#started up photoshop for the first time since 2019 and asked my art-friends what brushes I should pick out

[legglessheit]

Haleth sketch

[noxyfied]

This, is Noxy/Noxyfied/Nox. This is the character I identify as online, and I want to tell you my story with this adorable Arctic Fox because it is one heck of a tale from not so long ago

Things did begin rough at the beginning of my persona’s history. I honestly can’t recall how I came up with it, only how I inserted my love for something and went with it.

From the early years of 2017 to 2019 I was all paper and pencil. Ah yes traditional art was my big thing for a couple of years during that era of 2013 to 2020. I had a time where I wrote stories about characters I made, and not much. No fan art, no nothing, I wanted to stick to my own original ideas at first before I took the step to do something that I did not own; it was a weird mindset I know, I couldn’t hold myself to want to be original and develop to be good enough to draw other things.

It took me some time to develop, hell even to this day I still am unsure of my own skills but I enjoyed trying new things. I don’t reject much criticism even if it comes harsh it still lingers in my head when received anyway. I needed someone to identify as online, a persona who I would have an identity through as I was moving forward on this hopeful career I want to make with my art.

Idea #1 draw my own self accurate to how I look 

Scratch that...

Nononono, I am too bad at showing my face, even at that I don’t like myself.

So I had to come up with something else, 2019 was ending with my skills rising up to something neat. I had Fire alpaca and a wacom cheap tablet which I used time to time back then, and with how I moved foward I said “why not, lets draw a glaceon.

Not bad, not bad. I do enjoy anthropomorphic animals, and for a anthro Glaceon it wasn't so bad. Even back then I did not enjoy much of this picture but the idea sparked. I did roleplay around online a lot as a Glaceon. People always had referred to me as a Glaceon when talking, because furry friends tend to be like that and I don’t mind. It had definitely sparked the idea of identifying as one for my persona.

I had a hard time how I would draw this character, a more personalized Glaceon with my own flare of the art style I carry should be nice, should I make it tall? short? anthro? feral? the questions rose up. Even more as time passed, took some time unsure of it, Unluckily I had a Glaceon FURsona, not a persona. (Yes those were two separate things as I carried 7 fursonas as individual characters in their own stories).

But soon one day in class, my artsy self was bored and it just sparked.

This is it! yes! I love it! something about this just clicked for some reason, it was like nothing I had seen before I could not look away at it, this was it.

After class I went home and played some games. The idea was there but man am I tired. Things did go slow, but not for long as of January, the classes I took gave me the ability to better understand this Adobe Photoshop, an amazing tool for editing pictures but also... To draw?!? I have heard of using Photoshop to draw but was amazed to have the ability using such program. During my time 2019 I would doodle around on Photoshop in my school or at home (thanks to the campus giving me a cheaper prize to use it for assignments) Not bad, not bad, the program was for sure something nice to use. Look! I even drew my Fursonas there too, ain’t that nice

2019 was something for sure. It had just begun making 2020 quite the year as I took my wacom tablet, opened Photoshop, and on January there it was.

Oh how cute! I felt so proud of myself, firealpaca was nothing like how clean and pretty Photoshop was, I was amazed at this ability.

“I made this?” that would be what I ask myself everyday. Time to time I would, and still, look at my phone to my drawings and remember what I used to make some pieces, I will not forget how I used thick outlines with the line too from photoshop, added some depth on the eyes. But most importantly, I had a persona, and I introduced it

My friends loved it, I could not believe I am starting to do the shift, my days of traditional art were at a halt. Not at a complete stop since I do use traditional art for a few other things of course, this was just my main focus now.

This little creature was everything to me, cute, easy to make, helped me throughout a few months as I practiced with my digital art.

I also perfected it’s look, but something looked rather familiar about it. Could not put my finger to it, so I went on drawing it.

that was a few exceptions where I shifted the proportions for “it”

“It” “it” what was this thing supposed to be, I myself was unsure how to identify myself with this persona. Male? no, female? no. The issue was there, who am I really inside, who was my persona gonna be.

