Ending Week One on a high note
Our first week of infographics training here in Cape Town ended with a fifth consecutive perfect day.
Folks are responding very, very well to the message I’ve brought from the world of visual journalism. The artists here are all very talented and highly motivated to improve their work and their newspapers. But all too often, they’re asked only to decorate a page or to liven up a presentation.
Preaching Friday about the power of the two-column graphic.
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We’ve stressed the importance of storytelling and of visuals as a powerful storytelling device. Infographics that have power and meaning. Artists that participate — and even lead, at times — the reporting and editing process.
The importance of being not an artist, but a visual journalist.
Wednesday was a big day. That was the day I hit the emotional climax of my presentations, turning a visual journalism lecture into a motivational speech. Those of you who’ve seen my presentations know just what I mean.
The folks here seemed to become electrified by the message on Wednesday. Since then, there’s been a noticeable change in the atmosphere of the classroom. Folks are spilling over with ideas for graphics big and small and can’t seem to get them out of their heads and onto the page quickly enough.
Yesterday I showed you a District 9 movie graphic one of my
students dreamed up and sold to editors. Here is a sports graphic
drawn Friday by another student that is running in today’s
(Satuday’s) papers, I’m told. It shows a rule change in how rugby
players are allowed to use their hands. The big change here was
in how the artist used colors in the drawings. Subtle is good.
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As a teacher, of course, it’s gratifying to see this change. Normally, I’ll teach for three hours or eight hours or whatever and then go on my way. Sometimes, I hear back from happy students and sometimes I don’t.
This time, however, I’m on-site long enough to see the results of my work. And it’s been a blast.
Once I got to the end of my off-and-on formal lecture pieces, we encouraged the artists to brainstorm ideas and begin working on various projects that could result in usable graphics. And a few artists already have live assignments to work on. We encouraged them to bring a new approach to whatever work they’re asked to do.
In addition to the progress we made in the classroom Friday, two big things happened. First, the class decided to honor me with a surprise gift:
It’s a traditional-style African shirt. And gorgeous, too!
What just stunned me, though, was the touching card my students signed. They wrote:
- Thanx for all your inspiration and opening up a whole new world for me.
- How wonderful to learn so much already in just one week!
- Thanks for the huge inspiration.
- Thank you for unveiling so many new doors. I am no longer just an illustrator!
- Thanks for making me look forward to working again.
- Thank you for the experience and wonderful examples. Eat your dog.
I have to tell you, folks, it was definitely the most satisfying moment in my teaching and mentoring career. I was completely overwhelmed with emotion. And by a powerful urge to go home and eat my dog.
From left: Morné, the guy who did the District 9 graphic;
Anton; Elsolet; myself; Salomé and Hanlie. The empty chair
belongs to Jaco, the man behind the camera.
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A short while later, folks from the newspaper management approached me and asked if I’d possibly be interested in staying to teach here a third week. Again, I was overwhelmed by these folks and their thirst for knowledge and their search for ways to better serve their readers.
We won’t know for sure until Monday. But sure, I told them, I’d be happy to be of service.
We had a very satisfying Friday afternoon and then we broke up the group for the weekend. The students went on their way and my consulting friend and I went to a Vietnamese food restaurant for dinner. Where, yes, I was terrified to try food I’ve never had before.
We had some kind of baked fish and grilled beef. And it was all delicious. I feel shame, at times, for my being so screamish about exotic food. But usually, it all works out.
Or maybe I’m just lucky.
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The plan for today: My consulting friend has a rental car. We’re planning to drive down the peninsula here and check out all the scenic bays. The Cape of Good Hope is about 30 miles or so from here. I’d love to shoot some photos from the lighthouse atop the enormous bluff facing the point where the Atlantic meets the Indian Ocean.
Sunday, I have plans to meet three of my students very early in hopes of riding the cable car to the top of Table Mountain, the large geological feature that looms over downtown Cape Town:
I’m told the view from up there is incredible.
Today has dawned very grey. Clouds are forecast. However, it’s still very comfortable outside.
Here’s a quick look at the Cape Town vicinity and the surrounding area. Zoom out to see all the notes I’ve included. The red is my hotel, yellow are sites we plan to see this weekend and green are places I’ve seen an blogged about already:
View Cape Town, South Africa in a larger map
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EXPEDITION TO SOUTH AFRICA
You’re reading chapter ten of my journey to Cape Town, South Africa. Previous installments:
- CHAPTER 1: Preparing for the journey.
- CHAPTER 2: I made it as far as the Dulles airport bar
- CHAPTER 3: Getting really bored sitting at Dulles
- CHAPTER 4: Safe and sound in Cape Town
- CHAPTER 5: Day one in Cape Town
- CHAPTER 6: Day two; No effects at all from jet lag
- CHAPTER 7: A tour of the Westin Grand
- CHAPTER 8: Dealing with little things like money and electricity
- CHAPTER 9: Thursday night on the Cape Town waterfront