{"id":1521,"date":"2025-01-29T12:49:58","date_gmt":"2025-01-29T13:49:58","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.storybooksaintbernards.com\/?p=1521"},"modified":"2025-04-03T23:09:33","modified_gmt":"2025-04-03T23:09:33","slug":"agency-end-of-year-gifts-were-still-admiring-a-month-into-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.storybooksaintbernards.com\/index.php\/2025\/01\/29\/agency-end-of-year-gifts-were-still-admiring-a-month-into-2025\/","title":{"rendered":"Agency End-of-Year Gifts We\u2019re Still Admiring a Month into 2025"},"content":{"rendered":"

The holiday season brings a sense of celebration, generosity, and the joy of unwrapping something special. In the design industry, it\u2019s a time for studios and agencies to wield their craft to design thoughtful, bespoke gifts for clients and collaborators\u2014expressions of creativity that go beyond the ordinary. It\u2019s inspiring to see how design teams turn this tradition into an art form blending storytelling, craftsmanship, and surprise. At the turn of the new year, we tend to set things aside and look ahead.<\/p>\n

While our minds may be on the year ahead of us, I wanted to take some time out to spotlight my favorite studio-made gifts from 2024 that truly stand out.<\/p>\n

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Tavern\u2019s House Lambrusco<\/h2>\n
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To celebrate their second year in business, Tavern<\/a> created a limited edition sparkling red Lambrusco, Tavern House Wine, for clients and close agency friends. This follows their first-anniversary project, Tavern Beer, a design created to showcase the team\u2019s capabilities and attract beer clients. Their wine takes inspiration from dive bars, Italian American social clubs, and red sauce joints, a nod to the studio\u2019s love for food, drinks, and hospitality. \u201cSince the beginning, taverns have shaped our agency\u2019s identity,\u201d said Mike Perry, founder and chief creative officer. \u201cDrawing influence from the White Horse Tavern in Newport, Rhode Island, the oldest running tavern in the U.S. For this project, we imagined the kind of house wine an old-school Italian American establishment would serve, blending history with our signature creative approach.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Century Schoolbook wordmark\u2014a timeless nod \u2014pairs with Minuet, a vintage wine label typeface, and Grilli Type Standard comes in for contrast. Hidden details include vintage seals and stamp overlays that evoke some of the team\u2019s favorite beer labels. The label\u2019s horses resemble chess knights to symbolize Tavern\u2019s two years in business, and repeat in the wax-dipped top, hand-stamped, horse insignia. The Tavern team has created a story and experience that extends well beyond the bottle. The patinaed brass glorifier, which doubles as an ashtray, and a membership card to the studio\u2019s imaginary tavern are theatrical and playful nods to a bygone era. Perry said, \u201cUltimately, this project is as much about celebrating our clients as it is about indulging our own passion for design, storytelling, and handcrafted details.\u201d<\/p>\n

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If Only Creative\u2019s Bespoke Salsa<\/h2>\n
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If Only Creative<\/a>, a Chicana-led creative agency, has always championed collaboration and community at its core. This ethos came to life in their recent partnership with celebrated Chicano chef Jacob Croom of pop-up and supper club My Friend Fernando to develop two custom salsas for existing and potential clients. From the recipe itself to the packaging, this collaboration reflects their shared passion for uplifting culture, storytelling, and artistry. By blending Jacob\u2019s culinary expertise with If Only Creative\u2019s design vision, they\u2019ve created a product that is as authentic and bold as the communities they serve.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis partnership also marks an exciting moment for the agency,\u201d said If Only Creative\u2019s founder, Marisa Dunning-Sanchez, \u201cas Jacob Croom will officially join If Only Creative as a food partner for our private dinner, El Otro Lado, in 2025.\u201d This announcement underscores the agency\u2019s commitment to bridging creative and culinary worlds, forging relationships that amplify voices within communities of color. Together, they aim to push boundaries, bringing new ideas and flavors to life while celebrating the rich heritage of Chicano culture.<\/p>\n

As an agency rooted in food and beverage, If Only Creative consistently prioritizes supporting POC-owned businesses. This collaboration is more than just a product launch\u2014it\u2019s a celebration of heritage, innovation, and the power of collaboration.<\/p>\n

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Wedge\u2019s Staff Meal Recipes<\/h2>\n
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Speaking of food, pull up a seat to STAFF MEAL: 12 Recipes from the creative directors, designers, and team at Wedge<\/a>. Born out of a shared love for cooking, gathering, and all things food that comes from the best of hospitality, each recipe comes with a personal anecdote. \u201cFrom Justin\u2019s Tartare de Boeuf to Alon\u2019s Korean Stew to Cap\u2019s Cookies, there\u2019s something sweet and savory for everyone,\u201d said Sarah Di Domenico, Wedge\u2019s co-founder and chief creative officer.<\/p>\n

