Why do graphic designers worship the ampersand so much? It's almost surprising to look through a designer's type portfolio and not see a recreation of a overly large ampersand. But why all the fascination with a symbol thats really just filling in for and?
Some say it's because it is the most unique character in our typographer's arsenal, while others say it is because of the ampersand's beautiful structure. I think it is because by itself it represents a world of options and choices, like asking "and what will follow?" Creating or using the ampersand by itself allows viewers to attach anything they want to it, before and after, what ever they can imagine. Like . . . and they lived happily ever after.
But there is still the question of why the ampersand is like a rock star in the design world, there are several websites devoted solely to the ampersand and I would like to hear what others' thoughts are on the matter.
Just in case you wanted to have a look at a few of those Ampersand Websites:
The Ampersand
Bluefaqs: living and breathing design
The Web Designer Depot: the history of the ampersand
