Carson Keeling

What do you wish you’d known now when you started your design course?

Concept is key. Don’t just make something because it's pretty. That's boring.

What originally lead you in to design, and how has that changed - what do you want to do/are doing now?

I think I’ve always been a creative person. Growing up, I was always most interested in the creative part of every assignment. I enjoy making things. In high school, I was a designer for my school yearbook, and that really opened me up to the world of design. I entered college as a film major, but quickly switched to Visual Communications. Although my style has changed over the past 4 years, my passion for making has not.

Any hot tips for getting ahead at uni?

Study abroad! I spent 4 months studying at Elisava in Barcelona, Spain in the spring of 2019. It changed my whole view on how accessible the world can be if you’re willing to take a risk. Packing my life into a single suitcase and moving across the world was not easy, but it changed my perspective as both a human being, and a designer.

I traveled all over Europe, saw some of the art I had learned about in my art history courses, and experienced many different cultures. The experience opened my mind and changed my perspective on the way I design. I have gained such an appreciation for spanish designers, and took a lot of inspiration home with me.

What do you love about the design scene in your city and what companies are on your dream list to work or collaborate with?

The Midwest has a great creative community that I have been lucky enough to be part of during my years at KU. My university has been so helpful because I have had the opportunity to learn from some of the best teachers, who taught me to think differently and work hard.

So many people create innovative and beautiful work that I see every day. There are too many to name here but a few that have really inspired me lately are: Made Thought in London, Gretel and Mother in New York, Hybrid in SF, Public Library in LA, and of course, Pentagram. I am also really interested in designing within the fashion industry, and it would be a dream to create work for Vogue.