Bon App\u00e9tit!<\/p>\n

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Stout\u2019s Holiday Cards<\/h2>\n
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Every year, Stout<\/a> creates a special set of holiday cards for clients and friends of the studio\u2014a cherished tradition that brings delight and creative expression. Each edition takes on a fresh approach, shaped by intentional constraints such as dimensions and a defined color palette.<\/p>\n

Over the years, Stout\u2019s designs have ranged from intricate illustrations to bold, experimental concepts. This year, however, the studio embraced a different philosophy: simplicity and elegance. \u201cInspired by the timeless themes of Peace, Love, and Joy, the 2024 holiday cards embody a refined minimalism, allowing the message to take center stage,\u201d said designer Brigitte La.<\/p>\n

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CENTER\u2019s Circle C Blanket<\/h2>\n
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Each year, the CENTER<\/a> team creates a special item of custom merch as a gift for clients and collaborators. \u201cThough we\u2019ve had plenty of requests to sell these items,\u201d said Alex Center, founder and chief creative officer, \u201cwe prefer to keep them exclusive\u2014reserved for our close-knit \u201cfriends and family.\u201d<\/p>\n

For this annual winter tradition, the team has designed everything from sweatshirts and beanies to water bottles and t-shirts. For 2024, instead of something to wear, they created something to snuggle with and keep you warm during the winter chill.<\/p>\n

The 2024 CENTER Blanket is a bold design in orange, blue, black, and taupe, featuring a clever twist on the studio\u2019s Circle C logo. It\u2019s not your average branded merch though. Up close, it\u2019s an abstract pattern, worthy of a permanent spot on your couch or favorite chair.<\/p>\n

The color palette is a nod to the studio\u2019s signature couch and tables. The blankets are modeled and photographed by the team\u2014the familiar faces that bring the studio to life show us exactly how to rock the blanket with style.<\/p>\n

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High Tide\u2019s Palmy Candle <\/h2>\n
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The inspiration behind High Tide<\/a>\u2018s annual gift was to create an object that paid homage to our longstanding brand symbol and mascot (whom we affectionately refer to as Palmy). \u201cHigh Tide recently celebrated its 15-year anniversary,\u201d says Danny Miller, founder and creative director. \u201cSo it felt right to commemorate the moment with a physical manifestation of our brand symbol that people could enjoy as a candle or simply put up on their bookshelves.\u201d<\/p>\n

With a minimal and straightforward studio identity, Palmy was born out of the team\u2019s desire to represent the more fun, laid-back side of High Tide. The anthropomorphic palm also speaks to the studio\u2019s origin story: Miller was on a surf trip in Costa Rica during the studio\u2019s inception, and the name materialized in between long days of surfing.<\/p>\n

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Transport\u2019s Brass Oil Lamps<\/h2>\n
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Merry and bright? It takes a village.<\/p>\n

Partnering with industrial designer Joe Doucet, Transport New York<\/a> designed brass paraffin oil lamps to embody warm wishes for bright holidays. What is less obvious is the time and effort it took to make their idea a reality, something they started in 2023. Development, prototyping, and applying the team\u2019s signature attention to detail took, well, a bit longer. <\/p>\n

But it was worth it. The team always thinks big, and the gift invites the recipient to think big about what they can do together. <\/p>\n

Vintage Danish inspiration was only one point in the team\u2019s collaborative effort, down to the group packing and shipping party. \u201cFor us, it was a project in bringing Transport\u2019s esprit de corps to life,\u201d said Andy Gray, Transport\u2019s founder and creative director. \u201cIt\u2019s a sentiment we were sure to share in our message to recipients.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Clever Creative\u2019s Signature Scent<\/h2>\n
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As Clever Creative<\/a> approaches its 20th anniversary, the team wanted the studio\u2019s recent brand refresh to culminate in a meaningful, sensory-driven experience. This special mailer serves as the final touchpoint of that journey\u2014a way to reflect on the studio\u2019s roots while looking ahead to the future.<\/p>\n

What better way to celebrate than by creating a signature scent? \u201cWith Bonfire, we sought to deepen our brand\u2019s connection by engaging all five senses crafting an experience that lingers long after the first impression,\u201d said Shannon Gabor, founder. More than just a fragrance, Bonfire embodies the warmth, creativity, and spirit that have defined Clever Creative for two decades\u2014a truly memorable and immersive way to share their story with clients and collaborators.<\/p>\n

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ThoughtMatter<\/h2>\n
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