020) and Porsche "Signal Design" (2021), and into transportation design via the Design Director appointment for Airborne Motors (PAV) in 2017. David Carson received the AIGA Gold Medal in 2014, the highest individual honor in U.S. graphic design.
Commercially, the studio operates on a project-fee basis for design services, supplemented by royalties and direct-to-consumer revenue from books, prints, and physical product licensing. Headcount sits in the 11–50 band. There is no disclosed outside funding, no venture backing, and no M&A history. The studio's competitive position is built almost entirely on the personal brand and signature aesthetic of its founder, making it a classic key-person creative practice with multiple parallel revenue lines rather than a scaling enterprise.
David Carson Design firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- David Carson Design
- Legal name
- David Carson Design, Inc.
- Website
- https://davidcarsondesign.com
- Company type
- Private
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- David Carson Design is a founder-led graphic design studio in Del Mar, California, offering bespoke design, authored books, art prints, and luxury co-branded products to enterprise, cultural, and luxury clients worldwide.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
David Carson Design industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Graphic Design Services
- NAICS
- Graphic Design Services (54143), Industrial Design Services (541420), Photography Studios, Portrait (541921)
- SIC
- Services-Mailing, Reproduction, Commercial Art & Photography (7330), Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Production (7812)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Packaging & Brand Identity Creative Agencies (MPAAAAAN)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Packaging & Product Brand Design (BPAFAEAG), Industrial/Product & Furniture Design (BPAHAKAM), Production Design & Art Department Services (Sets, Props, Scenic) (MPADAFAG)
Keywords
Where David Carson Design is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- New York
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices4 records
Markets served
David Carson Design business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Design Services and Consulting: Full-service design studio providing brand strategy, brand design, graphic design, creative direction, and industrial/product design for clients worldwide. Projects range from magazine art direction to branding campaigns to product design.
- Book Sales and Publications: Sale of design books including The End of Print (top-selling graphic design book of all time with 200,000+ copies sold in 5 languages), TREK, 2nd Sight, Fotografiks, The Book of Probes, and nucollage.
- Original Art and Limited Edition Prints: Sale of original artwork, signed limited edition prints, and collages. Posters sold at $225 signed (3ft x 5ft). Original nu collage pieces available for purchase.
- Speaking Engagements and Workshops: David Carson lectures extensively worldwide at universities and professional symposiums, including over 100 professional symposiums. Teaches week-long workshops at School of Visual Arts NYC each summer.
- Film and Video Direction: Directs commercials, music videos, and short films including work for Nine Inch Nails, Lucent Technologies, and collaborations with William Burroughs.
- Licensing and Brand Partnerships: Licensing of design work for products including surfboards (Album Surfboards, Starboard), luggage and accessories (Quiksilver/Pukas), and collaborations with luxury brands like Macallan and Porsche.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Design Services |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Signed Limited Edition Posters |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Original Artwork and Collages |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels8 records
David Carson Design product offering
Product offeringCore offering
David Carson Design is a graphic design studio providing brand strategy, brand identity, creative direction, advertising, packaging, print, retail graphics, magazine art direction, industrial/product design, and film/video direction for global enterprise and luxury brand clients. The studio also generates revenue through published books (The End of Print, TREK, nu collage, The Book of Probes), signed limited-edition prints and original collages sold via the studio website, speaking engagements and workshops, and licensing partnerships with surf, fashion, and luxury brands.
Product overview
David Carson Design is a graphic design studio operated by legendary graphic designer David Carson, offering a comprehensive suite of creative services. The studio provides brand strategy, brand design, industrial design, creative direction, graphic design, photo and video direction, identity systems, interactive design, advertising, packaging, print, retail graphics, and branded environments. The company also produces published works including books such as 'The End of Print' (the top-selling graphic design book of all time with 200,000+ copies), 'nu collage' (2019), 'TREK' (2003), and 'The Book of Probes' (with Marshall McLuhan). Services span traditional graphic design, magazine art direction, video/film direction, and product design collaborations. This is not a software product company but a design studio practice.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Graphic Design and Branding Services Comprehensive graphic design services including brand strategy, brand design, creative direction, identity systems, packaging, print design, retail graphics, advertising, and global communications for international enterprise and luxury brand clients.
