Christmas Gifts for Graphic Designers 2023

Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way…

Ah, yes, the joyous season of Christmas is approaching in the distant future. Of course, the stores are enthusiastically thrusting Christmas paraphernalia at us earlier than ever. Because nothing says “holiday cheer” like tinsel and gingerbread in October.

Now, the burning question: what on Earth do you gift a graphic designer for Christmas? I mean, sure, you could go for the classic combo of musical socks and an online shopping voucher destined to gather virtual dust. But hey, let’s indulge in the fantasy that we’re going to be more creative than that, shall we?

I’ll also break it down into budgets, not everyone is going to be like loads of money, especially with the cost of living and other daily expenses going up and up.

Gifts under £30.00, otherwise known as budget-friendly picks:

Desktop Mouse Mats (Bargain – £5)

The days of having the little mouse mat beside your keyboard are numbered. It’s time to go big or go home with these mouse mats that are surprisingly spacious (because size matters, right?). The brilliance of these mats as a gift lies in their versatility. Not only do they serve as a reliable mouse mat, but they also pull double duty as a desk tidy. And wait for it, folks, many of them are even waterproof. So, when the lucky recipient inevitably spills their beverage while deep in creative contemplation, no need to panic. These mats got it covered – literally. A spill-proof surface to the rescue, ensuring that accidental drink mishaps are no match for the resilience of this multitasking wonder. All this, and it won’t break the bank. Now, that’s what I call a gift that’s big on convenience and small on price. Cheers to that!

Temu have a full range of affordable mouse-mats under a fiver.

Sketchbook and Pens Combo (under £30)

Opting for a timeless classic, a high-quality sketchbook coupled with a set of fine pens serves as an invaluable tool for designers to embark on their creative journey on paper before venturing into the digital realm. This traditional yet enduring combination empowers designers to freely sketch, brainstorm, and refine their ideas, fostering a tactile connection with their artistic process.

Fortunately, Amazon stands as a reliable haven for those seeking the perfect sketchbook and pens to cater to their unique preferences. They have a diverse range of options, from sleek and compact sketchbooks to a variety of fine pens. Amazon ensures that designers can find the ideal tools to unleash their creativity. So, whether it’s the crisp blank pages of a sketchbook or the precision of a fine pen, Amazon has designers covered in their quest to bring imaginative concepts to life.

Inspirational Posters or Prints (Under £35)

Elevate their workspace with prints that transcend the mundane, offering a daily dose of motivation and design-inspired brilliance. Now, let’s be crystal clear – we’re not advocating for a revival of those classic Athena posters from the 80s and 90s, complete with majestic whales and liberating italic captions. No, sir. In the age of Drool and Displate, independent artists have found a platform to showcase and sell their work in the form of posters, and it’s a game-changer.

Sure, there might be a hint of artistic rebellion with some creators subtly putting their spin on well-known brands like Disney, Star Wars, or Marvel – a not-so-veiled nod to the grey area of copyright. But hey, who said a little artistic rebellion wasn’t a good thing? In fact, some of these indie artworks surpass the official versions in terms of creativity. They make for a workspace that’s not just motivating but also a testament to the rebellious spirit of independent artistry. Because let’s face it, a touch of creative subversion never hurt anyone’s inspiration game.

Now, that neatly wraps up the £30.00 and under budget bracket. But, if you find yourself in the mood to splash some extra cash and let the money river flow, let’s delve into the world of gifts under £100.00. Because sometimes, you just have to treat your favourite graphic designer (or yourself) to something a bit more lavish. After all, who said good taste had to come with a budget cap? Let the indulgence begin!

Logitech Crayon Digital Pen (£70 or under)

First things first – we’re not diving into the nostalgic realm of Crayola crayons from our childhood (although, who can forget the temptation to take a little chomp on them?). No, we’re stepping into the sleek and modern world of the Apple iPad digital pens, brought to you by none other than one of our favourite brands here at Form, Logitech. This nifty little gift eliminates the clunkiness of relying solely on fingers or thumbs to navigate your iPad. It’s a precision tool, allowing you to create pixel-perfect masterpieces on a range of art and design apps, annotate PDFs with finesse, and glide effortlessly through your favourite apps.

