Comic Update: Ampersand Lust
Posted by Kyle Weems on November 24, 2009Edit (12/05/2009): I’ve created a vector version of this comic. If you’d like to see the old, hand-drawn version, it can be seen here.
Today’s comic is hand-drawn, and hastily at that, so please forgive the roughness. I’m breaking in a new Windows 7 machine at work, and have had zero free time at home thus far this week. However, I had to provide a comedic take on designers, ampersands, and their unending lust for one another.
If time permits, this will be re-cast in the forge of vector.
I took my inspiration for today’s frivolty from Dave Shea’s recent tweet on the topic, hence his presence in the comic. Dan Cederholm fits well as what we’ll call Exhibit A. His site’s very banner features an elaborate, carefully cared-for member of this strange, storied symbol. His actions in the comic tend towards the vulgar, but I’m pretty sure that if ampersands walked about, at least one designer would try to jump them in this fashion.
As for me, I find our little “&” friend to be a fun part of our typographic heritage. But I know so little about typography that I haven’t been infected by this particular syndrome (ampersandphilia?). I try my best to fit in amongst those who crave it, like a teetotaler carrying a cup of ginger ale when socializing with drunks, but sooner or later someone’s going to notice that my heart’s just not in it, at which point I’ll need to flee like Frankenstein’s monster ahead of the pitchfork crowd.
Now, bacon on the other hand…
Tags: ampersand, Comic, dan cederholm, dave shea, hand-drawn, lust
There’s a nice article on Retinart with info about the ampersand and other “unknown” typographic marks, it’s quite interesting (and not that long), really. There are also links for further reading, if you feel like feeding your inner typophile.
@Gonzalo – I like the word “pilcrow”. Thanks for the link!
What’s up with all that bacon stuff going on all over the internet? Is this just another meme, like rickrolls or the keyboard cat, or is there something gastronomical involved?
@VeoSotano – Meme. One powered by how delicious bacon is. Mmmmm.
No wonder all English-speaking people are FAT!
We’re not all fat. It’s not like Americans have a holiday dedicated to eating and debaucher the day before said holiday.
Okay… we may have something like that which contributes to the “fatness,” but bacon, delicious bacon, is not solely to blame .
You know what? I carry specimens of all the most famous typefaces around with me, but I’ve completely forgotten to add an ampersand. I’ve only recently added numbers to the mix of brown foxes and lazy dogs.
That said, I’ve only just been getting into typography, myself. I can identify Garamond, Palatino Linotype, Arial, Helvetica, Times New Roman, and some others, but I’ve not yet looked at Tahoma. Ampersands are a few months into my future.
Also, I notice your new anti-spam field! Putting IE8 to good use, I see.