Assignment: Share Your Work

Cartoons, the visual art of storytelling invades our psyche, influences pop culture and can be a catalyst for change. Historical figures, Benjamin Franklin, and Paul Rivere used this medium to describe the unjust conditions experienced by columnist at the hands of the British. Benjamin Franklin’s running commentary on how the colonist were oppressed was depicted in a cartoon with snakes representing colonist. Their Join or Die Campaign was the first political cartoon published in America by the Pennsylvania Gazette on May 9th, 1754.

“Cartoons introduced generations of readers to symbolic ways of addressing the continuing problems of society and the philosophic questions of mankind…[They please] our visual sensibilities by bringing to life the kinds of dramatic conflicts that enable us to work out vicariously our internal frustrations” (Lester, pg.233).


Walt Disney was one of the most prolific and profitable cartoonist in the world. He revolutionized the art of storytelling by making cartoons more profitable by introducing preplanned storyboards. He taught creative types how to mass market their characters and make huge profit from product placements, endorsements, etc. Despite these achievements he was accused of making non-descriptive uninspired cartoons free of controversy. In fact Walt Disney, used his talents to make propaganda films for the military.

This would be in stark contrast to the current crop of cartoons airing on TV. The Simpsons cartoon exploits their first amendment freedom by poking fun at “sacred cows”. Simpsons creator Matt Groening, incorporates all demographic types in lambasting dysfunctional families, real life situations, and everyday culture.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading the chapter pertaining to television and stereotypes. Paul Michael Lester, the author of our textbooks, Visual Communications: Images With Messages, has me taking an introspective look at my hypocrisy involving the representation of minorities in cartoons and television.

Spike Lee was upset at the demeaning portrayal of Afro Americans in a cartoon executive produced by Will Vinton. The cartoon highlighted residents living in a high-rise projects, sitting around a table drinking malt liquor. He resented how those cartoons played to racial stereotypes that characterized a group of people as lazy. However, critics contend that he was overreacting. Homer Simpson, and his cronies can often be found drinking Duff Beer on Fox’s animated series.

“Expecting television programs to be completely free from some kind of stereotyping of individuals is unreasonable. Someone, somewhere, is bound to be object to a media characterization. But because of the enormous scope and influence of television, producers need to be especially sensitive to characterizations that have the potential to cause harm” (Lester, pg.340).

Amos and Andy was a radio program that many Americans found entertaining. The show voiced by white actors was a media darling and played on air for twenty years. However, the transition to television was a failure. The first primetime show featuring an all Afro American cast had the NAACP organizing a boycott against one of its sponsors, BLATZ Bear. Critics contend that “every black is either a clown or a crook. Seeing the program than actually hearing it, made the program more racist . White males dominate comic strips and images.



The chapter on graphic design and the six perspectives reintroduce us to the creative genius and visual impulses of Saul Bass. We are reminded of his importance to cinema, graphic designers, marketing, and mass media. Alfred Hitchcock incorporated his vision and encouraged him to create storyboards for one of his most visually appealing and scary murder scenes in the film Psycho. Visual images of Janet Leigh being shanked by her costar Anthony Perkins, left audiences spellbound. “It was one of the most memorable visual messages in the history of Motion Pictures” (Lester, pg.154).


“He understood the importance of visual communication and gaining a viewers attention and keeping the message in a persons long term memory” (Lester, pg.155).

Visual Persuasion


It was interesting to go back in time to the fourth century B.C.E. and research the musings of Greek philosopher Aristotle who waxed nostalgically about the art of persuasion. Persuasion he noted has three components: Ethos (credible sources), Logos (Logical Arguments), Pathos (Emotional Appeal). I would argue that these are the tools of the trade for mass communication. Aristotle believed that an individual must be credible, use logic, or a factual information to influence others or change perceptions.

Mayweather vs Pacqio

A heavy solid gold chain adorns Floyd “Money” Mayweathers neck;
similar to the Egyptians; symbolically representing a sign of wealth.
His clothing speaks volume about his image and street persona. Opulent
jewelry is associated with wealth. Historically this picture
represents the excess of the “Me Generation” before the economic
bubble popped. Culturally it defines the dysfunctional relationship
that African Americans traditionally associate wealth. Instead of
investing in stocks and bonds: professional athletes wear their net
worth around their neck; Blinged Out.

Floyd Mayweather is making a subliminal dis to boxing. By not
appearing in the photo with ring attire, he is making a statement.
Standing in the center of the ring his prurient interest in boxing is
perverted by his need for self-promotion. Hedonism trumps
utilitarianism.
The underlying theme is Pretty Boy Mayweather is larger than the sport
of boxing. His moniker, Floyd “Make Money” would support that
assertion. Ironically had I chosen a different photo I could have
shown a more balanced narrative and ethos of this complicated man. In
fact some naysayer’s and boxing affection may say his braggadocios
ways and well warranted.

