Most popular Google searches 2004
Topic: Logos
Search patterns, trends, and surprises "Based on billions of searches conducted by Google users around the world, the 2004 Year-End Zeitgeist offers a unique perspective on the year's major events and trends." (via marchdesign)

The most popular queries 2004: 1. britney spears, 2. paris hilton 3. christina aguilera, 4. pamela anderson, 5. chat, 6. games, 7. carmen electra, 8. orlando bloom, 9. harry potter, 10. mp3. Read more on Google Zeitgeist

Compare this with Janet Jackson: Web's Most Wanted 2004 from The Top 100 search terms of 2004 on The Lycos 50

»Image: Britney Spears, Esquire, Magazine cover November 2003
»Check out the complete Esquire Cover Gallery since 1933

The Esquire logo was drawn by lettering artist and type designer Jim Parkinson in collaboration with Roger Black and Ann Pomeroy. You can see Parkinson's work at his website, including the Esquire logo.

Absolut Vodka Advertising
Topic: Advertising
V&S, the makers of Renat Brännvin also makes Absolut. They say Absolut Vodka's advertising campaign is the world's longest ever uninterrupted one. To this date, it comprises 1,450 original ads, with more added each month. One of my favorites is Absolut Rome with a red Vespa scooter. Check the ad archives:

»absolutads.com is "a tribute to the imagination and artistic feeling reflected in these ads."
»absolutad.org is "an archive of the cool Absolut Vodka ads that appear in different magazines."
»On absolutad.com "you will find all the information you would ever want or need to know about Absolut ad collecting."
»absolut.com is the official Absolut web site.
»Search eBay for Absolut Vodka Collectibles
»Swedish company Vin & Sprit won the rights to the domain name Absolut-Porno-Star.com. Read the WIPO Domain Name Decision: D2002-0926 3.Dec.2002 (via grep.law)

Adbusters Spoof Ads
Topic: Advertising
"Drink provokes the desire but takes away the performance" -- William Shakespeare

Adbusters Culture Jammers spoof ads about fashion, tobacco, alcohol, food...
»Visit the gallery on adbusters.org

Merry Christmas!
Topic: Design
Renat Brännvin (Swedish Vodka) schnapps is on the Christmas dining table year after year. The bottle was redesigned in 2002. New bottle (to the right) by Jan Johansson, Orrefors glass factory. The new label was designed by Roland Ingemarsson, Studio Ring AB.
»Read more in the V&S press releases: 20.Feb.2002, 29.Oct.2002 (in Swedish).

Beatles Christmas Records - mp3
Topic: Music
The Beatles Christmas Records "If you were fortunate enough to have been a member of the official Beatles fan club between 1963 and 1969, then you likely have heard one or more of these records. The Beatles recorded them and sent them out to their adoring fans every year, finally collecting them all on one album for the 1970 edition."

»Listen to the Beatles Christmas Records on Sci-Fi-Hi-Fi (mp3)

Read a Carl Barks Christmas story today
Topic: Comics
Carl Barks - Today, me and my kids are reading Carl Barks' Christmas Stories. My favorite is "Christmas on Bear Mountain" from Donald Duck Four Color no.178 (1947).

>Read Christmas on Bear Mountain online via Kit's Silver Age Comic Books
>Here is a list of Disney Comics Online
>More about Carl Barks the Disney artist who created Scrooge McDuck and many well-loved comic books.


>Kop Walt Disney's Kalle Anka, Carl Barks Julbok 1945-1963 fr?n Bokus Bokhandel (Swedish Bookstore)

Vintage Pelikan Ink Bottle on eBay (Bulgaria 1936)
Topic: Pens, Pencils
Made 1936 in Bulgarian Pelikan factory The label is cool but I am not bidding on this huge Pelikan ink bottle, eBay item #2294814895. The slogan is "Very easy to write with and doesn't damage the nibs" (Auction ends 23.Dec.2004)

¶Search eBay for Pelikan Pens

¶More about Pelikan on the Pelikan Calligraphy page

UPDATE: Winning bid was US $ 36.95

Great Penmanship on eBay
Topic: Calligraphy
C P Zaner business card and other great samples of ornamental penmanship from the Zanerian College of Penmanship are sold on eBay by Del Tysdal in Glyndon, Minnesota. Search eBay for Ornamental Penmanship (Auctions ends 28-30 Dec.2004)

»More about Ornamental Penmanship on my E.A. Lupfer page

Blog Buttons or Stickers
Topic: Blogging
Button Maker
Create 80x15 buttons for your blog with the Button Maker by Bill Zeller. Adam Kalsey put together the user interface


Silkscreen
The bitmap font is 'Silkscreen', freeware by Jason Kottke


Gtmcknight
Steal 'em - Taylor McKnight's great button collection.