I still cannot tell you exactly what my persona was for the longest time. I at times felt lost and confused with my identity, it did not help that 2020 did its mumbo jumbo and a pandemic happened, it was a lot of time on my own at home just questioning really who I had been for the longest time. Classes were minimal so my free time was big around April and May.

I was always unsure of who I was exactly, through my early years late 2000′s I had in me that my body was uncomfortable for looking the way it did, 2010′s went silent but there was something in me I did not understand. why did I feel this way, why do I feel as I am not happy with who I am, and who I identify with.

This persona was the wake up call to who I really wanted to be. I saw it in me that I knew being a male was the main issue in me feeling unhappy. Throughout my life I did not enjoy masculinity as much as other kids, yeah I had some boy traits but it was rather minimal, I enjoyed other things more. I enjoyed a lot of things about being female it was something I had never seen before. as hard or confusing things tend to be from me to explain, its a rather hard thing for myself to explain. But that how it felt “confusing” I researched and looked for things and to my conclusion I had come to be, I come to identify as a MtF trans.

I felt relieved in me of it and I already enjoyed my days more after from it. The only issue is “who do I tell..?” I was timid to tell this to anyone, friends or even family. Especially family, those I come to admit they will never be told of what my decision was because of how hard headed they are. It is a tragic story to tell since most families are such closed minded people of rejecting others.

“My friends tho, my friends? I would feel bad if I told them” that was the mindset I had for a while before admitting to them time to time, one by one. This was a chapter in my life that had changed me early 2020′s but I felt a lot of joy in me to be who I wanted to be, I no longer took anyone else's guidance for controlling who I am, I just went with my own flow.

My persona was.... more comically confused, it could be either so I just left it how my mood wanted it to go for when drawing it. So, things went well, in 2019 with the money I got I found myself enjoying a lot of second handed games, with a game coming real soon that had me pumped for I had to get a console I wanted for so long

A PS4 for the the Final fantasy 7 Remake, I was so pumped waiting for the game, I got a used PS4 for it and even bought couple other games for it to get to know the console: Final fantasy 15, destiny, and later on this Persona 5 game a lot of people talked about. Hmm ok, well lets try it out and oh me oh my, a few days later:

The art style captivated me, can you tell I went all out to trying anything with my persona? I cannot believe I was my own guinea pig for these sorts.

Going around some friends and they will tell you that I used this pfp quite a lot back then, as well as updating it with a new oc I had come up with

A tale in due time will be told about this gal.

well, it was set and forth that this was me, my persona, this glaceon was who I was. People loved it, my friends really liked it, and I had a blast having this first pure year of digital art only. Meeting new friends, and admiring their art. Having old friends come back, and even losing a few others on the way. During the time of june, to July I was rapid about drawing my persona in many ways, short, tall, anthro, feral

even metallic.

 But there come some time I did not grew tired of. But a little worried that I had to rely on a franchise for my own identity, of course there is nothing wrong for those doing it. But reflecting on myself, back then when I wanted this art career to happen, I wanted to go all out letting out my imagination  with my own creations. I had to make the decision, it was time to move on...

...To a new art program and new drawing tablet

No, it wasn’t that. I had to branch out from this Glaceon, but keep my identity, my legacy of this persona in check, but with a new coat of paint of course. did not take a long time before choosing that I had to use a real life animal as inspiration for this change. Something at least close to it, ah yes of course! the inspiration of the Glaceon was an arctic fox, well those are some good stepping stones to begin with so what happened one day is that I began sketching, not before saying good bye to this old self that helped me begin. It was weird, this is me but it was old me?

Tested the new Brushes from this amazing program called Clip studio paint, and I gotta say I love the program. Sincerely the best choice I made to leave Photoshop for this.

At last, this is it. the new Me!

Familiar looking isn’t it,baby steps we can say.

