Starbucks Collaborates With Artist Damon Brown

Starbucks has revealed a special collection of cups made in collaboration with artist Damon Brown.

As a child, Damon Brown’s love for art blossomed through cartoons, superheroes, and Japanese anime. While his fascination for urban art grew, he began exploring the intricate world of color, shape, story, and texture. His deep passion for art drove him to study classic art and painting techniques in college. This knowledge allowed him to integrate animation, street art, and graphic design into a unique style that became his trademark.

Since his return home to Seattle after studying at Washington State University, Brown has left an indelible mark on the city’s art scene. His work ranges from grand public art projects to impactful brand packaging and designs. Notably, he created a mural for a Starbucks store in Seattle and designed a poster for the 50th anniversary of the company.

Brown’s artistic approach, which he calls “complex simplicity,” blends shapes and movement to stimulate the viewer’s imagination and personal interpretation. “It’s a magic I’ve developed over the years,” he said.

As part of the Starbucks Artist Collaboration Series, Brown’s art will be featured on special-edition drinkware that became available in participating Starbucks stores in the U.S. and Canada on Jan. 30. The designs reflect Brown’s inspiration from the idea of community. He purposely crafted the artwork to include the viewer’s perspective, making the art resonate with the sense of shared experience.

With a palette of soothing pale blue, green, and cream colors with a ’60s vibe, Brown delivers a contemporary twist on the traditional red, black, and green often seen in Black art or during Black History Month.

Three pieces of drinkware, each bearing Brown’s brand name “Creative Lou,” will exhibit his modern sensibilities. The 24-ounce cold cup depicts two people almost holding hands, with ambiguous geometric shapes in the background. Another design for a 16-ounce stainless steel tumbler and 24-ounce cold cup portrays two people walking toward each other, punctuated with bright red accents.

Through his collaboration, Brown aims to offer something more: art that is not just appreciated for one month but celebrated every day. This aligns seamlessly with the Starbucks Artist Collaboration Series’ mission to elevate Black voices all year round and Starbucks’ commitment to celebrating Black History Month by acknowledging the achievements and contributions of Black Americans.

Starbucks is also proud to support national organizations committed to issues important to the Black community, such as the African American Mayors Association, National Forum for Black Public Administrators, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, and National Urban League. Reinforcing this commitment, The Starbucks Foundation supports youth-focused programs that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion. Last year, through the Starbucks Foundation’s Neighborhood Grants program, nearly $1.7 million was awarded to over 1,000 nonprofits across North America.