Matthew Carlson
@dreamjar.bsky.social
Director of UX Design - Education, Fresco & Fonts at Adobe. Sketchbook junkie and stealer of pens. Late night game designer of the tabletop rpg, WanderSquares.com! He/Him - 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️Ally - #BLM
Pinned
Matthew Carlson
@dreamjar.bsky.social
· Nov 27
Hello New-sky People! I’m Matthew Carlson, Illustrator by night, Design Director by day. I draw stuff for boardgames and kids’ books, and lead design for #Fonts, #Education and #AdobeFresco at Adobe. Nice to meet you!
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#illustration #design
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#illustration #design
Reposted by Matthew Carlson
JUST IN: California voters have approved a ballot measure to redraw the state's congressional map to favor Democrats, marking the party's biggest victory to date in a national battle over redistricting ahead of the 2026 midterms.
California voters OK new congressional lines, boosting Democrats ahead of midterms
California voters have approved a ballot measure to redraw the state's congressional map to favor Democrats, marking the party's biggest victory to date in a national battle over redistricting ahead of the 2026 midterms.
n.pr
November 5, 2025 at 4:06 AM
JUST IN: California voters have approved a ballot measure to redraw the state's congressional map to favor Democrats, marking the party's biggest victory to date in a national battle over redistricting ahead of the 2026 midterms.
Reposted by Matthew Carlson
On this beautiful morning in Astoria, I cast my ballot for our city and our future.
I hope you will too.
I hope you will too.
November 4, 2025 at 3:26 PM
On this beautiful morning in Astoria, I cast my ballot for our city and our future.
I hope you will too.
I hope you will too.
Reposted by Matthew Carlson
My latest newsletter is about one of my writing pet peeves.
I *hate* it when a novel gives its main character a personal epiphany on page 300 that:
a) could have happened on page 30 instead bc it was already clear
b) is ridic embarrassingly obvious and surface-level
buttondown.com/charliejane/...
I *hate* it when a novel gives its main character a personal epiphany on page 300 that:
a) could have happened on page 30 instead bc it was already clear
b) is ridic embarrassingly obvious and surface-level
buttondown.com/charliejane/...
One Of My Worst Writing Pet Peeves, and How to Avoid It
Before we dive into newsletter-town, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that my novel Lessons in Magic and Disaster makes a fantastic holiday gift for...
buttondown.com
November 4, 2025 at 5:51 PM
My latest newsletter is about one of my writing pet peeves.
I *hate* it when a novel gives its main character a personal epiphany on page 300 that:
a) could have happened on page 30 instead bc it was already clear
b) is ridic embarrassingly obvious and surface-level
buttondown.com/charliejane/...
I *hate* it when a novel gives its main character a personal epiphany on page 300 that:
a) could have happened on page 30 instead bc it was already clear
b) is ridic embarrassingly obvious and surface-level
buttondown.com/charliejane/...
Reposted by Matthew Carlson
I suspect that the techbros who read the SFF stories about robots rebelling decided that the moral of the story was "design them so they won't" and they think that's actually possible and desirable.
side point but the idea that if you make a human grade robot intellect it will do whatever you say without protest seems underexamined
Even if you were willing to buy that an LLM/Gen AI tool has human-like intellect, you’re still left with the fact that an LLM doesn’t NEED a job to remain alive under capitalism, but a human does.
morality-wise, surely many would agree that humans should thus be given priority for jobs due to need
morality-wise, surely many would agree that humans should thus be given priority for jobs due to need
November 2, 2025 at 7:58 PM
I suspect that the techbros who read the SFF stories about robots rebelling decided that the moral of the story was "design them so they won't" and they think that's actually possible and desirable.
It was super fun to be able to launch our new Pose feature in Adobe Fresco at MAX! Pose lets you turn ANY 2d image into a virtual puppet, so you can push, pull and animate it frame by frame. Check it out! #adobemax #adobefresco #animation
October 30, 2025 at 10:36 PM
It was super fun to be able to launch our new Pose feature in Adobe Fresco at MAX! Pose lets you turn ANY 2d image into a virtual puppet, so you can push, pull and animate it frame by frame. Check it out! #adobemax #adobefresco #animation
Reposted by Matthew Carlson
A halloween books cartoon for @theguardian.com
October 30, 2025 at 3:02 PM
A halloween books cartoon for @theguardian.com
Reposted by Matthew Carlson
It's not about what this country can or can’t afford. It’s about priorities. [Cartoon by Jesse Duquette]
October 27, 2025 at 5:01 PM
It's not about what this country can or can’t afford. It’s about priorities. [Cartoon by Jesse Duquette]
Reposted by Matthew Carlson
I have a very bad feeling about this...
October 27, 2025 at 4:51 PM
I have a very bad feeling about this...
