15 great gifts for graphic designers

Finding the perfect gift can be challenging no matter who you're shopping for, and it can be even harder to come up with a shopping list for the creative people in your life. What kinds of gifts can you give to your graphic designer friend or family member?

Before you default to a monogrammed pencil holder or an etch-a-sketch keychain, you might want to check out our gift guide below. We'll help you find the best gifts for graphic designers. Feel free to use this list when you're shopping this holiday season.

15 gift ideas for your graphic designer friend or loved one

Graphic designers tend to see the world a bit differently. After all, it's part of their trade! So when you're shopping for graphic designer gifts for the creative person in your life, you'll want to find a thoughtful gift that reflects their personality and their specific gift set.

Here are 15 of the best gifts for graphic designers.

1. Noise-canceling headphones

Graphic designers can struggle to reach their creative potential when in a noisy work environment. A pair of noise-canceling headphones or earbuds can let your graphic designer friends enjoy their favorite music or podcast without the distraction of loud roommates or their child's favorite cartoon.

For sheer quality, you can't beat the headphones offered by Bose, whose brand is synonymous with superior sound quality and comfort. These lightweight headphones are incredibly comfortable and pair easily with Bluetooth devices.

For a more affordable solution, consider the earbuds from AIHOOR. These wireless earbuds offer noise-cancellation technology and Bluetooth connectivity. They offer up to 30 hours of playtime on a single charge and come with a charging base.

The earbuds are water-resistant, protecting them if users are ever caught out in the rain. Plus, they have a built-in microphone (so your friend can call you later to thank you for giving them the perfect gift!).

2. Digital Graphic Drawing Tablet

Wacom's Pro Pen 2 drawing tablet is a precision graphics tablet that allows users to create and edit images. The surface on the Pro Pen 2 provides 8,192 levels of pressure sensitivity and offers virtually lag-free tracking so graphic artists can attain a whole new level of control.

The tablet is compatible with both Windows and Mac and has a ton of programmable express keys and other shortcuts designed to optimize workflow. Users can interface with the device through the multi-touch surface, radial menu, and pen side-switches.

The tablet itself runs on an internal battery, though it can also be charged when connected to your computer. The pen is battery-free and pairs directly with the tablet. This makes it a unique gift for graphic designers. It can also be a lot of fun to play with!

3. Browser Sketch Pad

Believe it or not, some web designers start their work using pen and paper. UI Stencils makes a browser sketch pad to help you do just that.

Each page of this 50-page sketch pad features a browser chrome top to help graphic designers sketch out their ideas. The page itself serves as a dot grid sketchbook, helping graphic designers to make precision linework and align their web design elements to a standard grid.

The sketch pad is letter-sized with a sturdy cardboard back for added support. And though it's made from paper, users can rest assured that it's composed of 100% recycled eco-friendly materials.

You can purchase a website stencil kit separately to create an all-in-one design solution, ideal for graphic designers who like to map out their work before heading to the digital browser.

4. Laptop lap desk

Like many freelancers, a graphic designer's workspace is often improvised from a couch or bed. A lap desk ranks among the top gifts for graphic designers simply because it can provide a more comfortable way to work.

The LapGear Home Office Lap Desk offers room for a 15-inch laptop computer with enough room left over to balance your coffee mugs and notepad. A special slot can be used to hold your phone or another digital device.

This makes this desk one of the best gifts for graphic designers who telecommute or work on design projects from home.

5. Charging station

With so many devices cluttering up a workstation, it can become challenging to keep them all charged. The Griffin PowerDock 5 allows users to charge as many as 5 devices at once, which can help graphic designers manage the power of their various electronic tools.

The space-saving design can eliminate the unsightly cords that clutter a desktop, helping people stay organized while charging all of their essential devices. This means that this charging station not only powers devices but also keeps the workspace clear and free so that a designer can focus on their work.

6. Mixoo capacitive stylus pen

One of the more practical gifts for graphic designers is the Mixoo capacity stylus pen. The stylus is compatible with many devices, including iPhones, iPads, Android phones,  Android tablets, e-readers, and Samsung tablets. It offers smooth performance, and the graphic artist in your life will love that it features a transparent disc, providing the ultimate precision when used for drawing and creating graphic designs.

The stylus is also lightweight and comfortable and can be easily attached to a pocket or device with the included clip.

7. Computer glasses

Graphic designers tend to spend long hours in front of a computer screen, increasing eye strain, fatigue, and even disrupting their sleep schedule.

A pair of computer glasses can reduce these problems by blocking the blue light responsible for these problems. And because they only block out blue light, these glasses won't result in distortions during the image-editing process.