When it comes to Logitech, one thing’s for certain – you’re investing in a quality product. This digital pen isn’t just a stylus – it’s a ticket to a more seamless and sophisticated iPad experience. It ensures that your creative endeavours are as precise as they are enjoyable. Because in the world of Logitech, excellence is not just a feature; it’s a standard.

Available at Curry’s and other good online stores.

Wacom ONE S Bundle tablet (£100.72)

Alright, let’s address the elephant in the room. Yes, this gift may stretch the budget by a whopping 72 pence, but who’s counting? Especially when faced with the perplexing question of why Wacom decided on the peculiar figure of £100.72. I mean, we get the psychology behind pricing something at £99.99, but this random precision leaves us scratching our heads.

Putting pricing oddities aside, when it comes to designer tablets, Wacom is the undisputed heavyweight champion. Sure, there are contenders like Kamvas offering their mid-to-high-end tablets, but Wacom has consistently paved the way. They’ve been delivering affordable tablets for budding artists and designers to dip their toes into the digital art world.

Switching to a tablet from the traditional mouse is like upgrading from a tricycle to a Ferrari. The level of control and the pressure-sensitive magic that the stylus wields can transform any designer’s game. Now, there are two camps in the design world – the tablet enthusiasts and the mouse devotees. I, for one, was firmly in the mouse camp. Tablets seemed alien, like a piece of technology from the distant future. But, surprise-surprise, I had a slice of humble pie, converted to what I once dubbed the ‘Dark Side,’ and never looked back.

So, if you’re in the market for a gift that will genuinely elevate a designer’s skills, you can’t go wrong with a tablet. Admittedly, the ONE series may not be a full-size tablet. However, it’s the perfect gateway drug into the world of tablets, offering a taste of what’s possible. Embrace the tablet, and may the creative force be with you! Available at Wacom.

City Breaks (£59.99 – £99.99)

Ah, welcome to the glamorous world of graphic design, where dreams go to die, and deadlines are tighter than your favourite skinny jeans after Christmas dinner. Forget the Ritz, we’re talking Travelodge vibes, Premier Inn chic, or the pinnacle of budget luxury – The Holiday Inn. Because, let’s face it, nothing says “creative genius” like a hotel with free Wi-Fi and a continental breakfast.

So, you thought being a graphic designer would be all about living in your artistic realm, casually sipping on inspiration, and leisurely crafting masterpieces? Well, think again, my friend. The reality is more like staring at a screen for hours, wondering if your client understands the concept of constructive feedback, and questioning if your job is on the verge of being outsourced to a AI Bot with a better sense of colour theory.

But fear not, weary designer, for I present to you the ultimate solution to your creative existential crisis: a city-break trip in the UK! Because nothing says “I need a break from pixel perfection” like exploring the wonders of Liverpool, Cambridge, Oxford, or even the exotic Kent Coast. And let’s not forget the thrill of contemplating life’s meaning in Edinburgh, soaking in the tranquillity of the Lake District, or trying not to slip in the Roman baths of Bath.

It’s time to treat yourself, or that special someone you dragged into the vortex of font choices and colour palettes. Unwind, destress, and recharge those creative juices because, let’s face it, the only thing scarier than Comic Sans is the thought of going back to the daily grind without a well-deserved break.

So, pack your bags, grab your Wacom tablet (because, priorities), and escape the design dungeon. Your masterpiece can wait; it’s time to discover the hidden gems that lie just a few hours’ drive away. Because after all, a stressed designer is just one poorly tracked letter away from a full-blown design meltdown. Cheers to graphic design and the unsung heroes who dare to dream, one pixel at a time.

Alright, brace yourselves for the high-flying, budget-busting adventure into the world of “deep pockets” gifts for graphic designers! Dust off that credit card, or, if you’re feeling bold, schedule your annual pilgrimage to rich old Gramps or Grandma’s mansion. It’s time to drop some subtle hints. After all, why settle for presents when you can aim for the stars! Let’s keep this in the realms of reality here and still set a budget, all be it we’re going for £5,000 and under.