Niblog
The 80*15 Niblog button is made with Photoshop.

Jimmy Corrigan - The Smartest Kid on Earth
Topic: Comics

IAMPETH - The International Association of Master Penmen, Engrossers and Teachers of Handwriting
Topic: Calligraphy
IAMPETH is an international association of over 400 members strong dedicated to practicing and preserving the beautiful art of fine penmanship. Founded in 1949, it is the oldest and largest penmanship organization in the United States. Download the Penman's Journal, Fall 2003 (pdf 6.8MB).
Read more on the Official Homepage of IAMPETH

Bound & Lettered (formerly Tabellae Ansatae)
Topic: Calligraphy
Bound & Lettered (formerly Tabellae Ansatae) provides practical information on bookbinding, calligraphy, artists' books, and papercraft. This quarterly publication features how-to articles with step-by-step instructions and illustrations, artist galleries featuring the works of accomplished calligraphers & books artists, useful articles on tools & materials and book & exhibit reviews. Download Sample Issue Vol.3, No.2 (pdf 5.5MB) from John Neal Bookseller

William Shakespeare Action Figure with removable Quill Pen!
Topic: Quills
To buy or not to buy the Shakespeare action figure... that is the question!
Today I almost bought the hard plastic William Shakespeare Action Figure as a christmas gift. I really liked the removable book and quill pen! Then I realized my son doesn't play with action figures anymore, and so I didn't buy it (from the Combo Store in Stockholm).

»The Shakespeare toy is produced by Accoutrements. They also makes Albert Einstein, Sigmund Freud, Beethoven, Jesus and many more action figures
»Search eBay auctions for William Shakespeare Action Figures
»Buy the Shakespeare Action Figure from EntertainmentEarth.com

UPDATE: View a larger image on my flickr.com

The Bonefolder - a journal for the bookbinder and book artist
Topic: Design
The Bonefolder is a new free e-magazine about book arts, hand bookbinding, teaching, business practice, the history of the book, general tips & tricks, exhibitions, how-to technical articles, and reviews. Download The Bonefolder - Vol.1, No.1, Fall 2004 (pdf 1.6MB) or read more on the Book Arts Web

Ornamental Penmanship on eBay auctions
Topic: Calligraphy
Fancy signature cards and other great samples of original pen and ink ornamental penmanship from the Zanerian College of Penmanship are sold on eBay by Del Tysdal in Glyndon, Minnesota. Search eBay for Ornamental Penmanship (Auctions ends 20.Dec.2004)

»More about Ornamental Penmanship on my E.A. Lupfer page

Thomas Ingmire's Calligraphy
Topic: Calligraphy
Calligraphy & Fine Art by San Francisco calligrapher Thomas Ingmire.

Breast Implants ...cheaper than a car and better than a fountain pen
Topic: Pens, Pencils
Breast Implants are becoming quite the graduation gift. "It's cheaper than a car and better than a fountain pen." says Miami doctor Lenny Roudner, who is so popular among women seeking implants that his nickname is "Dr. Boobner". Read more in the article 'More teens see implants as a right' by Jodi Mailander Farrell on azcentral.com (Image text: 'Pamela Anderson is just one of the celebrities famous for her implants.')

>For a more appropriate gift, check out my favorite Calligraphy Fountain Pens

AIGA - Symbol Signs
Topic: Signs
The complete set of 50 passenger/pedestrian symbols developed by AIGA is now available, free of charge. Signs are available in EPS and GIF formats from AIGA - American Institute of Graphic Arts

Blog Directory and Resources
Topic: Blogging
I have listed the Niblog in:

Globe of Blogs
"An index of weblogs as submitted by their authors."

Blogwise
"...a site bringing you a collection of blogs by keyword, country and more."

Blogdex
"...a research project of the MIT Media Laboratory tracking the diffusion of information through the weblog community."

Blogarama
"Blog Directory - Blogs and Blog Resources!"

The Original 50 Dilbert Strips
Topic: Comics
The Dawn of Dilbert Scott Adams mailed fifty Dilbert strips to the major cartoon syndicates in 1988. Reactions were mixed. Read the first 50 strips and the rejection letters on the official Dilbert website Dilbert.com

"The first Dilbert strip was published in April of 1989. Now it runs in over 2000 papers."