Maybe money is tight or you're doing a gift exchange with a set spending limit. Whatever the reason, if the recipient is a graphic designer, aspiring designer, or other person who likes to create artwork on the computer you're sure to find a low-cost ($15USD or less) gift to put a smile on their face everytime they use it.
Here's a different sort of design book. Instead of showing you the best of the best, it's the best of the rest. Just because a client rejects one of a designer's ideas doesn't mean the design wasn't without merit.
Great Rejects features some of these excellent but not what the client chose logos, brochures, posters, and packaging.
Give a mouse pad featuring artwork or slogans that the professional or aspiring designer or typographer on your list will appreciate everytime they sit down at the computer to put mouse to pad.
Whether the designer on your gift-shopping lists sits at their desk sipping coffee or tea, gulping colas, or enjoying a nice mug of hot chocolate they'll enjoy it more in one of these large or small mugs featuring designer-themed artwork and slogans.
A great stocking stuffer, this toolbox is stuffed full of useful little tools such as the Pixel Wrench, Pocket Color Map, and items for color matching and measuring. It's good not only for graphic design projects but also for craft projects such as traditional and digital scrapbooking.
Yes, you can find good desktop publishing software for free. This package would make a great gift for someone toying with the idea of desktop publishing but who can't afford the professional packages. Put one on a CD for them. Would go great with a CD for free fonts or clip art.
Have more time than cash? Fill a CD full of free fonts, clip art, or templates and give that to a designing friend. Check the licensing but many designers allow the freebies they create to be freely redistributed as long as you aren't charging for them. Are you a decent photographer? Give a CD full of your own original digital photos. Just let the recipient know if they can use them for business or personal use only.
