No, Comic Sans is NOT a "neato font".

July 28, 2011 8:36 AM

TypoFilter: I need a somewhat inexpensive gift for a typophile graphic designer.

My friend has a birthday coming very soon, and I'd love to get something useful that's typography related. The t-shirt or coffee mug with fancy lettering is kind of lame (in my opinion), so something a little more creative would be better.

Since typography and design isn't my field (no, it's true that web programmers aren't designers! Promise!), I am hoping the hive mind has a better idea.

Bonus points if it can be ordered and received quickly (Amazon Prime+++), and although my friend is a she, it need not be girly. In fact, it's probably better if it's not.

posted by chrisfromthelc to shopping (11 answers total)

Earrings made from vintage typewriter keys? This is one example; there are many others online if you google.
posted by kestrel251 at 8:42 AM on July 28, 2011

Fab.com just started a sale today on typography gifts.
posted by violetk at 8:47 AM on July 28, 2011

I like a lot of the stuff in Jessica Hische's store, but maybe it's not too different than a t-shirt of mug with fancy lettering.

Of course, if your friend is Jessica Hische, disregard.

A Type case might be neat.
posted by backwards guitar at 8:54 AM on July 28, 2011 [1 favorite]

Go for most anything in the "merch" section of veer's site.

Highly recommended is the Kern hoodie.
posted by jeremias at 8:55 AM on July 28, 2011

Love the Kern hoodie!
posted by radioamy at 9:01 AM on July 28, 2011

I'm a fan of the Thames & Hudson Type Selector, though it's on the pricey side.
posted by verstegan at 10:01 AM on July 28, 2011

I have the Periodic Table of Typefaces and it's awesome!
posted by BubbleWrap at 10:05 AM on July 28, 2011

Perhaps a gift certificate for Myfonts.com? (Or a specific type foundry, if you happen to know she has a favorite...)
posted by usonian at 10:36 AM on July 28, 2011

also from Jessica Hische, but elsewhere, this temporary tattoo from Tattly.
posted by Isingthebodyelectric at 11:42 AM on July 28, 2011

Graphic designers love to sketch and doodle. Your friend probably already has a ton of sketch/notebooks. So, why don't you give her the Pentel Sharp Kerry, in my opinion the best mechanical pencil this side of the Rio Grande. (On Amazon too)
posted by ouke at 3:36 PM on July 28, 2011

This is a link to something I've designed and created, so if it's inappropriate mods, please delete it.

I've designed some tshirts with happy cartoon guys shouting "TPYO!"...as in a typo of "typo"

For the ladies and unisex
posted by carlh at 6:20 PM on July 28, 2011