Benicci's brand of unisex computer glasses are stylish and modern, while comfortable to wear for extended periods. This makes this product a great gift for graphic designers and anyone who spends excessive time in front of a computer screen.

8. LED light box

An LED light box can be a great gift idea for graphic designers who needs to transfer or trace a lot of sketches. While older models could be clunky and hard to use, the Huion L4S LED Light Box Ultra-Thin Adjustable Light Pad is compact, weighing in at only 21 ounces. It offers a 12"x8" surface on which to work.

The LED light is easy on the eyes. It even has a memory feature to revert to the last known brightness setting to enjoy consistency across various graphic design projects.

The device is portable, though it can be powered using a USB cable (included) which you can plug into a wall outlet or the USB port of your computer.

The work surface is covered in a protective film, ensuring a high degree of durability and a longer overall lifespan. Huion even backs its product with a one-year warranty.

9. Sakura Pigma ink gift set

The Sakura Pigma ink set ranks among the best gifts for graphic designers, providing quality tools that can be used for a variety of graphic design projects.

This set of 59 pens includes water-resistant ink and different sizes of pen nibs, allowing graphic designers to experiment with new color and line combinations for their next new creation. The quality ink is bleed-resistant, ensuring that artists maintain razor-sharp linework for all drawing projects.

If you know a graphic designer fond of paper over digital media, this set makes a great gift.

10. Moleskine Pen+ Smart Writing Set

Moleskine has long been the standard for freelancers and creative professionals, which is why this gift set might be one of the best gift ideas for the graphic designer in your life.

The Moleskine Smart Writing Set is a notebook designed for today's digital age. Users can draw or write inside the smart notebook and then store their notes and sketches as a digital file. Files can then be edited electronically and easily shared with clients and coworkers.

The Moleskine set includes a paper tablet with encoded paper, a smartpen, a charging cable, and an ink refill. Graphic designers can then pair this set with the Moleskine app for all their graphic design needs.

11. Lorem ipsum tote bag

If "Lorem ipsum" sounds like gibberish, it's because it is! Writers and graphic designers will recognize the words on this tote bag as placeholder text often used when creating logos, blog posts, and other graphic design ideas.

The bag itself is 15" high by 14.5" wide and 7" deep, with reinforced web handles, making it practical for various daily uses. Your favorite graphic designer can use it as a reusable shopping bag or packing items for the gym or beach.

These one-of-a-kind items can make great graphic design gifts for the creative professionals in your life, and their affordable price can make them an attractive option for office staff and other contractors, too.

12. Space shuttle poster kit

Posters and artwork make great gifts for graphic designers, who may find inspiration in looking at the works of other designers. The DDC Space Shuttle poster kit can be a unique gift for graphic designers who also appreciate science and the space program.

This set of posters is dedicated to the American space shuttle program that lasted from 1981-2011. Your friends will appreciate the graphic design elements of the poster, as well as the history that the poster represents.

The posters are limited to 150 copies and come with a sturdy poster tube to protect the quality of these limited-edition items.

13. Tim Burton playing cards

Are you looking for quirky gift ideas for your favorite designer? Check out these Tim Burton playing cards. This card set contains all of the cards you'd find in a standard deck, though each card bears a unique character in the style of Tim Burton.

The end result is a curious blend of cute and creepy, and the back of each card is striped with a skull on it. Graphic designers will love the way each card is different and how it can become a conversation piece during game night with friends.

14. Graphic designer t-shirt

Novelty t-shirts always make good gifts for graphic designers. They can be a fun way to express something about their identity.

This t-shirt humorously identifies the wearer as a graphic designer and comes in 5 different colors. The shirt is also available in men's, women's, and youth sizes, so you'll have no trouble finding an appropriate style and fit for the graphic designers in your life.

15. Meggs' History of Graphic Design

Books can be a treasure trove of information for a variety of professions, and the field of graphic design is no exception. Philip B. Meggs and Alston W. Purvis have created a comprehensive History of Graphic Design, highlighting significant developments in the field and containing over 1,400 pictures.

At over 700 pages, Meggs' work is nothing short of thorough, which could make this an ideal choice when you're looking for gifts for graphic designers. Those who are still completing their education in graphic design may even benefit from the information laid out in this important work.

This makes the book a great idea for aspiring graphic designers and seasoned pros alike, providing insight into different methods and theories used over the years. Graphic designers will appreciate the opportunity to see how their craft has evolved over the years and how technology continues to shape the world of design.

We love graphic designers

We hope you've found some helpful gift ideas from this year's list! Showing appreciation through these graphic design gifts is just one small way to communicate gratitude for this valuable skill set.