Artistic, eccentric and sometimes even pompous, your friend the graphic designer has every little gadget that you may think he or she will need. They are possibly the most judging gift receivers and the hardest people to shop for. As they live sometimes from gig to gig or being taken advantage by a large firm they do not have the disposable income to buy the gifts they really want.
This is where you can come in. You can impress them with your knowledge of what they may like, or possibly even need to stay competitive and in touch with their field. Depending on your budget here are some really neat gifts:
iPad
Basic model just under 0, the iPad is your computer away from the computer. It allows you to look at photos, websites, news articles and magazines. It also allows light computing such as email and some applications via the Apple iTunes store.
iPod Touch
Just under the 0 mark, the iPod Touch is the smaller version of the iPad but fits in the pocket requires only Wi-Fi to connect to the internet and all the abilities of a smart phone (minus the phone call making).
Wacom Intuos4 Pen Tablet
In case the person you're shopping for is an Apple enthusiast and has the iPad and the iPhone, that I would recommend a drawing board such as the Wacom Intuos4, it comes in 3 different sizes -- small, medium and large -- and there is also an option for medium size wireless tablet. It is a great way for your artist to put down the mouse and pick up a pen, and this tablet runs from anywhere 0 for the largest and 0 for the smallest.
Twelve South BookArc Desktop Stand for Notebooks
If you know your graphic designer has way too many things on their table, and almost no room to lay down a pencil, then they may need this stand which allows their MacBook from over heating yet still look classy. This gift runs under .
Books, Back to the Basics
If you have a really low budget, and may now know your designer friend that well, or this is a person whom you hired but wish to give a gift, I would suggest some of these cool design books:
Form+Code in Design, Art, and Architecture (Design Briefs)
Obsessive Consumption: What Did You Buy Today?
OBD: Obsessive Branding Disorder: The Illusion of Business and the Business of Illusion
