- Dec 23, 2019
- 3 min read
Everyone loves getting gifts. It’s buying them and gifting them to someone else that can make your head spin, especially if you’re a creative person who lets your ‘creative feels’ get the best of you (who, us?). This fact is well acknowledged in the design world as well. After all, it was through Stanford d.school’s The Gift Giving Project that a whole new generation of students got to practice design thinking by trying to redesign the gift giving experience. The idea the empathy needed to design something meaningful and useful is demonstrated through the complex experience of gift giving, says much about this experience. But we’re not here to rain on your holiday cheer parade before it has begun. We’re here to offer a variety of options that would satisfy any designer as a gift giver or receiver, freeing up your time to enjoy the holidays.
Playground’s editorial team would gladly attest to the fact that the Stack subscription we got ourselves last holiday season is literally the gift that keeps on giving. Every month, as a matter of fact. If you’re picky, you can curate your own magazine bundle to perfection, but in the spirit of making your life easier, go for a surprise subscription service and become the best gifter on earth.
The support of independent designers and creatives can be considered a gift in itself. In Everpress’s case this gift comes with a T-shirt and a “genuine alternative to the tyranny and wastefulness of conventional retail,” as the company puts it.
London-based illustrator Alec Doherty would probably love to try and change the color of your mood ring. But in his current version of the classic 90’s memorabilia, the various moods are conceptualized through a series of silver or gold faces.
If pinpointing the taste of your gift receiver is too much of a challenge, instead of an item of jewelry, go for a case - or even better - a travel case. So one can always travel with style.
Kim Mullis’s Wilderness Bodies brings you this colorful and happy Shape Watch. And though we check the time on our phones more often than on an actual watch, we appreciate a good accessory when we see it.
When two brilliant brands collaborate, it’s hard not to get excited. Poketo and Thousand’s beautiful brainchild is a bike helmet that not only looks great but is also sure to keep you safe.
The phrase ‘There’s only one like it in the entire world’ is not that common when it comes to consumer goods, especially in times of mass production. Give a gift that’s like no other with a one of a kind gorgeous vase by the Marrakesh-based brand LRNCE.
The best motivation to create comes from the pursuit of the perfect creation. Aishwarya Iyer, founder of the olive oil brand Brightland, was looking for the perfect flavor of olive oil in her cooking. She also puts extra care into the packaging which makes it a true gift for designers who also love cooking.
Let’s stay on the topic of oil for the moment, this time with one that promises to be the only skincare product you’ll ever need. Everyday Oil is both self care and environmental care packed into one elegant little bottle.
Great Jones offers clever solutions for the at-home cook with a beautiful website that is half the fun of this tantalizing shopping experience. Take advantage of a well-designed guide to purchasing the right pot or pan, and enjoy the stunning variety of colors to choose from.
Olend bags are made by hand to order, employing a simple approach and superb style. The Barcelona-based brand is inspired by “the spirit of the mountaineers from the 40’s and 50’s” and offers unique quality and craftsmanship.