- Magazine Art Direction Art direction services for publications including Ray Gun Magazine, Beach Culture, Surfer, twSkateboarding, twSnowboarding, Blue Magazine, Metropolis, Wallpaper Magazine, and Idea Magazine (Japan), featuring experimental typography and grid-free editorial layouts.
- Video and Film Direction Services Film and television direction services for commercials, music videos, and documentaries including work with Nine Inch Nails, Lucent Technologies, and the documentary 'The Art and Discipline of Creativity' with Harvard Business School.
- Industrial and Product Design Industrial design and product development services including surfboard collaborations with Album Surf, Starboard, and Pukas, headphone design work for Bose, and product design for Airborne Motors (Personal Air Vehicle) where Carson served as Design Director.
- The End of Print (Book) David Carson's first book with Lewis Blackwell, with a foreword by David Byrne. The top-selling graphic design book of all time with over 200,000 copies sold in 5 languages. Available through publishers Gingko Press and Hulu Media Group.
- TREK (Book) David Carson's 456-page graphic design book published in 2003, with introduction by Erik McLuhan and essays by Steven Heller, Drew Kampion, and Jamie Brisick.
- The Book of Probes (Book) Collaborative book with Marshall McLuhan, published by Gingko Press, featuring McLuhan aphorisms with experimental design treatment.
- nu collage (Book) David Carson's latest book featuring a new collection of collages created without client or creative brief constraints, representing freeform experimental work straddling art and design.
- Signed Limited Edition Posters and Original Artwork Sale of original artwork, signed limited edition prints, and nu collages. Signed posters sold at $225 for 3ft x 5ft size, with original collage pieces available by inquiry to [email protected].
- Speaking Engagements and Workshops David Carson lectures extensively worldwide at universities and professional symposiums (over 100 professional symposiums delivered), teaches week-long workshops at the School of Visual Arts NYC each summer, and delivers TED Talks.
Quantifiable outcome
- Top-selling graphic design book of all time with 200,000+ copies sold in 5 languages
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use David Carson Design
Customer profileNamed customers25 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
David Carson Design technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
David Carson Design partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- PorscheminorDavid+Signal_Design+Porsche collaboration in 2021. Website shows multiple images from this partnership.
- The MacallanminorCollaboration on Bold Concept Release - whisky brand Macallan worked with David Carson on a special limited edition release, 2020. Multiple images on website show the collaboration.
- Tailored NYCminorCollection collaboration with Tailored NYC, featured on their website and David's site.
- Thijs BierstekerminorMind over Matter installation collaboration - interactive artwork that responds to viewers' brainwaves. Featured at Dezeen and in press coverage.
- Album SurfboardsminorNew surfboard line with Album Surfboards launched summer 2018. Collaboration on surfboard designs.
- C-Skins WetsuitsminorGlobal rebranding for C-Skins wetsuits completed in 2018.
- Zoku HotelminorRoom art design for Zoku Hotel Amsterdam, 2018/19.
- StarboardminorWorking on 2017 line from Starboard including boards, apparel and accessories.
- Airborne MotorsminorDavid Carson named Design Director for Airborne Motors, makers of the world's first true PAV (Personal Air Vehicle).
- VirginatechminorLecture and exhibition posters at Virginatech, 2018.
- Quiksilver and Pukas SurfboardsminorDavid collaborating with Quiksilver and Pukas surfboards in Europe for a line of Carson designed luggage, backpacks, surfboards, wallets and more, available at over 600 stores starting 2010.
- Marshall McLuhan EstatecoreDavid is Art Director for the McLuhan estate ('the medium is the message'). Collaborated on The Book of Probes and other McLuhan publications.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
David Carson Design competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Wieden+Kennedy: Major independent creative agency behind Nike's 'Just Do It' and many of the same brand campaigns David Carson has worked on. Overlaps in cultural-impact, founder-led creative work for global brands but operates at agency scale across advertising, film, and digital.