I cannot blame the people for calling my new persona a “Glaceon-alike”

I headed to the right direction stepping away from it, but it was hard to let go

new program, new tablet, new me. the later half of 2020 went onto a lot of changes with myself, the chibi small version did not make me happy to make anymore, I was losing the touch and with the few comments I got of looking like a “powerpuff girl look a like” did set me off to do a drastic change I am thankful to do. This new me had some weird phases, don’t we all tho?

where else to brainstorm than back to the traditional old ways. Now, you may see this and ask what was I thinking when making this. the order of when i started and finish goes as: Top right: ok what if it was feral, nah nah scratch. Top left: Can I still make it cute with a round face and features I had from before? ew no! that looks scary Bottom right: lets make it more natural and wow hey! yes yes yes! this looks hundred times better. Bottom left: It is time I go all out and make it humanoid, it was how I found myself enjoying drawing most things but still did some anthropomorphic things. I was just not the best of it.

Back to digital and.... Amazing, I really out did myself this time, lets go for it, lets keep going with this

I even got a cool sword too!

My practice continued from here, the second half was great and fun. New persona got me in a place where I was happy with and through October and December I was having a blast with the more possibilities with it. I went on to practice with even more suggestive things after a life drawing class I took, proportions mattered to me and with this new persona I went out to make more better looking proportions that were attractive and stylish.

This persona was great, and I managed to make so much of it. even Drawing the more suggestive stuff had left me with an answer for this persona. Just make it gender fluid, my selection for this character being male or female made me so tired I did not know why I just made it gender fluid since the beginning. My mood swings for this character, and I can’t resist drawing it either way. Was I finished? of course not, this persona still had some work around to do. The hair became a pain to make to keeping up with  consistently.

2020 ended, with a year of exciting new things coming for this new year. I went through quite a lot in my life and my art career took a shaken with this new digital life style, my persona became the identity I saw myself through, something im happy with drawing to represent Me.

That isn’t to say that I gave up on drawing Me Me.

I drew who I hope to be, and will use this from time to time, nothing fancy but something.

It has been a year already since I began identifying myself with this persona from last year from now. ever since I sketched that doodle in class, it has been a happy trip through memory lane writing it and I am happy how things turned out. 2021 is what I hope to be as good as 2020 was (by that I mean drawing only of course) In 2021 one more change was made that had made me just as happy to continue on with.

I got more hair! as crazy as it is yes. More hair, and a different front style has been to this day what I been using.

I even made a discord emoji for all the warm hugs to have with my fursona!

and my first ever animation I have ever done before!!

I am always experimenting new things, and i’m proud to be an artists to go out there and leave my art out there to be noticed by anyone. The love and appreciation friends and others leave me are the best thing I could ask. I look foward to see what is up ahead, for me, my career, and Noxy.

[helenpattersoon]

46 gifts for designers, artists & creatives

There are two types of people in the world: those who treat gift shopping like an Olympic sport, and those who keep a stockpile of gift cards in their desk drawer for every occasion. In the spirit the holidays, we’ll keep it real with you guys. While we take no issue with gift cards (well played TBH), there’s nothing quite like a present that comes from the heart.

At 99designs, not only do we know a thing or two about creativity—we also fancy ourselves the first kind of person. (And boy, do we love a Santa’s helper cosplay.) We asked our designer community, our friends and your favorite creators-in-the-wild to give us all their gift ideas. From that, we curated this ultimate gift guide just for you.

This puppy is loaded with cool things—from unique stocking stuffers to experiential gifts and even furniture(!). It’s big. It’s grand. It’s a little extra, if we do say so ourselves. But you’d be hard-pressed to find a better one out there.

On your marks, get ready, get set…

Let’s gift!

—

  1. Adventure Awaits print

Adventure awaits those who seek it, via Furry Little Peach.

Up first is the “Adventure Awaits” print by Furry Little Peach, who you might recognize from Instagram or her inspiring Youtube channel. This A3 beauty has been created using archival ink on 100% cotton paper, meaning it won’t fade or wear over time.

Combine this with a nice frame, and you’ve got a museum-quality gift that will impress anyone.