An objective observer would recognize his boxing pedigree. His uncle
and dad are former WBC boxers. Pound for Pound this undefeated
champion has enhanced the profitability of the sport. Besides lifting
boxing out of its doldrums with the exception of retired boxer and
promoter; Oscar De LaHoya, he is one of sports most bankable stars.
His considerable talents have made casinos and cable television
billions of dollars. His brand has made him $20 million dollars and
legions of new fans imitating another boxing legend; Muhammad Ali. He
fought a professional wrestler in Vince McMahon’s WWE franchise.

This tactic is part of our historical consciousness; emblazoned in
popular folklore; characterized on film in the Rocky movies. However
his ethos is more remiscent of a cartoon movie, Run Chicken Run as he
ducks out of fighting Manny Pacquio on bogus grounds. He refuses to
fight Manny Pacquio because he wants him to submit to drug testing;
However he did not demand these same criteria for his May 7th fight
with former boxer champ, Sugar Shane Mosley.

Saul Bass said “sometime we design for our peers and not to solve
communication problems“. This resembles my feeble attempt to justify
my selection of the above for mentioned photo. However to showcase
other perspectives in visual communication; depth light, coloring, et
al. I chose this picture of Manny Pacquio.
Photojournalists bore easily taking photo of staged and sporting
events, i.e., politicians 2 ribbon cutting ceremonies; athletes taking
victory lap around the ring. A healthy dose of skeptism is involved
when viewing these photos by spin doctors, publicists, or artistic
types. Images are used to evoke a positive response for their clients
an unsuspecting public.

Unless you have the back-story you don’t know the true intent or
propaganda campaign promulgated. Pugilist wearing the coveted belt
adoring their magnificent body are there to evoke pathos. An emotional
response dripped into symbolism. This iconic photo represents an image
of what it is supposed to show. Manny Pacquio, a boxer emerging
victorious in the ring.

In stark contrast to Mayweather pictorial images; the photos
exemplified in the Juan Marquez fight has political and cultural
underpinning. The images from the fight highlight British philosopher:
Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart code. Utilitarianism - the greatest
good for the greatest number of people. Manny Pacquio embodies the
American dream to his fellow countrymen and immigrants. Furthermore;
he has leveraged this good will to become a legislator from the
Philippines. His sense of pride and visual cues of having the
Philippines flag in the backdrop of his boxing photos with three green
championship rings will help him leverage advertising and economic
opportunities for his homeland. Light radiates energy and a sense of
passion and warmth. The boxing belts radiate prosperity and wealth.
His photo represents depth and mood. Despite the fact he seems happy
for winning the fight his face belies the look of a determined
journeyman. Manny Pacquio has arrived! Historical references allude to
him as an undisputed, “People Champ” Elder statesman of the sport.

Manny Pacquio star continues to shine brightly inside and outside the squared circle. His athletic prowess and compassionate nature has allowed him to reach the top echelon of political power in his native homeland. This Philippine legislator has used his celebrity status to highlight the problems of the poor and encourage global communities to invest in this third world country via tourism. This patron saint of boxing has aroused interest from another iconic figure, Nelson Mandela. His daughter tried to coax Floyd Mayweather out of retirement to fight the peoples champ. However,  Floyd Mayweather continues to duck the heavyweight champ many boxing fans consider the best boxer “pound for pound”.

Saul Bass

Saul Bass iconic status is legendary. It can be attributed to his rejection the status quo on how graphic designers and film makers create title

sequences in featured films. As a graphic designer and noted film maker his work brought him legions of fans; Hollywood royalty-Martin Scorsese, Stanley Kubic, Alfred Hitchcock, et al. Carmen Jones, a film

directed by Otto Premier put him on the map with industry giants. This film was a box office an

d critical success. Hailed by his peers as a genius. He singlehandedly resurrected the art form of storytelling. Utilizing, visual cues in the opening and closing sequences of film he extended the story arc to moviegoers.

This Native New Yorker born in the Bronx; credits his influence, in modernism to his mentor, Gydrgy Keepes, a Brooklyn College alumni.

Despite winning an Oscar for his documentary, “Why Man Creates”, his creative impulses could not be stifled nor restricted to the Silver Screen. Bass is responsible for creating eye catching visually appealing logos for Fortune 500 companies: AT&T, Quaker Oats, Minolta et al. Besides designing draw dropping posters like West Side Story: He is revered by cinematographer for pioneering new uses of digital animation in graphic design. Click here to see many of Saul Bass's movie posters.

Saul Bass animation and cinematography continues to inspire a new crop of filmmakers, graphic designers and animators. Although he died in the 1990s his work lives on. The fan trailer for the film X-Men First Class was inspired by his work.