- Landor & Fitch: Global brand consulting and design firm serving enterprise clients (FedEx, BMW, Coca-Cola) with end-to-end brand strategy and identity systems. Comparable in the brand identity and enterprise client category, but at significantly larger scale and with a more systematic, research-driven approach.
Direct peers
- Pentagram: Legendary designer-partnership model offering brand identity, graphic design, and editorial work for global clients. Operates as a collection of independently-led partner studios — structurally analogous to David Carson Design's founder-led creative studio model.
- Massimo Vignelli Associates: Late Massimo Vignelli's design office, known for modernist brand identity and wayfinding (NYC subway, American Airlines). Listed alongside Carson in Graphic Design USA's top-5 most influential designers — a direct historical peer in elite graphic design legacy.
- 2x4: Design studio working across brand identity, exhibition design, editorial, and environments for cultural and luxury clients. Comparable mid-sized, designer-led studio with overlapping practice areas (identity, editorial, exhibitions).
- Chermayeff & Geismar & Haviv: One of the oldest and most celebrated American identity design firms, with marquee corporate clients (MoMA, Chase, PBS). Comparable as a heritage brand-identity studio with cultural-institution and enterprise client base.
- Sagmeister Inc. Stefan Sagmeister's experimental, typographically-driven design studio producing brand identities, posters, and exhibition work for cultural and commercial clients. Closely comparable in approach — a single-principal studio whose reputation and creative direction are inseparable from the founder.
- Mucca (now part of WPP): Boutique design studio with strong typographic identity work and editorial design capabilities. Comparable as a mid-sized, designer-led studio focused on brand identity and packaging for premium clients.
- Peter Saville Studio: Legendary British graphic designer Peter Saville's independent studio, producing identity, fashion, and editorial work for clients like Calvin Klein and Stella McCartney. Closely analogous: heritage-name designer operating a small studio with cultural cachet and luxury-brand collaborations.
- Milton Glaser Studio: Late Milton Glaser's iconic New York studio known for the I ❤ NY mark, brand identities, and editorial design. Same category: legendary individual-designer studio, listed alongside Carson among the top-5 most influential designers.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
David Carson Design social profiles
Digital presenceDavid Carson Design financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
David Carson Design leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
David Carson Design funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
David Carson Design M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about David Carson Design
What does David Carson Design do?
David Carson Design is a graphic design studio providing brand strategy, brand identity, creative direction, advertising, packaging, print, retail graphics, magazine art direction, industrial/product design, and film/video direction for global enterprise and luxury brand clients. The studio also generates revenue through published books (The End of Print, TREK, nu collage, The Book of Probes), signed limited-edition prints and original collages sold via the studio website, speaking engagements and workshops, and licensing partnerships with surf, fashion, and luxury brands.
Is David Carson Design a public or private company?
David Carson Design is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was David Carson Design founded?
David Carson Design was founded in -1. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is David Carson Design based?
David Carson Design is headquartered in New York, United States, in the North America region.
How does David Carson Design make money?
Six revenue lines are on record. Design Services and Consulting is the primary driver. The others are book Sales and Publications, original Art and Limited Edition Prints, speaking Engagements and Workshops, film and Video Direction and licensing and Brand Partnerships.
Who are David Carson Design's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Wieden+Kennedy and Landor & Fitch. Direct peers are Pentagram, Massimo Vignelli Associates, 2x4, Chermayeff & Geismar & Haviv, Sagmeister Inc., Mucca (now part of WPP), Peter Saville Studio and Milton Glaser Studio.
Does David Carson Design have an API?
No public API is recorded for David Carson Design.
What industry is David Carson Design in?
David Carson Design's product category is Graphic Design Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAAAAAN, Packaging & Brand Identity Creative Agencies, with a secondary code of BPAFAEAG, Packaging & Product Brand Design. Its NAICS code is 54143 and its SIC code is 7330.