$65 AUD at Furrylittlepeach.com

via Amazon

2. The Working Mind and Drawing Hand

FLP also recommends a book she just received and loves: The Working Mind and Drawing Hand by Oliver Jeffers. This book contains never-before-published illustrations and art from Jeffers’ own sketchbook.

$34.43 at Amazon.com

Recommended by: Furry Little Peach

Sha’an d’Anthes is Furry Little Peach–an illustrator, exhibiting artist and published author.

3. Fancy-ish luggage

Sometimes a utilitarian gift is the best kind of gift, and this bag comes highly recommended for a reason. It allows you to charge multiple devices and keeps your things safe with a built-in lock. Take it with you to your next creative conference, to meetings, wherever. What could be better for a digital nomad designer?

$99 at Brookstone.com

Everyone loves to upskill, via Superhi.

4. Learn to code with Superhi

Teach a man to fish and yada yada.It’s empowering to learn something new. Superhi offers a plethora of beginner coding courses all aimed at teaching designers how to build their own beautiful websites from scratch.

$149 at Superhi.com

Watch the sunrise from the comfort of your workspace, via GUR.

5. Sunrise rug

GUR rugs are all handmade using raw, recyclable materials and traditional methods. We’re particularly fond of this one by Chan Wai Hon, whose design really highlights the weaving technique and makes us feel calm.

€100 at Rubygur.com

via Counter-Print

6. Global graphic design

We’re constantly inspired by our global community, and top designer Edwin Cappalla is, too. He recommends this set of 3 paperbacks by Counter-Print, which offer endless inspiration in the form of packaging, posters and signage from Eastern Europe, Scandinavia and Japan.

£20 at Counter-print.co.uk

7. Logo Design Love

via WATC

Case studies, sketches, tips, oh my! You won’t find a more perfect gift for a logo-obsessed designer.

$26.35 at Amazon.com

Recommended by: 99designs top designer C A P S

For examples of work by C A P S, visit his 99designs profile.

8. CMYK tattoos

Don’t freak, moms. It’s just temporary. via Tattly

5 bucks gets you a set of 2 temporary tattoos for the needle-phobic print enthusiast in your life. Heck, splurge a little and grab the RGB set, while you’re at it.

$5 at Tattly.com

9. Houtique chair and lamp set

Lilly Friedeberg is something of a wunderkind. Known for creating funky, colorful illustrations, she recently made her way into the agency world and founded her own studio for branding, packaging and photography. On her wishlist? An ultra-cool chair and lamp from Houtique.

Price upon request at Houtique

Recommended by: Lilly Friedeberg

Lilly is a designer and art director based in Düsseldorf, focussing on branding, illustration packaging and set design.

Did someone say fine blown glass and elegant brass ball chain? via Coming Soon New York.

10. Nordic glass ornaments

We know what you’re thinking: ornaments for the holidays. Really? But hear us out: these ultra-sleek hangables are designed by AYTM, and they’re nice enough to have on display all year round. Put them on a shelf. Hang them in your window! The possibilities are endless.

$20 at Comingsoonnewyork.com

11. Gradient puzzle

The stuff of nightmares, or best gift ever? You decide. via Areaware.

Will completing this puzzle take over your designer friends’ lives? Maybe. Will it be meditative? No promises. But this glossy and glorious gift sure looks pretty when it’s finished.

$20 on Areaware.com

Say it not-so-subtly. via Anthony Burrill.

12. Think of Your Own Ideas poster

Anthony Burrill is a graphic designer perhaps best known for his “Work Hard and Be Nice to People” poster. But that’s so 2004. Spice up a pal’s space with a lesser-known (but just as cheeky) print.

£50.00 + shipping at Anthonyburrill.com

via Apple

13. iPad Pro

The new iPad topped lots of top designers’ lists, including IsaDesignNet, Maneka and Ian_Douglas. The Futur’s Chris Do also recommends it as the “ultimate creator’s tool”.