Apple Mac Pro / High End PC Rig.  (£5,000-ish)

So, here I am, dragged kicking and screaming into the 21st century. My ancient iMac from the prehistoric era of 2012 decided it had had enough of Adobe’s shenanigans. A momentous decision loomed before me: embrace the raw power of a PC that could render graphics faster than a ninja, or stick with the trusty Mac, my faithful companion for eons. You know, the one that’s as user-friendly as a golden retriever and doesn’t throw a fit every time I try to make it do something.

And let’s not forget, if you’re on a quest to gift a graphic designer, you must decide what is better suited to their type of work they design. If their endeavours involve graphics that demand a Herculean processing effort, the PC is the hero of choice. Even the shiny M2 chip Macs doing their best Mac Pro impersonation can’t hold a candle to a beefed-up PC armed with an Nvidia graphics card. On the flip side, if your designer is all about branding and layout, then Mac it is. Why? Because Macs are like the easy-going buddies who never give you a hard time about updates, drivers, or the existential dread induced by ransomware.

If you’re looking for a Mac, there really is only one place to go—at the Apple store. For a wide choice of graphic designer PC rigs, Scan is a good starting point for a custom-built PC.

Now, let’s talk monitors. Both the Mac Pro and the PC demand a fancy 4K display, unlike the iMac, which conveniently comes with one. And nicely takes us to the next gift idea.

4K / 8K Monitors £2,000 and under

So, you’ve got this friend with a PC that can crunch more polygons than they would ever need, but their monitor is basically a relic from the technological Stone Age. Time to be their knight in shining pixels and gift them a monitor upgrade!

I’ve been there, done that, and got the pixelated T-shirt. I once tried to catapult my mum into the 21st century by upgrading her vintage 1920×1080 HD TV to a mind-blowing 4K Smart TV with more bells and whistles than a marching band. I handed it over, had a TV engineer work their techno-wizardry on it, only to find out that my mom preferred the nostalgic fuzziness of HD or even lower resolutions. “It looked too real,” she said. Yep, it was a “hmmm” moment, and I swiftly moved on.

But let’s focus on the task at hand—choosing the perfect monitor gift. First off, make sure it comes with colour calibration straight out of the box. You don’t want to spend Christmas Day squinting at grey scale checks, holding up a colour card to the screen like you’re in some high-tech séance.

Now, resolution is a no-brainer. In this day and age, graphic designers should settle for nothing less than 4K. Sure, 8K monitors are lurking around the corner, but for now, let’s stick with what’s considered high-res. Then there’s the screen refresh rate—yeah, it might sound like gibberish to your average Joe, but if you’re a PC nerdy gamer, it’s the secret sauce to making everything look smoother than a buttered penguin sliding down an icy hill.

And let’s not forget about the size and width of your gift. We’re not talking about your run-of-the-mill 32-inch screens. The Samsung Odyssey range goes full Godzilla with a whopping 55 inches of screen real estate. Watching something on that is like attending a tennis match where you can’t decide which side to keep an eye on. And don’t even get me started on the desk space you need for that behemoth – Happy gifting!

Check out Samsung for a range of top end monitors.

Adobe Yearly Subscription (£700 a year upwards)

Imagine the joy of receiving an email gift on Christmas morning, eagerly unwrapping it, only to find a key code instead of a tangible present. It’s like the digital equivalent of receiving socks – the surprise is undeniable, but so is the initial confusion!

I believe this could make for a thoughtful Christmas gift for a designer, even if their appreciation might only blossom as they delve into the diverse tools it offers.

In my honest opinion, any designer worth their salt shouldn’t be without the Adobe suite. It’s akin to a carpenter without a saw, a plumber without a wrench, or a taxi driver without a car. You get the analogy.

This comprehensive toolkit spans everything from crafting brochures to developing websites, delving into 3D rendering and animation. It caters to every need a designer might have. As an added bonus, it now includes a font and image library. This might save you from the perpetual cycle of purchasing fonts, images, or video clips. Say goodbye to those expenses!

Check out Adobe for the latest deals here.

I think this wraps up some initial ideas for gifts for a graphic designer. Any more ideas that come to mind I’ll edit and add to the list on the run up to Christmas.

Wishing you happy and stress-free shopping as you navigate the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. May your Christmas be filled with joy, warmth, and the perfect gifts for everyone on your list. Merry Christmas!