Design of Race: How Visual Culture Shapes America

Peter Fine's study explores how new visual technologies in the US embedded racialized ideas about African Americans and privileged whiteness in modernist ideals of visual form. It examines the history of typography, lithography, photography, and contemporary film and television, fine art, and digital design to understand how racialized representation has been configured and contested.

Format: Hardback
Length: 216 pages
Publication date: 11 February 2021
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

Peter Fine's groundbreaking study delves into the evolution of a pervasive visual culture in the United States, shedding light on the significant role played by new visual technologies in perpetuating racialized notions about African Americans. Moreover, it explores how whiteness was privileged within modernist ideals of visual form. Fine's comprehensive analysis spans a historical timeline, examining the visual and material expressions of this process through the examination of three pivotal technologies of mechanical reproduction: typography, lithography, and photography. By delving into these technologies, Fine provides a rich tapestry of insights into how racialized representation has been structured and challenged in contemporary realms of film and television, fine art, and digital design.

The study begins by tracing the historical roots of typography, which emerged as a means of mass communication during the Industrial Revolution. Fine explores how typography played a crucial role in shaping public perception and perpetuating stereotypes about African Americans. He examines the use of specific fonts, lettering styles, and layout designs that reinforced racial biases and perpetuated negative perceptions. Through his analysis, Fine highlights the ways in which typography became a tool for reinforcing social hierarchies and perpetuating discriminatory practices.

Next, Fine turns his attention to lithography, a printing technology that revolutionized the production of visual media. He explores how lithography facilitated the widespread dissemination of images and the creation of mass-produced visual materials. Fine examines the ways in which lithography was used to perpetuate racial stereotypes and promote white supremacy. He highlights the use of standardized images, such as portraits of famous individuals, that were reproduced in mass quantities and distributed across different media platforms. Through his analysis, Fine demonstrates how lithography contributed to the normalization of racialized representations and the reinforcement of white privilege.

Finally, Fine examines the impact of photography on the formation of visual culture. He explores how photography emerged as a powerful tool for capturing and reproducing images, and how it played a significant role in shaping public perception and perpetuating racial stereotypes. Fine examines the ways in which photographers used lighting, composition, and framing to create images that reinforced racial biases and perpetuated negative perceptions. He also explores the ways in which photography has been used as a tool for challenging and contesting racialized representations, highlighting the work of photographers who have sought to challenge traditional narratives and promote more inclusive and accurate portrayals of diverse communities.

In conclusion, Peter Fine's innovative study offers a profound exploration of the development of a mass visual culture in the United States. Through his meticulous analysis of typography, lithography, and photography, Fine sheds light on the ways in which new visual technologies have played a central role in perpetuating racialized notions about African Americans. Moreover, he highlights the ways in which whiteness has been privileged within modernist ideals of visual form. Fine's work provides valuable insights into the complex dynamics of visual representation and its impact on society. By examining the historical roots of these technologies and their role in shaping visual culture, Fine offers a roadmap for understanding the ongoing challenges and opportunities associated with promoting diversity and inclusivity in visual media.

Weight: 466g
Dimension: 164 x 240 x 18 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781474299565