“Krazy Kat” (1940)

Cartoons, whether editorial, political, or narrative, are not just entertainment. They are societal commentary, humors that reflect and shape cultural history. They are artifacts that record public sentiment, critique power, and visualize social change. Through the combination of typography, illustration, and composition, cartoons influence both design and public discourse.  

Published on October 6, 1940, this is one of many of George Herriman’s Krazy Cat comic strips as seen in American newspapers between 1913 - 1944. Herriman’s surreal compositions and shifting landscapes shattered previously established conventions of panel structure and color. His work heavily influenced modern design and animation. Herriman's work provide freedom that allows designers to experiment with spatial composition, abstraction, and color, using design as a narrative rhythm.