And there’s a lot to love. In addition to having the best display yet, Adobe will release Photoshop for the iPad in 2019. We can’t wait to see how it performs.

iPad pro: From $799 at Apple.com

14. Apple Pencil

If you give a designer a new iPad, they’re going to ask for the Apple Pencil. With the newest model for the iPad Pro, you can pair and charge it wirelessly, increase your pressure to draw a thicker line—and even shade with a simple tilt of the wrist.

Apple Pencil: $99 at Apple.com

Recommended by: Chris Do

Chris is an Emmy award-winning director, designer, strategist and educator. He’s the Chief Strategist and CEO of Blind, executive producer of The Skool and founder of The Futur–and online education platform that teaches the business of design to creative thinkers.

Sometimes it’s that simple. via Austin Kleon.

15. Show Your Work

You’ve heard of Steal Like an Artist, but Austin Kleon’s second book takes it to the next level. (It also comes highly recommended from creative director Greg Gunn.)

It’s message is simple: share. Share what you do and how you do it with the world.

– @grgnn

$22.33 at Amazon.com

Small enough to go anywhere, big enough for your ideas. via Baron Fig.

16. Baron Fig Notebook

Greg also loves Baron Fig notebooks, and rarely leaves the house without one.

$18 at Baronfig.com

Recommended by: Greg Gunn

Greg is a creative entrepreneur, visual storyteller and an award-winning animation director. As Chief Creative Officer of The Futur, Greg oversees the marketing of educational produts, guides content development and helps drive the creative direction for the brand.

17. Peak Design’s tech pouch

Origami-inspired organization, via Peak Design.

This powerful little pouch was successfully funded on Kickstarter and starts shipping in December: just in time for the holidays.

$59.95 at Peakdesign.com

Recommended by: Ben Burns

Ben is a brand strategist, an award-winning designer, entrepreneur and loving father of (soon to be) two daughters. As the Chief Operating Officer of The Futur, Ben oversees the development, marketing and logistics of educational products.

Perfect for defining your creative brand, via Condor Business Solutions.

18. The Win Without Pitching Manifesto

This black book comes recommended with praise from Matthew Encina, who says, “it changed my life as a creative professional.” Let this book’s twelve proclamations inspire you.

$22.50 at Amazon.com

Recommended by: Matthew Encina

Matthew Encina is the award-­winning Chief Content Officer at The Futur. His clients include Fortune 500 brands, music artists, emerging tech companies and video games.

19. Muji slippers

Stay cozy, my friends. via Muji.

A sweet pair of slippers is always a winner. Make it cooler by sourcing a minimalist linen pair from designer-mecca Muji.

$24 at Muji.us

Fancy pillows for fancy people. via Print All Over Me.

20. Blue Bones pillow

IK blue accessories will never go out of style. This pillow features a print by design duo Mogollon, a power couple whose work has been featured on the facade of a Seoul mall, a Katy Perry album and Vogue Japan. We’re fans.

$62 at Paom.com

21. Tilt Brush by Google

Have you ever wanted to 3D paint in space? Um, yeah! You’ll need an HTC Vive, Oculus Rift or a Windows Mixed Reality headset to use it, but even then it’s such a steal–and it’s also #1 on artist Coco Morton’s list.

$22.95 at Steampowered.com

It’s a bird, it’s a plane. via Amazon.

22. Superhero Bookend

Since you’re loading up on design books, why not throw in a superhero bookend to complete the gift?

$25.95 at Amazon.com

Recommended by: Coco Morton

Coco is a visual artist and designer support admin at 99designs. She describes herself as a doodler and a dreamer, and we just love that.

23. Binary screenprint

via Simply Creative.

Spanish designer Alex Trochut is best known for his incredible typographic work, but check out his binary prints. Duality is the theme here–turn off the lights and the darkness reveals a hidden image. Each print is signed by the artist.

From $100 at Binary-prints.com

Give the gift of a funky fridge. via Areaware.

24. Stick-up sticks

Like chalks from your childhood, these magnets by design studio Bower are just s’cute. Cut at various angles, they point in different directions when attached to a metal surface. Snag them in both natural and multi colorways.

