Wowza, what a truly wonderful year 2010 has been. Indeed much better than I could have ever imagined. All I can say is thank you, thank you. Yes, many thanks to each one of you out there for your terrific support and readership, your submissions and sharing AQ-V links. And an extra special ‘grazie’ to my utterly fantastic contributor, Sandi Vincent. Sandi has enriched this site with her deep well of mid-century graphic collections, her time and camaraderie. I can not thank her enough. (Plus a heap of gratitude to our mutual friend, brilliant mind-bending silkscreen artist/illustrator Kate Banazi for suggesting the idea.)
Below you will find images and linkage to the most popular Aqua-Velvet posts of 2010 as quantified by visitors and page views. Many of my own personal favorites are in this batch. Others I wish had made the list but that is quite alright, I am happy to let you guys decide. If you have a favorite yourself, I would really love to hear from you in the comments section. I know there are many of you out there but very few of you folks leave comments. Any feedback would be extremely welcome.
A very happy 2011 to you, may it exceed all your expectations. I look forward to hanging out with you next year. There is much more in store. Speaking of which, be on the lookout for some great giveaways in coming months—a small token of my appreciation.
The very best to you always!
–Amy
Top 15
01. World of Logotypes Parts 1-5 + All Classic Logos
02. Gordon Parks – Painted Hermes Dresses, 1952
03. Mid-Century Corporate Design – Part 1
04. Modernist Eero Saarinen – Parts 1-3
05. The Japanese Postcard – Parts 1-5
06. Swiss Origins – Graphic Design Highlights, 1933-1970
07. Soviet Anti-Alcohol Propaganda Posters
08. Japanese Illustration, 1960s
10. Photo Essay – IBM Computers, 1969
11. Photo Essay – Destination Moon, 1950
12. Tribute to Poland – Poster Design 1917–1970
13. Modern Photography – October, 1965
14. Mid-Century Japanese Travel Posters
15. The Speculative World of Archigram – Part 1 + Part 2
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{ 16 comments… read them below or add one }
Excellent recap! You have such a wonderful eye for design.
I think one of my favorite posts from the year was definitely the Vintage Travel Posters one: http://aqua-velvet.com/2010/11/vintage-travel-posters-boston-public-library/
I just wanted to let you know Aqua-Velvet has become one of my favourites! You post consistently cool, high-quality posts!
Thanks Michael and JGemmill for stopping by and taking time to leave a comment! I appreciate the super kind words.
And Michael, agreed. Boston Public Library’s vintage travel poster collection is grand. :)
Good choice as always Amy. All of them are unique in their own way. Happy New Year!
Thanks Adri! But ha, I didn’t choose these, the readers did. :)
Happy New Year, friend!
Oy, me and always running. Great choice nevertheless :)) They had a well curated list to pick from.
You’re my one stop source book for inspiration…. looking forward to the coming year and all the amazing stuff that you and Sandi will share.
Thanks to both of you for your stalwart support.. to the dream team HOORAH!
Excellent choices Amy. I look forward to all the inspiration that Aqua Velvet will hold in 2011!
Well, my personal favorite, which did not make the list, was the hairy car advertisement. I think that was from 2010. Enjoyed this fabulous compilation.
I’ve had such fun contributing to Aqua-Velvet. I have learned so much in my dives down various vintage rabbit holes and look forward to mining further good stuff in 2011. Thanks so much for the opportunity to share my finds.
An especially good year, I say. Thanks for sharing all the wonderful art along with rich intriguing information about the artists. Far too many great posts to pick favorites… I do know my favorite blog though… AQ-V!! Happy New Year!
Hi you guys, great to see ‘old’ friends. :) Thank you for the kind words, much appreciated!
Adri: :))
Kate: Dream Team, heh. Thanks, you… will strive to live up to it.
Kyle: Thank you always!
MG: Thank you, pal. Ha, that hairy car ad by Jonathan Gurvit is brilliant and grin-worthy…
http://aqua-velvet.com/2010/06/jonathan-gurvit-argentina/
Sandi: Man, I have learned so much too. Thanks again for your ace posts and coming along for the ride!
J: Mr. AQ-V, a perpetual grazie dear sir for your amazing support! :)
I look forward to your posts every time I start up the laptop, always brilliantly and economically curated. So many favourites – but the photo essay “moon landing” – (there is just something about black and white that works so well in this medium) and the Japanese illustrations are at the top of my list. Cant wait to see what gems you come up with this year.
Ray
This site is amazing and inspirational. I have sometimes reblogged your findings (with credit of course) because I know my readers will love them as much as I do. The Japanese postcards were my faves this year but it’s hard to pick really.
Hi Ray and Liza! :) Thanks so much you guys for the super kind feedback. You both have picked some of my own favorites too. Hoping to unearth some more gems over 2011. It’s been a grand easter egg hunt to date.
p.s. What great shops you guys have! Great eye and curation. Ray, I know you know your stuff. And Liza, if I ever find myself in Vermont, would love to visit your brick and mortar.
Thank you Amy. I’d love to have you visit my teeny tiny store. Meanwhile, I will keep visiting you here.