There are two types of people in the world: those who treat gift shopping like an Olympic sport, and those who keep a stockpile of gift cards in their desk drawer for every occasion. In the spirit the holidays, we’ll keep it real with you guys. While we take no issue with gift cards (well played TBH), there’s nothing quite like a present that comes from the heart.
At 99designs, not only do we know a thing or two about creativity—we also fancy ourselves the first kind of person. (And boy, do we love a Santa’s helper cosplay.) We asked our designer community, our friends and your favorite creators-in-the-wild to give us all their gift ideas. From that, we curated this ultimate gift guide just for you.
This puppy is loaded with unequivocally cool things—from unique stocking stuffers to experiential gifts and even furniture(!). It’s big. It’s grand. It’s a little extra, if we do say so ourselves. But you’d be hard-pressed to find a better one out there.
Up first is the “Adventure Awaits” print by Furry Little Peach, who you might recognize from Instagram or her inspiring Youtube channel. This A3 beauty has been created using archival ink on 100% cotton paper, meaning it won’t fade or wear over time.
Combine this with a nice frame, and you’ve got a museum-quality gift that will impress anyone.
FLP also recommends a book she just received and loves: The Working Mind and Drawing Hand by Oliver Jeffers. This book contains never-before-published illustrations and art from Jeffers’ own sketchbook.
Sha’an d’Anthes is Furry Little Peach–an illustrator, exhibiting artist and published author.
3. Fancy-ish luggage
Sometimes a utilitarian gift is the best kind of gift, and this bag comes highly recommended for a reason. It allows you to charge multiple devices and keeps your things safe with a built-in lock. Take it with you to your next creative conference, to meetings, wherever. What could be better for a digital nomad designer?
Teach a man to fish and yada yada. It’s empowering to learn something new. Superhi offers a plethora of beginner coding courses all aimed at teaching designers how to build their own beautiful websites from scratch.
Watch the sunrise from the comfort of your workspace, via GUR.
5. Sunrise rug
GUR rugs are all handmade using raw, recyclable materials and traditional methods. We’re particularly fond of this one by Chan Wai Hon, whose design really highlights the weaving technique and makes us feel calm.
We’re constantly inspired by our global community, and top designer Edwin Cappalla is, too. He recommends this set of 3 paperbacks by Counter-Print, which offer endless inspiration in the form of packaging, posters and signage from Eastern Europe, Scandinavia and Japan.
Don’t freak, moms. It’s just temporary. via Tattly
5 bucks gets you a set of 2 temporary tattoos for the needle-phobic print enthusiast in your life. Heck, splurge a little and grab the RGB set, while you’re at it.
Lilly Friedeberg is something of a wunderkind. Known for creating funky, colorful illustrations, she recently made her way into the agency world and founded her own studio for branding, packaging and photography. On her wishlist? An ultra-cool chair and lamp from Houtique.
Lilly is a designer and art director based in Düsseldorf, focussing on branding, illustration packaging and set design.
Did someone say fine blown glass and elegant brass ball chain? via Coming Soon New York.
10. Nordic glass ornaments
We know what you’re thinking: ornaments for the holidays. Really? But hear us out: these ultra-sleek hangables are designed by AYTM, and they’re nice enough to have on display all year round. Put them on a shelf. Hang them in your window! The possibilities are endless.
The stuff of nightmares, or best gift ever? You decide. via Areaware.
Will completing this puzzle take over your designer friends’ lives? Maybe. Will it be meditative? No promises. But this glossy and glorious gift sure looks pretty when it’s finished.
Anthony Burrill is a graphic designer perhaps best known for his “Work Hard and Be Nice to People” poster. But that’s so 2004. Spice up a pal’s space with a lesser-known (but just as cheeky) print.
The new iPad topped lots of top designers’ lists, including IsaDesignNet and Maneka. The Futur’s Chris Do also recommends it as the “ultimate creator’s tool”.
And there’s a lot to love. In addition to having the best display yet, Adobe will release Photoshop for the iPad in 2019. We can’t wait to see how it performs.
If you give a designer a new iPad, they’re going to ask for the Apple Pencil. With the newest model for the iPad Pro, you can pair and charge it wirelessly, increase your pressure to draw a thicker line—and even shade with a simple tilt of the wrist.
Chris is an Emmy award-winning director, designer, strategist and educator. He’s the Chief Strategist and CEO of Blind, executive producer of The Skool and founder of The Futur–and online education platform that teaches the business of design to creative thinkers.
You’ve heard of Steal Like an Artist, but Austin Kleon’s second book takes it to the next level. (It also comes highly recommended from creative director Greg Gunn.)
Greg is a creative entrepreneur, visual storyteller and an award-winning animation director. As Chief Creative Officer of The Futur, Greg oversees the marketing of educational products, guides content development and helps drive the creative direction for the brand.
Ben is a brand strategist, an award-winning designer, entrepreneur and loving father of (soon to be) two daughters. As the Chief Operating Officer of The Futur, Ben oversees the development, marketing and logistics of educational products.