$8 at Areaware.com

Dogs dogs dogs dogs dogs! via Scribe Publications.

25. (Definitely) the Best Dogs of All Time

This hardcover book features stories of powerful, mythical, heroic, talented and literary dogs who have changed the course of history. Plus, sweet illustrations by designer Molly Dyson.

$18 at Amazon.com

Instant cameras are always a hit, via Outdoor Photo.

26. Leica Sofort camera

The recipient of this small but mighty camera will be the life of any party. And, it comes in two of the trendiest colors of the year: baby blue and orange.

$279 at Leicacamerausa.com

Recommended by: 99designs top designer Minji Moon

Minji is a freelance designer from Seoul, Korea. She specializes in illustration and motion graphics and counts Samsung, Cadillac and Adobe among her client roster.

via LOQI

27. LOQI artist bags

Water resistant, long-lasting and artistic AF. Pick up an environmentally-friendly LOQI artist bag for your very own Haring, Van Gogh or Pollock.

$12.95 at Loqistore.com

28. Liquitex muted collection

Liquitex Inks are extremely fluid, water resistant, permanent and so lightfast they’ll go down in history. You can water the ink down, stamp it, or use it seamlessly with any other Liquitex product.

Find a retailer

I think I’ve replaced about 5 or 6 bottles in total since I started collecting them–so they’re worth the long term investment!

Recommended by: 99designs top designer Ink’d

For examples of work by Ink’d, visit their 99designs profile.

Should you or shouldn’t you? Consult the chart. via Molly McLeod.

29. Side project flowchart

Find ordering prints a hassle? Hate unrolling them when they arrive? Then do we have the gift for you. This is a high-resolution digital download good for two 11×17 copies of this poster.

$5 at Mollymcleod.com

via Macstories

30. Luna Display

Jocelyn Tsaih is an artist and illustrator whose work has been everywhere these days–from WeWork’s halls to the pages of the New York Times–she’s even been commissioned by Facebook and Airbnb.

This year, she’s hoping for a Luna Display: a powerful little device that turns your iPad into a second monitor.

$79.99 at Lunadisplay.com

Paint the rainbow. via Amazon.

31. Posca paint markers

Also on Jocelyn’s list: 29 Uni Posca paint markers. These puppies are water-based, non-toxic and don’t bleed.

Posca Markers are amazing to use and having all the different colors would mean endless drawing possibilities!

$47.26 at Amazon.com

Recommended by: Jocelyn Tsaih

Jocelyn is a visual artist and egg-lover based in Oakland, California.

Let’s snuggle. via TicTail.

32. In Pieces throw blanket

We’re also fans of Jocelyn’s venture into fiber arts. Pick up a one-of-a-kind throw for chilly nights, in navy & natural or pink & navy.

$130 at Jocelyntsaihstore.tictail.com

Knowledge is priceless. via Creative Live.

33. Creative Live class

Lisa Congdon (yes, THE Lisa Congdon) teaches your creative buds how to get organized and get to work in this popular Creative Live course.

$49 at Creativelive.com

34. Ultra wide monitor

For someone you REALLY love. via LG.

Not for the faint of heart! Design-pro Pixel & Bracket suggests this curved monitor from LG.  He says, “I’m moving away from dual monitor setups and really like the ultra wide monitors instead. With one widescreen, creative apps can be scaled or placed right next to each other.”

$896.99 at Amazon.com

You get a port, and you get a port, and you get a port! via Amazon.

35. VAVA 8-in-1 adapter

At a slightly lower price-point, Pixel & Bracket recommends this VAVA 8-in-1 adapter.

He says, “For those of us MacBook Pro users, this hub is the best one I’ve come across (and use). It has everything you need in it!”

$59.99 at Amazon.com

Recommended by: Pixel & Bracket

Pixel & Bracket (aka Spencer) is a multimedia designer from Indianapolis, Indiana. He posts design tutorials to help educate and inspire others.

You can run from the typography police, but they’ll find you. via Hoefler&Co.

