"For an image-maker the collaboration is a dream, an opportunity to put visual flame to his narrative flint," wrote Titolo. "His words, his thoughts, his essence are the creative spaces entering my head and exiting my hand."

Close friends describe Titolo as an uncompromising artist of tremendous work ethic, a philosopher, a storyteller—"he loved to talk more than me, and that's saying something," said the notoriously loquacious Lewis—whose "whole life was his art—it poured out of his soul." Former students remember the humor, wisdom and infectious enthusiasm of an instructor who taught them always to experiment, the importance of doing what you love, and how to live and appreciate life as an artist. His Critique 1 class in the MFA Illustration program, also know as Perpetual Appetizers, encouraged students "to enter uncharted territory, and acknowledge that many great recipes have been discovered by an accidental spill of a condiment that never appeared in the original recipe." Critique 2, taught with Arisman, led students through the process of making a book, "the point where hopefully all the appetizers have been recorded and digested and the project begins." He and Arisman also co-curated the Department's annual Book Show for many years.

An outpouring on Instagram and across Twitter reflects the indelible impact Titolo had on his students and the SVA community. "I'm a different artist today because of Carl. My teaching will always bear some of his imprint," wrote John Hendrix (MFA 2003 Illustration as Visual Essay). "Man of such style, wisdom, and passion. You made a huge impression on me," posted Joana Avillez (MFA 2012 Illustration as Visual Essay), while Joanna Neborsky (MFA 2009 Illustration as Visual Essay) noted, "He radiated kindness, toughness, humor, style, love. I couldn't get over what a New York character he was." "Utterly irreplaceable. He changed my perspective for good," wrote Brian Britigan ( MFA 2017 Illustration as Visual Essay) and created this tribute image that he posted on Instagram.

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