Hasta La Ideas

The Core77 Ultimate Gift Guide is one of the more popular pieces of content that we put together every year, both for our readers and those of us who have the privilege—and eye—for making the selections. In the interest of capturing the communal spirit of this year’s Gift Guide, the contributors will be selecting a few of their favorite picks from their cohorts’ lists alongside one of their own.

In other words, hint, hint.

Gifts are silly, and designers are even sillier. Most people really want money, but as humans we love to obsess over gifts so we can show how well we know someone. We want to pick that perfect item that so personifies our friend, or hits on that untapped need that even they didn’t know they had. Perhaps we just want to show we care. What can be more fulfilling of human needs than that, to make a connection with peer and show you understand?

In selecting my list, I tried to pick a variety of things for all different kinds of designers. For that severe utilitarian type who is a closeted brand freak, the Herman Miller desktop power outlet says “I understand your woes my brother.” For that person who can’t just get a drink quietly, they have to make an entire production of it flaunting every tool in their 30 step process, the Stelton Sommelier Foil Cutter says “hurry up already, I just can’t wait for that next glass of Gewürztraminer.” For that designer couple you know who are about to have a designer kid, the LAX minimalist poster says “I care that your child grows up to be an aesthete just like his mama and papa.” For the whimsical iconoclast, the BOOM Swimmer says “I know you are going to do something wrong with this, go for it.” And for the billionaire designer who has a billionaire designer friend, the Icon Thriftmaster is the must-have of the season.

So no matter what type of designer you have on your gift list, I think I selected something that might be enjoyed. Some of these might even work for non-designer types… if you know any of those.

Slyphone – For me researching isn’t a phase of work, it is everyday all day. I’m always trying my hardest to covertly snap photos of things in stores, people on trains and around town, and of things I’m not supposed to in museums and art galleries. This thing is going to make my life so much easier. $19 at Minor Asset

The Magic Charger – I have three Magic Mice. One on my desk in the studio, one in my home office, and one I keep in my bag… they designed this thing for me. $50 from Mobee Technology

See the full 2013 Gift Guide for more ideas →

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