Wacom Tablet

Cost: starting at around $60

Contrary to popular belief, it’s not JUST for illustrators! They are great for designers too.

The one I recommend is the Wacom Intuos. They have a couple different sizes but honestly, all you need is the small. It comes with a wire to connect via usb (or you can get the bluetooth version if you prefer) and you can get one for around $60 on Amazon. You can even get one last minute from Staples if you’re cutting it close.

I love my tablet but will be the first to warn a new user that it takes some time to get used to it. I’ve been using one every day for about 6 years now and it has completely replaced both my mouse and my trackpad. I can be much more precise with work in all the Adobe programs and you can toss your overpriced ergonomic mouse 🙂

Monitor arms

Cost: you can find a good one for less than $100

This one only works if you have a monitor (or more than one) and a laptop. Designers aren’t the only ones who get a second monitor and never go back. It’s honestly become a necessity for me.

When you get your very first second monitor the worst thing is how much desk space it takes up. Especially if you have a laptop sitting next to it. The best thing I got for my home desk was a monitor arm setup with a laptop mount. With this setup, my computer is up off my desk, and my second monitor is at the perfect height.

Setups are pretty customizable, so do some browsing. You should be able to find one like this for less than $100. And again, if you order on Amazon, you can still get it pretty last minute.

Noise canceling headphones

Cost: starting at $70

These could work for anyone, but in the graphics design work world, there’s a trend of putting designers in an open workspace at long work tables. There’s a lot of things I hate about that, and as someone who does not like ambient noise while I’m working, being able to block it out is a must.

I don’t love over-the-ear headphones, and I don’t want different headphones for work, errands, and working out.

You want Shokz. These are the only headphones I use when I run, grocery shop…literally any time I want to be able to hear my surroundings while being able to listen to music these are it. And when I don’t, all I need to do is put ear plugs in. They a bone conduction open-ear headphones, which means they don’t have a piece that goes in your ear. They sit on the outside.

So if you’re on a plane listening to music, and there’s a couple screaming next to you, put in ear plugs and you can still hear your audio. They even have ones you can swim in!

Apple Pencil

Cost: around $100

This one is only relevant if your designer has an iPad. So maybe this is inspiration to become someone’s new favorite person and also look into an iPad?

I love my Apple Pencil because even if you’re not an illustrator, every designer needs a spot to do conceptual sketches. It’s really nice when said sketches can be digitized so you can email, airdrop, or in some other way share a file with teammates.

It’s also a really nice on-the-go tool if you’re traveling and want to do some thinking but don’t want to put out a laptop.

USB-C adapter

Cost: lots of options between $10-$50

This one is definitely not glamorous, but it’s also not expensive so it makes a great “not big deal” gift.

The reason I have this one on the list is because with the design of Macbooks, it’s really hard to connect to external devices. At my house I have a second monitor, a tablet, several printers, and a drawing tablet that all need to be hooked up to my laptop. There’s just no way to do that with the current Macbook.

Not to mention the fact that someone in the office is always looking for an adapter to put files on a USB or to bring something to the printer, or to download files from a camera.

There are a TON of options and designs out there, but I personally like the ones that give some space between the hub and my computer and have a lot of options. Like this one.

Printer

Cost: $200+

Don’t freak out, you don’t need to go crazy on this one!

This is really best for those designers who work from home or are freelance. If you work from home without access to an office printer, having a decent home printer is huge.

If you’re trying to figure out where to start, I would go with these requirements;

• Can print sizes 8.5×11″ up to 12×18″
• Prints color
• Also has a scanner
• Wireless connection

In my office I have a Canon TS9521C. I also have a Canon ix6820. The Canon TS9521C is perfect for everything I need – it prints the bigger paper sizes when I need to see bigger spreads, and it has great print quality. PLUS I was able to pick it up quickly at Best Buy for around $200 when my other printer had issues.

PRO TIP: NEVER buy ink from Staples or an office store. They rip you off! Get your ink cheap from a place like 4InkJets. You will thank me later 🙂

Blue light blocking glasses

Cost: $20+

So this one is kind of controversial because some designers say they negatively effect their interpretation of color on-screen, but I’m personally on the bandwagon.

I only use glasses when I’m on my computer, and it was a small add-on when I was browsing glasses to grab a pair that had blue light blocking built in.

Because I only wear mine when I’m working, I didn’t want to spend a lot. I got a pair that I really like on Zenni for around $20.

One thing to note: remember that if you have a prescription, obviously you’ll need to keep that in mind.

A massage or some facial massage tools

Cost: $100+

I have a couple ideas on this one but regardless, I don’t care who you are, a massage is never a bad gift.

If you can’t figure anything else out and you’re down to the wire, I’d go with a massage. And I don’t mean you personally do it (unless you’re actually good at it), book one and then maybe glam it up with dinner. I can say is I love a good massage, I love going to lunch after said massage, and I love going to bed early that evening. So clearly it’s a whole day thing for me!

If you can’t swing a massage, another suggestion is some facial oil and a gua sha tool. I feel like designers are always rubbing their faces (in exasperation? Frustration? Complete loss of patience?), and an alternative to a massage is a good at-home facial. Getting your lymphatic system going is always a good thing and you can grab something cheap off Amazon, or a great brand is Primally Pure. I suggest this tool, this facial oil, and this dry brush.

A stand up desk

Cost: $250+

This is another gift that is obviously best for designers who work at home, and it has become a non-negotiable for my personal setup. There are a lot of options out there, and you can really spend quite a lot on features, but if you’re looking for something that’s a simple setup and great quality, I recommend FlexiSpot. You can customize to your heart’s content, I personally have this one with a darker wood top and black legs and I love it. Would recommend to anyone!

A couple things to consider before jumping on this one; don’t be dumb and forget to measure your space first, and be aware that the desk is pretty heavy.

Some useful (and tasteful) desk gear

Cost: depends on your budget!

This last thing is actually a list of some little suggestions if you’re more of a gift basket or *gift explosion* kind of giver. I love some good functional trinkets on my desk – nothing pricey, nothing tacky, just cool things that give my space a homey feel. Bonus points if they’re things that are meaningful to the recipient – everyone loves something in their workspace that makes them smile when they get an annoying email.

Here are some ideas to get you started;

A small succulent plant in a cool vase.
Make it one that you only have to water once a week. I have a spiky little plant in a black skull and I love it 🙂 If you want something a little more decorative, check out some macramé plant holders that you can hang from the ceiling.

A screen cleaning cloth.
I use this ALL THE TIME. Especially great when you have coworkers who constantly touch your screen. There’s not thing that bothers me more than finger prints all over my screen! Double points if it also works for glasses.

A pencil holder.
Keep it simple, small, and not please don’t get a cheap mesh one. I have a small handmade ceramic vase that I made at a wheel throwing class locally and it’s lovely. Imperfect and lovely.

A phone holder.
I love this golden octopus, but there are a ton of options on Etsy and Amazon. Make sure it doesn’t take up a lot of space and bonus points if it doubles as a phone charging station!

A fidget toy.
I know a lot of desingers who also like to keep crystals on their desk for phone calls or Zoom meetings. I know I speak clearer if I have something to keep me from getting distracted.

A simple but cool timer.
Time tracking is a PAIN. No one likes doing it, and people constantly forget to track time. It’s only made worse by time tracking apps. This timer is cute and sleek and has a tactile quality that I appreciate.