For anyone looking for some design centered gifts this year, we have shared 10 of our favorites below; most of these artists, makers and design rockstars are local to us in Charleston, SC with a few folks from afar that simply had to be included in our gift guide.
‘the charleston 25’ poster by jay fletcher
Charleston based graphic designer, Jay Fletcher, has issued a second edition of his 12” x 18” poster with iconic images of some of Charleston’s notable structures. We were given this as a gift a few years ago and admire the simple and bold iterations of buildings we love.
$35
alan jackson artwork
Local architect, Alan Jackson, has created a portfolio well beyond Charleston architecture. Abstract and line work pieces are worth viewing at the George Gallery (54 Broad Street) in person or on their website below.
Prices vary
TRIANGLE BOTTLE OPENER BY VAU PRODUCTS
“Bringing beauty and calm to your daily life.” Yes, please. We first discovered the Croatian product designer, Vau, several years back when we were in the product design world ourselves. Their products including the Triangle Bottle opener are beautiful in their simplicity and act as sculpture when not in use. (German Design Award Winner of 2018.)
$90
John Moore Photographs
Structural Engineer by day - travel and nature photographer the rest of the time and we are all better for it. John’s collections of abstract, landscape and travel photos can be found at some of Charleston’s art galleries as well as on his website.
Prints starting at $150
DISTIL UNION
Our product design friends at Distil Union are always sharing ways to simplify, streamline and organize our lives by designing modern and functional accessories. Even their product names are edited: Wally, Ferris and Snooze (for the OGs in the house). They focus on items and tasks we find ourselves using / doing everyday - think wallets, keys, phone charging, sunglasses.
Prices vary and gift cards are available.
BARN JAM POSTERS BOOK BY GIL SHULER
We have admired the work of Gil Shuler, a Charleston-based graphic designer for years (decades?) and were lucky enough to collaborate with him recently on the Firefly Distillery design. For years he has created posters for Awendaw Green, a local music venue, to promote their concerts. “Barn Jam Posters is the story and collection of concert posters I have been designing and illustrating weekly since 2008. The Awendaw Green venue just north of Charleston, SC., has been the host of hundreds of musicians from all over the world. My debut book, pictured here, boldly presents 180 of my favorites from 2008 til present.”
$30
TWELVE SOUTH
Twelve South, is a Charleston based product design company that “creates beautiful accessories inspired by Apple. From one-of-a-kind cases like BookBook to the desktop space-saver BookArc, our innovative products enhance, protect, and personalize the experience of using your favorite Apple gear.” Even Oprah added the BookBook to her favorite things. Locals may remember founder, Andrew Green’s Pechakucha talk “Small is the new big.”
Prices vary.
NIKKI GALAPON ART
Contemporary and abstract artist, Nikki Galapon is a former architecture school classmate from the Virginia Tech days. Her maps series, our favorite, layers pen and ink sketches and color over vintage maps. New work, shown here explores the geometry of hill towns.
Prices vary
CRAIGHILL BRASS ACCESSORIES
“Minimalist and cool. Beautifully designed. Impossible not to like.” So says The New York Times about the products that Craighill designs and sells. Our favorite key ring is the “Closed Helix Brass” shown here.
$30
MIDDLETON MADE KNIVES
“Passion and skill. In every knife.” – Quintin Middleton
Using high carbon steel, each knife is custom made to the exact specifications requested by each customer. Quintin puts great care into each piece and he stands by the simple philosophy that every great chef needs a great knife, at a great price. Available locally at Coastal Cupboard in Mount Pleasant.
Prices vary