In this article, the authors use visual communications as a way to illuminate race relations and higher education from 1944 to 1960. They analyze photographs, and also draw on the history of graphic design to discuss the style of the publications in which they are placed. The pieces that they analyze are historical-drawn from the papers of the United Negro College Fund (UNCF). On the most basic level, their study looks at the appearance of individual publicity pieces (their style, layout, and the correspondence of text and image) and compares them to other materials available at the time, including publications from both the black and white worlds. It gleans several themes, including attitude toward social integration; the curriculum and needs of the black college; and idealization, loyalty, and patriotism. Finally, the study compares these messages to the desired goals of the UNCF--in particular, the need to appeal to black leadership, black alumni, and white donors. It situates the UNCF's overall approach within the history of post-War and Cold War politics. As well as adding to their understanding of the role of publicity in higher education, this paper uncovers an African American perspective on the history of graphic design. (Contains 13 figures and 87 notes.)