#AdobeMAX 2025 is almost here! Come join my Adobe Fresco session
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Illustrate and Animate with Ease: Intro to Adobe Fresco [S6370]
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Track: Graphic Design and Illustration
Product: Fresco
Category: How To
Wednesday, Oct 29 1:30 PM - 2:30
#illustration #animation #adobefresco
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Illustrate and Animate with Ease: Intro to Adobe Fresco [S6370]
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Track: Graphic Design and Illustration
Product: Fresco
Category: How To
Wednesday, Oct 29 1:30 PM - 2:30
#illustration #animation #adobefresco
October 26, 2025 at 4:58 PM
#AdobeMAX 2025 is almost here! Come join my Adobe Fresco session
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Illustrate and Animate with Ease: Intro to Adobe Fresco [S6370]
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Track: Graphic Design and Illustration
Product: Fresco
Category: How To
Wednesday, Oct 29 1:30 PM - 2:30
#illustration #animation #adobefresco
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Illustrate and Animate with Ease: Intro to Adobe Fresco [S6370]
- - -
Track: Graphic Design and Illustration
Product: Fresco
Category: How To
Wednesday, Oct 29 1:30 PM - 2:30
#illustration #animation #adobefresco
Reposted by Matthew Carlson
Olle Eksell is well known for his advertising illustration, book jackets and playful packaging design. He first studied engineering and later decided to become a graphic artist. designreviewed.com/designer/oll... #olleeksell #swedishdesign #illustration #graphicdesign
October 25, 2025 at 5:34 AM
Olle Eksell is well known for his advertising illustration, book jackets and playful packaging design. He first studied engineering and later decided to become a graphic artist. designreviewed.com/designer/oll... #olleeksell #swedishdesign #illustration #graphicdesign
Today’s #lightbox booth demo: Pumpkin Bat! I’m playing with our new Pose feature to do the flapping animation. It’s so easy and fun!
#adobefresco #illustration #animation
#adobefresco #illustration #animation
October 25, 2025 at 12:49 AM
Today’s #lightbox booth demo: Pumpkin Bat! I’m playing with our new Pose feature to do the flapping animation. It’s so easy and fun!
#adobefresco #illustration #animation
#adobefresco #illustration #animation
Reposted by Matthew Carlson
‘Uninvited’ One of a kind static puppet sculpture. A vampire who it unable to enter without an invitation. 21.5 H x 21 W x 11 D inches. Mixed media: polymer clay, foam, wire, fabric, wood, plastic, copper, chipboard and found objects. Available if interested: www.rednosestudio.com/puppets/unin...
October 9, 2025 at 5:42 PM
‘Uninvited’ One of a kind static puppet sculpture. A vampire who it unable to enter without an invitation. 21.5 H x 21 W x 11 D inches. Mixed media: polymer clay, foam, wire, fabric, wood, plastic, copper, chipboard and found objects. Available if interested: www.rednosestudio.com/puppets/unin...
Reposted by Matthew Carlson
It’s hard to convey just how much Chicagoans are mobilizing against ICE. Don’t want to downplay the harm, or make it seem like a fair fight. But in neighborhoods across this city, ICE is getting chased by people blowing whistles and shouting. People are running TOWARD ICE to protect their neighbors.
October 22, 2025 at 12:12 PM
It’s hard to convey just how much Chicagoans are mobilizing against ICE. Don’t want to downplay the harm, or make it seem like a fair fight. But in neighborhoods across this city, ICE is getting chased by people blowing whistles and shouting. People are running TOWARD ICE to protect their neighbors.
Reposted by Matthew Carlson
I lived with my dad when I was very young and he didn’t apply for food stamps or free school lunches, though we qualified.
So, I went hungry. It was awful. I begged neighbors for saltine crackers. I can say it was the worst time of my life.
Children shouldn’t go hungry. Restore SNAP benefits.
So, I went hungry. It was awful. I begged neighbors for saltine crackers. I can say it was the worst time of my life.
Children shouldn’t go hungry. Restore SNAP benefits.
October 22, 2025 at 2:40 PM
I lived with my dad when I was very young and he didn’t apply for food stamps or free school lunches, though we qualified.
So, I went hungry. It was awful. I begged neighbors for saltine crackers. I can say it was the worst time of my life.
Children shouldn’t go hungry. Restore SNAP benefits.
So, I went hungry. It was awful. I begged neighbors for saltine crackers. I can say it was the worst time of my life.
Children shouldn’t go hungry. Restore SNAP benefits.
