These are a few of our favorite things…
I’m SURE you’ve wondered what a designer’s favorite things might be. I mean, hasn’t everyone? No? Well, let’s pretend that you’re incredibly curious for a few minutes. It’s gift-giving season and maybe some of our tried and true favorites will spark some new, creative ideas of your own! Your friends and family would love to be treated like a fancy-schmancy designer, wouldn’t they? (spoiler: yes, they would).
Our team has put together a list of a few of our favorite things below. You won’t find raindrops on roses or whiskers on kittens BUT brown paper packages might make an appearance, especially when there is a card with fancy hand-written calligraphy tied on with beautiful ribbon.
Ember Mug
Do you enjoy a hot drink while creating excellent marketing at your desk? If you are like our team member, Nicole, you might be reheating and refreshing your hot drink several times throughout the day (or more than several). With this mug, you can set your optimal temperature and it will stay hot. Technology at it’s finest! Stop choking down that luke-warm coffee AND think of all the time you’ll save by not running back and forth to the microwave. Find it here.
Blue Light Glasses
Staring at your screen all day? More and more people are realizing the effects that blue light can have on their eyes. Blue light is everywhere, but when we use screens we are getting a more concentrated, higher dose which can contribute to eye strain, sleep disruption, and maybe even long term eye issues. A simple pair of blue light blocking glasses could make a difference if you are noticing any sensitivity. You can find them in many places and styles. We like these.
Well-Designed Notebooks
There’s nothing quite like a nicely designed notebook… although we might be a little biased. People can always find a use for spare paper and you get bonus points if it’s lovely to look at and doesn’t need to be hidden away. Decorative and functional – two things that make our little designer hearts fill with joy. We love the classic look of Moleskin but the possibilities are endless!
S’well Water Bottle
We’ve covered hot drinks, but what about cold ones? These bottles come in an array of different designs (obviously, did you forget who’s talking here?). The absolute best thing about them is that they do not cause any condensation – you can set them on your desk or in your bag without worrying about the moisture causing problems. They come in lots of different sizes (you can even fit a full bottle of wine in the largest one, not that we have tried) that you can browse here.
Colorful Pens
It doesn’t matter if you are writing a grocery list or sketching logo concepts, having a set of great pens is a must. We love this set for its ultra-fine point, but there are tons of options out there! Find a set you love and add some extra color to your everyday activities. Checking off your to-do list in your favorite color is way more fun.
Portable Charger
As business people, we use our phones for SO MUCH throughout the day, the least of which is actual phone calls. Having a portable charger can sometimes be a lifesaver when you’re on the go. We love this one because of its fun colors and super small size making it easy to throw in a purse or laptop bag.
Diffuser
Why sit around and work in stale office air? Pop on a diffuser with your favorite calming, energizing, or holiday scented oil. With so many options out there, you’re sure to find one you like. Both this and this are favorites for their neutral look and the mode options they offer. We love the intermittent mode that runs for one minute on/one minute off found on the second option. It keeps the scent fresh for 10 hours, although we hope you aren’t in the office for that long…
Books
Whether they are just beautiful to look at, titles by a favorite author, or travel books for your latest destination, a great stack of books is a fantastic addition to any office (or any room, really). Not sure what to pick? There are some great subscription services like this one available that will send books based on reader tastes. What’s more fun that getting a book in the mail each month?
Interesting Decor
Of course, as designers, we love beautiful things. From a practical standpoint, we would argue that your environment has an effect on your productivity. It makes good sense for your office or workspace to be a place that you enjoy being in, so add some personality! Find little touches that speak to you and put together a creative and comfortable space that you will look forward to occupying. One of our recent favorites is this hexagon shelf that looks great on the wall but doesn’t add a heavy feel to the room.
Wine
You can basically never go wrong by gifting wine – it’s a universal fact. After you toil away all day in the office, a lovely glass of wine is a great way to congratulate yourself on a job well done. On a tough day, you might even crack that bottle after lunch – who are we to judge? Here’s one of our favorites to enjoy during internal business meetings. I mean with dinner.
Any Suggestions?
We could probably go on and on about products we love, but what about you? Let us know what some of your favorites are. We’d love to add some new gems to our list.
And if branding, graphic design, or digital marketing are on your Christmas list this year, we can certainly help fill your stocking. Give us a call to chat, or give us wine recommendations. Either way, we’re game!
