*** From the Archives ***
This article is from December 5, 2014, and is no longer current.
Holiday Gift Guide 2014: Part 2
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What’s that? You didn’t get enough with Part 1 of the CreativePro.com Gift Guide and you want more? Well, I’d hate to disappoint anyone, especially around the holidays. Here goes Part 2:
Nuvango laptop skins – $30
Great protection for your laptop, smartphone, MP3 player with style. Formerly Gelaskins, Nuvango has a ton of designs to choose from or you can supply your own custom artwork.
Sensu Brush – $40
This stylus and brush combo provides life-like brush strokes in tablet painting apps. The Sensu is also available as a single brush (no stylus).
Panasonic eneloop Batteries – Prices vary by combo set
Formerly made by Sanyo, the Panasonic eneloop batteries are the best rechargeable batteries I have ever used. They charge quickly and hold their charge for what seems like forever, even through hours of Xbox gaming or traveling with my Bose headphones blissfully blocking out the world around me.
ZAGG Folio for iPad – $70
This case with integrated keyboard keeps the tablet safe and creates a handy little portable workstation. The Folio features a backlit keyboard—with changeable lighting colors—and multiple tablet viewing angles.
Say Cheese Handwarmers and Film Is Better Scarf – $24 (handwarmers) $39 (scarf)
Stay warm and add a little humor while photographing in the cold with this cozy set. Handwarmers make it easy to operate equipment and the scarf makes a statement.
Pantone Anything and Everything – Prices vary
Sure, we designers should be concerned with updating our Pantone color books, but wouldn’t it be more fun to have the Pantone tea pot, USB drive, or travel mug?
Galaxy Gauge Art Director’s Reference Set – $48
This kit contains so many useful tools for the art director or designer on your list. In addition to the pocket guides on colors, screens, fonts, and more, the kit includes the Galaxy Gauge 18 tool with fractions, measurements, screen frequencies, angles, round corners and more.
The Shoppe’s Humorous Posters for Photographers – $10
A little bit of humor for the photographers in our lives. Sadly, every photographer has heard too many of these quotes in their career. These are high-res JPEG files to print as you wish.
LIFX Programmable Lightbulbs – $99
The bulbs are pricey, but are supposed to last up to 26 years. No separate base is needed, each LED bulb is programmable with the smartphone app. Change colors, set moods, integrate into your security system, and program the timing for these smart bulbs.
Periodic Table of Typefaces Decal – $35
A vinyl wall decal to show your love of type in an ever geekier way: as a periodic table! The width of the display measures about 45 inches and includes a separate header display.
Incase Origami Keyboard Case – $30
This case for Apple’s Bluetooth keyboard folds around to become an integrated stand for an iPad. I constantly punish mine by throwing it in my bike panniers and backpack and it still looks great!
Freehands Gloves – $22
These fleece gloves flip open—and stay open thanks to the tiny magnets—for easy access to camera equipment and using touch devices. The manufacturer also carries gloves with capacitive tips for use with touch devices.
Subscription to Services, Like Dropbox, Pandora, Squarespace, Crash Plan, fotolia, etc. – Prices and subscription plans vary
Subscriptions are a way of life in this Age of the Cloud. An annual subscription to your favorite designer’s backup, stock art, or file-sharing service is something they can use all year.
Get It Here, Here, Here, Here, and Here
Tinybook of Instagram Photos – $10 (set of 3)
Make tiny little memento books from your Instagram—and even non-Instagram—photos. The tiny tomes (tomettes?) have magnets (magnettes?) to stick them together or to your already-crowded-with-ironic-magnets refrigerator.
PenZen – $13
A clever pencil holder and organizer. The rubber fingers keep each pencil or tool separated and magnets allow you to stick metal objects to the outside.
Camera Lens Ring Bracelets – $15-25
These camera lens ring silicone bracelets let you wear your love of photography on your sleeve. Or at least your wrist.
Typographic Archive Boxes – $38 (set of 3)
In my day, we just called these “Bankers Boxes” and they only came in white and we were happy! Now you can store all of your archival items with flair and not feel bad when you never get around to putting them in a closet.
Comic Sans Hoodie – $50
Admit it. You’ve done it, too.
The Designer Says – $15
A compilation of phrases and quotes from contemporary and historical designers. Great for inspiration when you’re stuck on a project or regretting quitting law school to become a designer.
Sennheiser Wireless Headphones – $200 (list)
I need music playing while working, most of the time. Whether you’re blasting Metallica or Mozart, these wireless headphones give you the freedom you need to get your work done.
Western Digital 4TB USB3.0 Hard Drive – $190 (list)
This 4TB external hard drive was named the Best Hard Drive by The Wirecutter. Even though we have cloud backup choices galore, having a hard drive—or three—is never a bad idea.
Bobine Flexible Tripod – $20-$35
This flexible lightweight stand for smartphones also acts as a USB charger. Stylish and functional. Available for Android phones and iPhones.
How to Use Type – $30
This book takes a practical approach to actually using type, whether for print or screen. I am adding How to Use Type to my list of books I need to read in “2015: The Year Erica Falls in Love with Typography.”
I hope these gift ideas make your holiday shopping a little easier. And now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to go email this list to all my friends and family. You know, to make their shopping for me easier. I’m helpful that way. Happy Holidays!
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