Architect-approved Gift guide

These are a few of my favorite gifts to give + to receive. Well-designed objects + effects that support creators + making, the raw materials of creative work, + a good life.

I’ve made a few other gift videos too, this is my favorite.

Even a small gift is made more meaningful when thoughtfully packaged. I wrapped these gifts in recycled sheets from my Stendig calendar and sealed it up with a custom sticker I printed on Sticker Mule. I print a few hundred at a time so they’re always on hand when I’m packaging things in the studio.

Instead of using cardboard or another material to throw away, think of the packaging as part of the gift. Here I used a felt Besta box from IKEA. Practically, I use Besta boxes for organizing and hiding clutter in the studio and quite often for carrying samples to and from site meetings.

Digging deeper, without question, my favorite gift items are books. I use them for inspiration, for access to new ideas and I like being surrounded by books in the studio. I can never have enough. I keep a list of my favorites at Amazon + on Kit.co. Do try to support a local bookstore if possible.

Sketching is an essential part of my creative process and I recently picked up a heavy duty canvas pencil case from Bellroy to hold all my sketching tools. It travels with me everywhere and easily tucks into a bag or sling. When you own nice objects you don't mind keeping them out and visible on your desk; this falls into that category. The case edges fold over so you can keep it open on the desk and the zipper closure makes a nice handle to grab and go.

For sketching I like mechanical pencils and the nice ones make great gifts. The Kuru Toga is unique as it rotates the lead while you draw always presenting a sharp point to the page. I have two, one in silver with 2H lead and one in black with HB lead. I’ve also added a Rotring .7mm mechanical pencil for heavier lines. The Rotrings are more expensive than the Kuru Togas but they all have metal barrels and importantly that's what gives them the right weight in the hand. Don’t forget the spare lead and a Tombow click eraser for precise erasing.

Not called out in the video, but also included in my pencil case:

• My inking favorites: a Sign pen, Sharpie Ultra Fine, and a Sakura Gelly roll.

• Allex Scissors

• Small scale ruler

The case is a perfect size to hold a set of 12 Derwent drawing pencils. I like the palette because they mimic architectural and natural materials: woods, earth tones, grass, metal, glass, etc. great for adding a little color to your sketch. And because these are a bit thicker than normal I carry a sharpener that works with thicker pencils like the M+R 604.

Together, these make up a foundational, long-lasting toolset.

For sketching, I’m using a new sketchbook I designed called TRACE. The pages are a luxe heavyweight 90# vellum, with a white reticle grid printed on the reverse of each page. It takes graphite, colored pencils, ink and markers beautifully with no bleed through. Because it's translucent, you can use it for iterating ideas just as you would a roll of tracing paper.

A set of copic markers is a luxury, neutrals are a personal favorite like this set of warm grays...they're double tipped with a square barrel that's easy to hold and it includes a colorless blender for fades and transitions...you'll love using these on vellum and trace.

Rounding out the gift are a few simple accessories: a small box of Japanese incense by Nippon Kodo. I burn this in the studio in the mornings. It's beautifully packaged and each stick lasts only about 10 minutes, which is just enough to scent the room. It comes with a small metal holder molded after a Tokyo street cobble. When I’m traveling, I always keep an eye out for specialty paper clips in stationery stores. I think a found object in a shallow bowl, is just as good.

And, for the end of the day, a bottle opener by Ferm and a locally brewed beer make a perfect pairing. (#12 - I poured Maine Beer Company’s Wolfe’s Neck IPA in the video).

Don’t forget, you'll need more wrapping for next year's gifts so be sure to throw in a timeless classic: the Stendig wall calendar for yourself. Designed by Massimo Vignelli, in 1966, it never goes out of style.

As 2021 draws to a close, I know for many this hasn't been an easy year. Sending you my humble thanks for your support and for returning here when I make new things.

Wishing you peace and good health in the year ahead!

Cheers,

Eric

Gift List:

1. Besta box, IKEA

2. Favorite Architecture Books

3. Bellroy pencil case

4. Mechanical pencils

5. Colored drawing pencils

6. TRACE sketchbook

7. Copic gray marker set

8. Japanese handmade incense

9. Present & Correct clip collection

10. Sea-polished, basalt stone

11. Fein bottle opener, by Ferm

12. Wolfe’s Neck IPA, Maine Beer Company

13. Stendig Calendar (not shown)

14. BONUS: Cards by Runcible Studios.

Make your own…

This is one of my all-time favorite videos. My son (sitting at the table) is all grown up now; hard to believe!