36. Typographic Ticket Book

When we first saw this gift pop up on Fast Company, we knew we had to include it. Each ticket lists 32 common design infractions, each assigned its own appropriate penalty. Typeset in Helvetica, of course, it’s perfect for the designer who loves rules.

$10 at Designshop.typography.com

Two icons for the price of one. via Connox.

37. Bauhaus mobile

Bauhaus fans rejoice: now anyone can own a piece of design history–and color theory–with a hanging mobile designed by Ole Flensted.

$47.90 at Connox.com

Insights and inspiration for anyone who makes art. via Design Milk.

38. Things Are What You Make of Them

You must know by now that we have a huge crush on Adam J. Kurtz. He’s a Brooklyn-based designer, artist and author who offers advice and realness over 13 handwritten chapters. Bonus: perforated pages mean you can tear out the wisdom you love the most and display the pages wherever you please.

$11.91 at Amazon.com

Awwww, can we keep it? via Eva Stalinski.

39. Spray bottle enamel pin

Do you have a friend who loves clean design? Then this little enamel cutie is perfect for them.

$8 at Evastalinski.com

An illustrators’ staple. via Courts.

40. Wacom Intuos M

99designs designer AZ-Designs just purchased himself a new Wacom Intuos to take his work to the next level.

$299.95 at Amazon.com

Recommended by: Top level designer AZ-Designs

For examples of work by AZ-Designs, visit his 99designs profile.

41. Tie-dye cube soaps

Soaps so cute you’ll never use them. via Decovry.

Anna Niestroj is an entrepreneur, designer, pattern-maker, trend researcher and the face of Studio Blinkblink–a former Berlin institution and what was once the coziest and most creative space in the Wedding neighborhood. Recently she packed up Blinkblink and relocated to Jüterbog to dream up her next venture in a former police headquarters.

On her holiday wishlist? Organic, tie-dye soaps infused with detoxifying ingredients that she discovered in Paris. And don’t they look so cool?

$20 – $44 at Mote.kr

Perfect for the groovy artist. via Brusho.

42. Brusho Crystal Colors

Anna also recommends Brusho’s Crystal Colors in bold hues. Drop them in water and watch the colors fly.

These pigments make you trip on paper, for real. It is so relaxing to watch the colors flow.

– @blinkblinkink

Leave one of these out for Santa. via Japan Centre.

43. Japanese sweets

As Anna says, “Anything from Japan is a good gift for a designer. Anything.” We think these sweet sesame pancake confections would make a great stocking stuffer.

£2.00 at Japancentre.com

Don’t you just love surprises? via Stack.

44. Stack magazine subscription

Finally, Anna recommends a subscription to Stack. Every month you’ll receive a different independent magazine, serving up endless inspiration for graphic designers, illustrators and artists alike.

From $15 at Stackmagazines.com

Recommended by: Anna Niestroj

Anna is the founder of Studio Blinkblink, an interdisciplinary creative studio.

45. Gingerbread mouse pad

This festive mouse pad is so sweet, you’ll keep it on your desk long after the holidays end. It features a candy cane and gingerbread pattern designed by the Disney-loving creative business-owner behind Katnipp Illustration. Love!

€9.58 at Etsy.com

46. How to Move to NYC ebook

All creatives dream of New York, right? via Letsgoto.nyc.

Featuring awesome illustrations from designer Lu Yu, this comprehensive guide by Tobias van Schneider is chock-full of practical tips for creatives wanting to relocate to the Big Apple–and even includes how to get a visa. It promises to save you time, money and nerves. Let us know if it works!

$29 at Letsgo.nyc

  Enter our Instagram giveaway

—

See something you just have to have? You’re in luck! Follow the instructions to win a box of curated goodies—one for you, and one for a friend:

First, follow 99designs on Insta

Visit our gift guide post

Comment your favorite gift featured above

And don’t forget to tag a friend!

We’ll announce our winners on Friday, November 23rd.

Good luck, and happy gifting from 99designs.

Take me to Instagram!

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