Art Directors Club of NJ Blog

I Heart My Designer

Valentine’s Day is traditionally celebrated with flowers and chocolate, but if you have a designer in your life you may want to break from tradition. Try surprising them with one of these $100 or less gift ideas, that will keep you in their hearts all year round.

The Alphabet Business Card Case is a sleek and sophisticated cardholder that is destined to make any typophile smile. The silver-toned case holds 15 cards and can be personalized with a message on the back at no charge. $37.30 (http://tinyurl.com/ye3ndd6).

The Retro 51 pen company created a must have for every designer, the Sherpa. The Sherpa creates a unique opportunity to look stylish even when writing with a Sharpie! It encases all types of disposable pens and markers and comes in 16 distinct designs each with their own unique name like, “Ole Glory”, “Loose Lips” and “Hearts a Flutter.” $29.95 (www.retro51.com/fwi_sherpa.html)

Letter Links are unique and stylish cufflinks assembled from authentic vintage typewriter keys. The handmade silver links vary in font and color styles because the keys come from various typewriters. $90.00 pair (http://tinyurl.com/yfqozto)

Create a gift basket with items designers love, such as a subscription to a design magazine like Print $40.00 (www.printmag.com), Communication Arts $53.00 (www.commarts) or How magazine $29.96 (www.howdesign.com). Also, a book that focuses on the designer’s expertise is always a welcome gift (www.crescenthillbooks.com), and add a gift card or coffee from Starbucks (www.starbucks.com) with a cool ceramic mug, $10.27 (http://tinyurl.com/yam3k3e) and your designer will enjoy hours of inspiration thanks to you! You can also include in your basket the USB “Real Thumb Drive” $20.00 (http://tinyurl.com/6xjzmw). This 4 GB storage is a humorous way for your designer to carry information back and forth.

Valentine’s Day is next Sunday, so don’t forget ordering online may take several days. Enjoy the gifts and your loved ones - Happy Valentine’s Day!

Do you have any suggestions for a Valentine’s Day gift for designers? Email me at ana@anapaularodrigues.com.

Ana Rodrigues is an Art Director at Nielsen Business Media and an ADCNJ Board Member.
© Copyright Ana Paula Rodrigues 2010, All rights reserved.