This black book comes recommended with praise from Matthew Encina, who says, “it changed my life as a creative professional.” Let this book’s twelve proclamations inspire you.
Matthew Encina is the award-winning Chief Content Officer at The Futur. His clients include Fortune 500 brands, music artists, emerging tech companies and video games.
IK blue accessories will never go out of style. This pillow features a print by design duo Mogollon, a power couple whose work has been featured on the facade of a Seoul mall, a Katy Perry album and Vogue Japan. We’re fans.
Have you ever wanted to 3D paint in space? Um, yeah! You’ll need an HTC Vive, Oculus Rift or a Windows Mixed Reality headset to use it, but even then it’s such a steal–and it’s also #1 on artist Coco Morton’s list.
Spanish designer Alex Trochut is best known for his incredible typographic work, but check out his binary prints. Duality is the theme here–turn off the lights and the darkness reveals a hidden image. Each print is signed by the artist.
Like chalks from your childhood, these magnets by design studio Bower are just s’cute. Cut at various angles, they point in different directions when attached to a metal surface. Snag them in both natural and multi colorways.
This hardcover book features stories of powerful, mythical, heroic, talented and literary dogs who have changed the course of history. Plus, sweet illustrations by designer Molly Dyson.
Instant cameras are always a hit, via Outdoor Photo.
26. Leica Sofort camera
The recipient of this small but mighty camera will be the life of any party. And, it comes in two of the trendiest colors of the year: baby blue and orange.
Minji is a freelance designer from Seoul, Korea. She specializes in illustration and motion graphics and counts Samsung, Cadillac and Adobe among her client roster.
Liquitex Inks are extremely fluid, water resistant, permanent and so lightfast they’ll go down in history. You can water the ink down, stamp it, or use it seamlessly with any other Liquitex product.
Should you or shouldn’t you? Consult the chart. via Molly McLeod.
29. Side project flowchart
Find ordering prints a hassle? Hate unrolling them when they arrive? Then do we have the gift for you. This is a high-resolution digital download good for two 11×17 copies of this poster.
Jocelyn Tsaih is an artist and illustrator whose work has been everywhere these days–from WeWork’s halls to the pages of the New York Times–she’s even been commissioned by Facebook and Airbnb.
This year, she’s hoping for a Luna Display: a powerful little device that turns your iPad into a second monitor.
Not for the faint of heart! Design-pro Pixel & Bracket suggests this curved monitor from LG. He says, “I’m moving away from dual monitor setups and really like the ultra wide monitors instead. With one widescreen, creative apps can be scaled or placed right next to each other.”
Pixel & Bracket (aka Spencer) is a multimedia designer from Indianapolis, Indiana. He posts design tutorials to help educate and inspire others.
You can run from the typography police, but they’ll find you. via Hoefler&Co.
36. Typographic Ticket Book
When we first saw this gift pop up on Fast Company, we knew we had to include it. Each ticket lists 32 common design infractions, each assigned its own appropriate penalty. Typeset in Helvetica, of course, it’s perfect for the designer who loves rules.
Insights and inspiration for anyone who makes art. via Design Milk.
38. Things Are What You Make of Them
You must know by now that we have a huge crush on Adam J. Kurtz. He’s a Brooklyn-based designer, artist and author who offers advice and realness over 13 handwritten chapters. Bonus: perforated pages mean you can tear out the wisdom you love the most and display the pages wherever you please.
Anna Niestroj is an entrepreneur, designer, pattern-maker, trend researcher and the face of Studio Blinkblink–a former Berlin institution and what was once the coziest and most creative space in the Wedding neighborhood. Recently she packed up Blinkblink and relocated to Jüterbog to dream up her next venture in a former police headquarters.
On her holiday wishlist? Organic, tie-dye soaps infused with detoxifying ingredients that she discovered in Paris. And don’t they look so cool?
Leave one of these out for Santa. via Japan Centre.
43. Japanese sweets
As Anna says, “Anything from Japan is a good gift for a designer. Anything.” We think these sweet sesame pancake confections would make a great stocking stuffer.
Finally, Anna recommends a subscription to Stack. Every month you’ll receive a different independent magazine, serving up endless inspiration for graphic designers, illustrators and artists alike.
Anna is the founder of Studio Blinkblink, an interdisciplinary creative studio.
45. Gingerbread mouse pad
This festive mouse pad is so sweet, you’ll keep it on your desk long after the holidays end. It features a candy cane and gingerbread pattern designed by the Disney-loving creative business-owner behind Katnipp Illustration. Love!
All creatives dream of New York, right? via Letsgoto.nyc.
Featuring awesome illustrations from designer Lu Yu, this comprehensive guide by Tobias van Schneider is chock-full of practical tips for creatives wanting to relocate to the Big Apple–and even includes how to get a visa. It promises to save you time, money and nerves. Let us know if it works!
