Your Brain on Design: A Graphic Design Blog | Leslie Tane Design » Holiday Gift Guide 2007

Holiday Gift Guide 2007!

Leslie Tane Design — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 01:26:12 +0000

What every graphic design lover ~~wants~~ needs.

Hanukkah’s passed and Christmas is less than two weeks away, but if you’re stuck for a gift for the designer (or design appreciator) in your life, my first annual holiday gift guide is here to help. Sort it by type or price, or just look through it all.

You know you want it.

Pantone Goe System

Leslie Tane Design — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 01:21:29 +0000

The new Pantone Goe spot-color matching system has a lot going for it compared to the venerable Pantone Matching System: It nearly doubles the number of unique colors, adopts a logical naming scheme, and comes with innovative color-palette software. (See review at creativepro.com)

Pantone is the design world standard, and this beautiful (and expensive!) new Goe system is like design crack. Someone will think you’re better than chocolate for giving this as a gift. $499.95

Buy it!

Join the AIGA

Leslie Tane Design — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 01:19:32 +0000

AIGA, the professional association for design, is the place design professionals turn to first to exchange ideas and information, participate in critical analysis and research and advance education and ethical practice. AIGA is the oldest and largest membership association for professionals engaged in the discipline, practice and culture of designing. $75-$295

Support the profession that supports you (or the person you’re giving this gift to)!

Buy it!

Urban Typography Fine Art Letterpress Prints from Athenaeum

Leslie Tane Design — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 01:18:58 +0000

I wrote an entire blog entry about how lovely I think this artwork is. Gorgeous letterpress prints of cool found letter forms — where’s the bad? This C is the one I already have (hint, hint, Mom). $75-$150.

Buy it!

WordSpot Game from LLBean

Leslie Tane Design — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 01:18:24 +0000

An award-winning game with pieces modeled after the movable type used by letterpress printers for centuries. Solid wood box, designed to look like a book on a shelf, stores all game pieces, including 32 unique letter tiles, 64 WordSpot tokens and a velvet bag. For two players, ages 8 and up. $49.95.

There’s nothing like a game to introduce the kids to typography on the down low. Stealth attack!

Buy it!

Chip Kidd – Book One

Leslie Tane Design — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 01:17:55 +0000

I wrote a whole glowing review of this book. To sum up: buy it, give it as a gift, inspire someone, buy one for yourself, enjoy. $40.95

Buy it!

Helvetica: A Documentary Film

Leslie Tane Design — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 01:17:22 +0000

Helvetica is a feature-length independent film about typography, graphic design and global visual culture. $20

How geeky is it to get revved up by a film about typography? (The answer is: very) Regardless, every designer I know wants to see this movie.

Buy it!

Robert Sabuda’s The Christmas Alphabet

Leslie Tane Design — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 00:57:47 +0000

Robert Sabuda is an amazing pop-up artist. Years ago when I was working at Simon & Schuster he came in for a meeting with his editor, and it was like Elvis was in the building for all of us ~~nerds~~ designers. We were giggling and peeking over cubicles and sending messages to each other: “Did you see him? Did you see the book comp he brought in?” Embarrassing.

All of his books are incredible, but this one is incredible and seasonal. $15.61

Buy it!

Custom Belt Buckle

Leslie Tane Design — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 00:57:06 +0000

I love this buckle, which you can personalize with up to 7 letters (dsignr? xacto? cre8ive?). I also love to support a site with nav links to “Grillz” and “Pimp Cups”. $14.99

Buy it, or call 1.866.44.BLING (I’m not kidding)

Test Print Journals

Leslie Tane Design — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 00:56:28 +0000

Journal contains 18 pages and measures 4.25″ x 5.25″. Each is a one-of-a-kind chaotic collage featuring all sorts of images and colors used in the letterpresses at Hammerpress. $8 each.

Hopefully what you put in this will be as cool as the covers…

Buy this!