Reposted by Matthew Carlson
Good morning! Shhhh. Karl is still sleeping
October 21, 2025 at 2:43 PM
Good morning! Shhhh. Karl is still sleeping
Reposted by Matthew Carlson
Reposted by Matthew Carlson
Reading Rainbow episode 3 is live now on KidZuko on YouTube! 🌈🎉📚
Let's read "More Than Peach" by Bellen Woodard, who was just 9 years old when she wrote this inspiring story celebrating every beautiful shade of who we are ✨💖😊
youtu.be/e4VIV48ZB0M?feature=shared
Let's read "More Than Peach" by Bellen Woodard, who was just 9 years old when she wrote this inspiring story celebrating every beautiful shade of who we are ✨💖😊
youtu.be/e4VIV48ZB0M?feature=shared
More Than Peach 🍑🎨 | Reading Rainbow 📖 🌈 | Full Episode | @Kidzuko
YouTube video by Kidzuko
youtu.be
October 20, 2025 at 4:31 PM
Reading Rainbow episode 3 is live now on KidZuko on YouTube! 🌈🎉📚
Let's read "More Than Peach" by Bellen Woodard, who was just 9 years old when she wrote this inspiring story celebrating every beautiful shade of who we are ✨💖😊
youtu.be/e4VIV48ZB0M?feature=shared
Let's read "More Than Peach" by Bellen Woodard, who was just 9 years old when she wrote this inspiring story celebrating every beautiful shade of who we are ✨💖😊
youtu.be/e4VIV48ZB0M?feature=shared
Hi #portfolioday! I’m Matt Carlson, a children’s book illustrator and game designer who also works on drawing & painting apps at Adobe! Here are some spreads from my book “Talking Rocks & Minerals” - check out more stuff at dreamjar.com
October 14, 2025 at 9:03 PM
Hi #portfolioday! I’m Matt Carlson, a children’s book illustrator and game designer who also works on drawing & painting apps at Adobe! Here are some spreads from my book “Talking Rocks & Minerals” - check out more stuff at dreamjar.com
Here are a few snapshots from my Mapping the Future Workshop, part of Victoria Howell's Applied Resilience course at UC Berkeley Sutardja Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology (SCET).
We explored how maps can help you plan your future and imagine what’s next.
📷 Vicky Liu / SCET Photographer
We explored how maps can help you plan your future and imagine what’s next.
📷 Vicky Liu / SCET Photographer
October 12, 2025 at 9:04 PM
Here are a few snapshots from my Mapping the Future Workshop, part of Victoria Howell's Applied Resilience course at UC Berkeley Sutardja Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology (SCET).
We explored how maps can help you plan your future and imagine what’s next.
📷 Vicky Liu / SCET Photographer
We explored how maps can help you plan your future and imagine what’s next.
📷 Vicky Liu / SCET Photographer
Reposted by Matthew Carlson
If I hadn't had a great special education teacher, I would not be a writer today. I might not be anywhere, doing anything. Special education changes and saves lives.
There are reports that the *entire* office of special education at the US Dept of Education has been cut. These hardworking folks ensure kids with disabilities get equal access to a quality education.
America’s children deserve better than this.
America’s children deserve better than this.
October 11, 2025 at 6:03 PM
If I hadn't had a great special education teacher, I would not be a writer today. I might not be anywhere, doing anything. Special education changes and saves lives.
Reposted by Matthew Carlson
Reporting in from dystopian Portland
October 11, 2025 at 7:29 PM
Reporting in from dystopian Portland
4 of my favorite prints from the show!
October 11, 2025 at 6:14 PM
4 of my favorite prints from the show!
Taking requests at the art show!
October 11, 2025 at 6:11 PM
Taking requests at the art show!
Scenes from a tiny art show! I had my first solo show at Woander as part of the Mill Valley Art Walk last week. If you missed it, you can still drop by to pick up a copy of WanderSquares or my children’s book, Talking Rocks & Minerals!
woander.store
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#childrensbooks #kidlit #illustration
woander.store
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#childrensbooks #kidlit #illustration
October 11, 2025 at 6:10 PM
Scenes from a tiny art show! I had my first solo show at Woander as part of the Mill Valley Art Walk last week. If you missed it, you can still drop by to pick up a copy of WanderSquares or my children’s book, Talking Rocks & Minerals!
woander.store
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#childrensbooks #kidlit #illustration
woander.store
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#childrensbooks #kidlit #illustration
Reposted by Matthew Carlson
Doing my annual rewatch of this tonight🐈⬛
I had the absolute honor of getting to make a piece for the
@gallerynucleus.bsky.social Over the Garden Wall 10th Anniversary Tribute Show
I believe this piece is being made into a print with the gallery so keep your eyes peeled, give them a follow! The opening reception will be on Nov 2nd🎃
@gallerynucleus.bsky.social Over the Garden Wall 10th Anniversary Tribute Show
I believe this piece is being made into a print with the gallery so keep your eyes peeled, give them a follow! The opening reception will be on Nov 2nd🎃
October 6, 2025 at 12:39 AM
Doing my annual rewatch of this tonight🐈⬛