Now that you've fought your way out of a tryptophan-induced coma, it's time to tackle your holiday shopping. You’ve been keeping a mental gift-list of friends and family, but the person who keeps you up at night is the one who eats, sleeps, and breathes design. Doesn't sound familiar? Allow me to point them out: they're the ones who looks sharp in the simplest getup, own one piece of furniture, and are impossible to shop for.
It’s a matter of finding something fantastic that epitomizes the functionality and aesthetic of their ever designy lifestyle. Here are two things that will help you make that magic happen: the first is a Lenovo Yoga, the perfect tool for Pinterest and Facebook sleuthing, as well as online shopping.
And the second is this gift guide packed with inspired inventions.
NudeAudio’s Move Speakers
Cost: $30-$100
It's a cruel world. We're taunted by the fragility of our favorite devices and our inevitably faltering fingers. Three broken phone screens later, you can finally give your buddy a gift that's made to last. NudeAudio’s Move speakers were designed under the assumption that one day, someone will drop them. So your friend can do just that — drop it, swing it around his head to his favorite song ("Party in the USA," anyone?), even throw it in a game of catch without breaking a sweat. NudeAudio has designed a functional, good-looking speaker that’s actually made to be taken along with you anywhere. Its portability is the idea, which is encouraged by a stylishly colorful wrist strap. Plus it has solid sound quality and Bluetooth connectivity — all for as low as $30.
3Doodler
Cost: $99
Imagine a 3D printer that replaces the printer itself with your hand. Sounds impossible, but that’s essentially what the 3Doodler does. It’s a pen that loads printable plastic, which you can then use to doodle objects in thin air. No need for computer files of 3D renderings, because the renderings are in your brain. Notable features include the ability to control the speed at which the plastic dispenses, and a silicone tip for safety. Nab this one for your design-loving loved one, and the two of you will be playing 3D hangman and doodling dueling Davids in no time.
The Lenovo Yoga 2 Pro
Cost: $929
You watch your buddy juggle three to four devices on a daily basis, and you can only wonder how it got this way. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if you could help them streamline their menagerie of electronics to be as minimal and smooth-running as the rest of their life? This is where the flexible Lenovo Yoga 2 Pro comes in — it can fold every which way to be your laptop, your tablet, a simple display stand, or a tent. With a magnificent 3200 x 1800 high resolution screen, your pal will be able to see more gorgeous detail than he's ever seen on a single screen. As a designer who works pixel by pixel, he'll appreciate it. Not to mention, he'll be able to consolidate his pile of devices into one awesome device. The Yoga 2 Pro has the functional power of a computer and the clever design to make it extra versatile — a solid companion for designers and non-designers alike.
Lucetta Magnetic Bike Lights
Cost: $34
There’s no question that anyone who’s traveling on two wheels needs a pair of lights to guide them along dark streets. Your cycling friend will be looking for lights that 1) work well and 2) look good. Smart design answers to both, and that’s why Lucetta's beautifully minimal magnetic bike lights are so great. Magnets means being able to quickly throw the lights onto a bike, and later into a bag. Since they're so easy to mount, your friend will even be able to play with positioning. Portability also means not having to worry about anyone snagging them off your frame.
littleBits Synth Kit
Cost: $159
If you haven’t heard of littleBits by now, they make electronic modules (the bits) that magnetically snap together. Color-coded and easy to use, your friend can combine them in a variety of ways to make an electronic circuit. What makes this particular littleBits set all the more exciting is a partnership with KORG, overlords of awesome synth innovations. The two joined forces to create a synth kit that gives makers an incredible breadth of possibility. With 12 bits, there are 500,000 circuit combinations, and who knows how many resulting sounds! You can essentially make your own instruments, and connect them to your computer and speakers. Enjoy this gratuitous video of Reggie Watts demoing.
Lenovo wishes you a beautiful holiday, free of aesthetically-insulting gifts (and shopping malls).
Lisbeth Ortega is a writer based in San Francisco. She was head editor at Photojojo from 2010 to 2013. Her specialty is cameras, mobile photography, and tech. She waits years to develop film.