My Design Geek Gift Guide 2023

Happy January / post-holiday season, friends! Here in the Fisher home, there were no silent nights and all was far from calm, but very bright indeed as my husband Nate and I were getting to know our son Grayson, a.k.a. The Cutest Baby Ever. 

I’m still officially on my maternity leave, but I always love creating my Design Geek Gift Guide. So while I’ve had time to rest on the sofa – usually under my little bundle of joy – I did a little scrolling on my phone to see what I wanted Santa to bring me this year. Top of the list: A full night of sleep. And sure, it’s past December 25 (Spoiler alert: The sleep thing didn’t happen), but the wise men didn’t show up with their herbs and gold until January 6th, not to mention the most bizarre suitor ever with his birds and dancing people for all 12 days of Christmas – I have so many questions. Point is, you have time. Also, a New Year’s gift is totally a thing. Or a “Hey, it’s Tuesday and I think you’re groovy” gift. 

Art Dice

Finding inspiration can be tough sometimes. You know those days when you just feel blah? Or other days, you have too many ideas and just can’t settle. These adorable dice are perfect for both problems. You just toss the gorgeously colored cubes and they give you any guidelines you want, from medium to style to color, even subject. So neat!

Pens and Paper

I know, it doesn’t seem like the most unusual gift, and it’s not, but it’s one that will always be appreciated. Any artist or creative needs to have the ability to sketch out an idea or make a note whenever a moment of inspiration strikes, so small sketchbooks that can easily fit in a purse or pocket are always great to have. The only catch is a lot of designers will have their go-to favorites, so try to either find out on your own, or ask their spouses/life partners/roommates/gifted emotional support monkeys to sneak a peek at home. My personal faves for pens:

Pentel Pocket Brush pen in black. I love how inky and messy the lines are.

Pilot Bravo liquid ink pen for drawing in a bit cleaner style but still with imperfect character.

Le Pen brand is lovely for fine tip drawing in lots of beautiful colors.

Tombow brush pens are the best for drawing in colors that are saturated and last.

Color sensor

A color sensor is insanely cool. Basically, it’s a little doodad that connects with an app (don’t they all?). You point it at any object, and it can tell you the closest match for paint colors, digital color values, and more. I would not object at all if Santa wanted to leave a Nix Mini 3 Color Sensor in my stocking this year. 

Think tee 

There are plenty of t-shirts for creatives, but a lot of them are kind of overdone. I like the simple lines and design of this tee-shirt, which would be great for any creative, not just designers. It’s definitely one of those “if you don’t get it right away, you don’t deserve to have it” jokes. It also looks super soft, which is key. I chose this career so I wouldn’t have to wear restrictive office clothes (not really, of course, but that’s definitely a bonus).

Client complaint stickers

OMG, if you haven’t heard “I don’t like it but I don’t know why,” you’re not officially a designer. That one is practically a badge of honor. Put one of these adorable stickers on your laptop and earn IKYK smiles from fellow designers and creatives out in the world. And make sure it’s placed where any clients you meet with in (gasp!) person can’t help but spot it. 

Baby board books

For your favorite designer mamas! I’m told once Grayson expresses his literary preferences, I will be reading his favorite books approximately 17 thousand times, so I’d like him to have ones that are fun for both of us to look at. So far, my favorite is “What Does Baby See?” because it helps me picture how my baby sees the world, but we’re only one month in. Once he can see color better, the Pantone baby books will be a must-have. And of course, “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” was one of my top favorites growing up. I really enjoy the organic, playful and handmade qualities of Eric Carle’s illustration style. So you tell me, what are some of your must-have baby books that spark your design heart?