Starbucks is launching its new artist collaboration program with a colorful first collaboration with Tim Singleton, arriving at Starbucks stores in the US and Canada starting May 30. The project celebrates the voices and stories of artists from around the world. Starbucks stores.
When asked to describe the vibrant palette he chose for his new collaboration with Starbucks, Tim Singleton says, „It’s my favorite color — of all of them.” The Toronto-based artist and illustrator uses a mix of punchy cyan, magenta, vibrant pink, key lime green and citrus orange and iconography for the cheerful collection. „I always love that my work puts smiles on people’s faces.”
The new Starbucks drinkware collaboration with Singleton arrives at Starbucks stores in the US and Canada on May 30. The collection is the first through the Starbucks Artist Collaborative Program. The world through uniquely curated merchandise in Starbucks stores.
„A lot of the work I do focuses on queerness and how it’s inspired me — being a queer person and gay and how I interact with the world,” he said.
Singleton’s collection is a mish-mash of pop culture, queer culture and nostalgia with bold visuals and rainbow-bright colors. „It’s really a story of self-expression and the relentless freedom to express yourself how you want, and there’s not really a right way to do it,” Singleton said.
Designed exclusively for Starbucks, the drinkware collection includes two 24-ounce (Vendi) plastic cooler cups with glitter artwork and a 16-ounce stainless steel tumbler.
Glitter Cool Cup
This 24-ounce double-walled plastic cooler cup has it all: color, glitter, holofoil, flowers, and a hand making a peace sign holding a heart. The swirling design goes all the way to straw with a final swoop of cyan and magenta. „The peace sign is iconic and easy to interpret immediately,” Singleton said. „At the end of the day, we all want a little peace.”
Gradient Grid Cool Cup
The rainbow gradient of this 24-ounce cold cup evokes a sunrise, blending delicately with an overlay of graphic geometric grid treatments ranging from cyan to magenta to citrus. „A beautiful metaphor for queerness is combining colors,” Singleton said. „Putting a color next to another color that you wouldn’t think would go together—and then it goes together beautifully.”
Stainless steel tumbler
Singleton’s 16-ounce stainless steel tumbler features a hand holding a rainbow fan, while eyeballs, stars and other symbols float into view. Singleton said, „I love the fan’s connection to the queer scene — you see them at drag shows and Pride events. Hearing that fan’s loud applause [by a group] Together it speaks to the sense of joy and freedom and the sense of community you have when everyone is doing it in sync. It was one of those beautiful, harmonious moments.
Creating a culture of inclusion
Starbucks strives to create a culture of inclusion and is a proud partner of the LGBTQIA2+ community, affirming every way people choose to identify. Starbucks has a long history of supporting its LGBTQIA2+ partners and communities, from offering broad healthcare coverage to practices and services that support gender affirmation.
Learn more about how the Starbucks Foundation is improving communities around the world. With more than $20 million invested in communities around the world last year, the Starbucks Foundation works with Starbucks partners (employees) and others to support nonprofits with a shared commitment and hope for stronger, more equitable communities.