Whether you have a valentine or not, it’s never too soon to start planning for that next special occasion when you’ll need to pick out the perfect gift. If you have a friend who has a passion for art and design, what exactly do you get him or her? Today, we’ve picked out ten items that are almost guaranteed to be a sure fire hit. From incredible coffee table books to the newest tech toy, these are gifts you’ll love so much, you might even end up buying one for yourself!
1. Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty
Published to coincide with the exhibition at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty is a must-have coffee table book that goes well beyond fashion. It examines the full breadth of the designer’s career, showing us how McQueen became one of the most influential and imaginative designers of our generation. Inside the 240-page book, you’ll find an interview with Sarah Burton, creative director of the house of Alexander McQueen, quotes from the late designer himself and provocative photography by world-renowned photographer Sølve Sundsbø. If all that’s not convincing enough, in their recent gift guide, The Wall Street Journal named it one of the Best Art Books.
2. Lytro Camera
This small and beautifully designed camera is revolutionary because, unlike conventional cameras, the Lytro captures an entire light field. What does that mean exactly? You can focus and re-focus on the picture after you’ve taken it. Though the technology isn’t new, and the very first light fields were captured at Stanford University over 15 years ago, it is the first time this type of camera is available to the mass public. Look to the Lytro if your friend is interested in taking more than just a pretty picture.
3. Wacom Inkling Digital Sketch Pen
The Wacom Inkling Digital Sketch Pen was designed for artists and practically anyone else who’s into creative brainstorming. The ballpoint pen uses Wacom pressure-sensing technology to detect how hard the pen is being pressed onto the paper, which will show in the digital version of the drawing. You can use any sheet of paper to draw on, and then, once the digital drawing is in the computer, you can further refine your sketch. Coolest part? You can export your work directly into Adobe Photoshop or Adobe Illustrator as vectors.
4. Aurora Display Case
The Aurora Display Case shows off the beauty of colored pencils right on your wall. The clear, acrylic cases organize and hold pencils while saving space and creating a rainbow effect. Stack five cases, one of top of another, and you’ll be able to hold 500 pencils in a wide range of colors. This gift is perfect for the aspiring artists or for those who have bare white walls!
5. The Holstee Manifesto
You don’t have to be an artist to love all the words on the Holstee Manifesto. A poster created by two brothers back in May 2009, it’s full of wise advice that quite possibly anyone could appreciate. Viewed over 50 million times, the Manifesto is a typographic print printed on 100% recycled paper that has inspiring sentences like “Travel Often,” “Start Doing Things You Love,” and “When You Eat, Appreciate Every Last Bite.” If you’d like to make a custom one as a gift, you can even ask graphic designer Aileen Bennett to create one for you.
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