Little Nemo falling through “GOOGLE-Land”

The search giant honors the 107th anniversary of Winsor McCay’s “Little Nemo” with an imaginative, interactive Google Doodle inspired by the original, illustrative style of the “Little Nemo in Slumberland” comic strip.

(In October of 1905, Winsor McCay’s comic strip, “Little Nemo in Slumberland,” began its printed run in newspapers. Some later printings of the fantastical comic strip were renamed “In the Land of Wonderful Dreams.”)

Google Doodle honors the 150th birthday anniversary of artist Gustav Klimt

“The doodlers and I have waited for his big 150th birthday, so I knew that I had to brighten up the homepage in his iconic style. Using (faux) gold leaf and oil paint, I wanted to pay homage to Klimt with his most famous painting, “The Kiss.” I hope that our humble doodle does his brilliant legacy some justice!” — Jennifer Hom, via Google

Google Doodle for Mary Blair

Mary Blair’s 100th birthday anniversary is honored with a colorful Google Doodle logo. The Walt Disney storyboard artist, born on October 21st, 1911, is fondly remembered for her often whimsical, illustrative style in children’s books (notably Little Golden), advertisements, and concept art for classic Walt Disney animated films. And she especially was known for her wonderful use of color, as highlighted in a new Oscars tribute video.

“…Although Mary Blair is perhaps best known for the design of Disneyland’s “it’s a small world” attraction and park murals, her concept artwork for “Cinderella,” “Alice in Wonderland” and “Peter Pan” in the 1950s, as well as for earlier short subjects, reflects her unique sensibility and lasting influence on animation…” 
—The Academy on Mary Blair’s World of Color - A Centennial Tribute

Interactive Google Doodle remembering Art Clokey with Gumby characters

Google celebrates the 90th birthday anniversary of Arthur “Art” Clokey with an adorable, animated, interactive Gumby themed Google Doodle logo design (including Pokey and friends).

October 12, 2011, we celebrate Gumby creator Art Clokey’s 90th birthday, and Google is honoring this stop motion pioneer with a doodle. Google’s home page will feature a unique interactive stop motion clay doodle created by the Clokey Productions Premavision studios. Coinciding with the birthday fanfare is the premiere of the new http://www.Gumby.com website—Gumby’s new home!

“The Google Doodle is the perfect tribute to my fathers work,” says Joe Clokey, Art Clokey’s son and creator of Gumby’s new website. “Art’s life and film career were ahead of their time. My dad would have been thrilled to be connected with Google in this way.”

A true visionary and pioneer, Art Clokey touched millions around the world with his creations. Art’s clay animation short Gumbasia expressed an exciting kinesthetic brand of film making that has influenced many of our current leading directors…” —press release about Google Doodle for Gumby’s creator and the launch of new Gumby World site for classic film clips, history, products, and biographical information

“G” and “J” Blockhead, “Square Thinkers” (Gumby’s nemeses)

Prickle without Goo (dragon of dinosaur?)

Pokey pony (best friend and sidekick)

Aside from honoring the birthday of the late Art Clokey, the new Google Doodle is a fun way to reintroduce the characters made of clay from the stop-motion animated television classic. There’s plenty to read and watch about innovation in animation with Gumby.com as the base—only wish there were larger, archival images and photographs. Below is one of the old video gems:

Art Clokey’s early Gumby action / Montage of Clips from 50′s Episodes

nypl:

Librarians go viral! This amazing quote is printed on a carpet at the Duke University Medical Center Library. The folks there posted it to their Facebook page, where it got picked up and reposted by best-selling author Neil Gaiman, library lover and source of the quote. Authors, libraries, librarians - it’s perfect!

Google’s homepage connects to Apple to honor the life of Steve Jobs

On September 24th, 2011, Google celebrates what would’ve been Jim Henson’s 75th birthday with an interactive Google Doodle with digital puppets.

Google loves Lucy

On August 6th, 2011, Google Doodle commemorates the 100th birthday anniversary of comedic actress Lucille Ball with a sweet “I Love Lucy” video homage.

Google welcomes the summer solstice with Takashi Murakami’s “First Day of Summer” Google Doodle using Kaikai Kiki characters.

Being mindful of those south of the equator, Murakami made an alternative version of the Google Doodle. “First Day of Winter” illustrates an icy, colder scene with snowflakes and a warm scarf.

While Google in the US honored Mother’s Day, Google.it wished a very happy Google Doodle birthday anniversary to Roger Hargreaves and his beloved Mr Men and Little Miss characters.

(more logo design appropriations via design:related)

Every issue of Spy magazine (including pages with advertisements) now digitized thanks to Google.

(the above cover is from February 1991)

Google celebrates Halloween with their Scooby-Doo 5-panel Google doodle.

(Source: google.com)