Applied Design and Sound Color Story Celebrate Grand Central’s Reputation as the Most Beloved Train Station

For the 2024 holiday season, Applied Design and Sound Color Story partnered to create an exclusive line of MTA officially licensed Grand Central Terminal Merchandise and a pop-up shop concept, The Grand Gift Shop, celebrating Grand Central’s reputation as the most beloved train station in the world. The resulting capsule collection of products matches the boldness, energy, and attitude of NYC and Grand Central. As Grand Central Terminal’s creative agency of record, Applied Design drew inspiration from GCT’s landmark and storied heritage to design beautiful branded objects and everyday items that appeal not only to tourists but also as must-have items for New Yorkers and locals alike.

This collection is perfect for anyone who holds the Big Apple close to their heart and wants a memorable gift for a loved one—or a treat for themselves. The capsule collection launched on November 11th at The Grand Gift Shop as part of the Grand Central Holiday Fair located in Vanderbilt Hall, and includes custom Grand Central 1000-piece jigsaw puzzles, playing cards, luggage tags, bandanas, Carhartt beanies, Yeti tumblers, and Baggu totes as well as co-branded GCT tenant collabs with Damselfly Flowers and Neuhaus Chocolates.

The tote bag, with a sleek black background, showcases Grand Central in elegant white embroidery, with '42ND & PARK' stitched below.  The jigsaw puzzle captures the beauty of Grand Central Terminal with the message 'Make EveryDay Grand,' featuring rich shades of blue and gold throughout. The playing cards feature an elegant gold foil on the front and back of the box, plus astrological details from GCT’s world-renowned celestial ceiling on the face cards. Complimentary gift wrap featuring custom designs exclusive to the Grand Gift Shop (not for sale!) rounds out the pop-up shop, provided to shoppers who purchase an item from the capsule collection or any Grand Central or Holiday Fair retailer now through Christmas Event. In addition to the Grand Central capsule collection at The Grand Gift Shop, Applied Design and Sound Color Story partnered to bring a new look to the Grand Central Holiday Fair branding for the 2024 edition of the annual shopping event. The design of this year’s Grand Central Holiday Fair branding beautifully combines historic charm with festive elegance, enhancing Vanderbilt Hall’s warm, inviting shopping experience. The Grand Central Holiday Fair is now open and will run for six festive weeks, through December 24th.

"The holiday season in New York City is all about bringing people together through cherished traditions, and shopping in the city is certainly one of them,” said Brad Scott, founder and principal at Applied Design. “As a New York City-based company, we were thrilled to capture the essence of the city and design gifts that people can treasure for a lifetime.”

“The 2024 Holiday Fair branding and capsule collection of merchandise at The Grand Gift Shop embodies Grand Central Terminal’s commitment to thoughtful design. Every element is intended to celebrate the season and capture the optimistic spirit of Grand Central as a world-recognized centre of transportation, civic architecture, and commerce.” said Helen Twingley, founder and principal at Sound Color Story.