Architects and designers are perhaps among the most difficult groups of people to buy gifts for. Their attention to detail, innate eye for style and thoughtful approach to almost every facet of their work and life mean they know what they like and how they like it. 

At Australian Design Review (ADR) we’re in the privileged position of receiving countless press releases about design projects and objects, which means we’ve almost seen it all. Check out our 2024 Christmas gift guide for a selection of cool things that the creative people in your life will appreciate. 

Oscar keyring by Cat Yenn for Design by Them

There are few forms more satisfying than a perfectly symmetrical circle. When that circle also happens to be a perfectly proportioned and functional brass keyring, the delight in the purity of everyday, simple things is amplified. While a keyring might not be on many Christmas wishlists, Yenn’s elegant expression of this essential life item is the stocking stuffer no one knows they need but will absolutely want. 

The Space In Between (ring green 1) by Alexandra Blac at Useful Objects

Part of a limited edition collection that debuted at GAMUT, The Space In Between represents Alexandra Blac’s signature avant-garde style and reaffirms her recognition as one of Australia’s leading fashion accessories designers and makers.

Each hand-made wearable object is a spectacular take on neon green, pink or green. If Blac’s wearable art is cool enough for Cyndi Lauper, it’s certainly cool enough for us. 

‘Good Art is Good for You’ brooch, by Elliot Collins at Artfull

We can’t argue with award-winning New Zealand artist Elliot Collins’ statement: ‘Good art is good for you’. This bright pink, limited edition enamel brooch is the perfect gift for the creative in your life who appreciates symmetry, the power of a strong statement made succinctly, and the humble brooch’s ability to elevate the often monochromatic, straight lines of a designer’s ‘uniform’. 

The Dancer Collection by Coco Flip

Designed by Coco Flip in collaboration with Melbourne-based ceramicist Belinda Wiltshire, Dancer takes inspiration from Oskar Schlemmer’s Triadisches ballet. Schlemmer was part of the Bauhaus movement, and as such, the ballet dancers’ costumes drew on the strong geometry synonymous with the Bauhaus to emphasise each dancer’s movements. 

The collection includes wall, ceiling and table lamps. Our pick is the Dancer table lamp. Available in small, medium and large, it stands out as a functional art object thanks to its bold presence and whimsically dipped conical lampshade. 

Turning (Camphor) Candle Holders by Marlo Lyda at Useful Objects

Melbourne designer Marlo Lyda’s Turning Candle Holders are versatile pieces designed to accommodate both taper candles and column candles. Crafted to embrace the smallest camphor laurel offcuts, sourced either from the production of Turning or from mills in the Northern Rivers region, each is a unique piece that will add an element of warm, organic tactility to an interior. Available in multiple sizes, Lyda’s clever design allows them to be connected to each other, meaning styling options are almost limitless. 

HAY Dog Bed from Cult and HAY Shop

Technically this gift is for the four-legged sidekick of the cool creative in your life, but given how devoid of design intent and style most dog beds are, we couldn’t resist including this in our gift guide. A design collaboration between Mette Hay and friend Barbara Maj Husted Verner, owner of Holly Golightly, HAY Dogs invites dog owners and their pets into the HAY universe with functional and colourful accessories. Featuring a playful colour-blocked design, the dog bed is made from strong recycled polyester with a washable, removable cushion filled with recycled polyester. The bed is available in three different sizes in different designs.

Swirl Stepped Bookends by Tom Dixon at Living Edge

Tom Dixon. Geometry. Colourful swirling evocative of the paper marbling found inside the covers of rare collectable books from the 16th to 18th centuries. We don’t need to say much more about these exquisite functional sculptures that would look as good standing alone as they would performing the task they were designed for. 

Tanchen String Bottle Bag at Morning Market

Summer is for picnics in city parks, hiking in the hinterlands, barbecues with friends and basking on the beach. Summer is also hot and hydration is essential. The Tanchen String Bottle Bag is one of the most chic bottle-carrying accessories we’ve come across. Its oakwood handles make a simple yet strong style statement, while the nylon elastic yarn means it fits snugly around bottles of varying shapes and sizes.