Tag Archives: pens

Beyond the Basics: Top 10 Cutting-Edge Trends in Stationery Design

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Stationery remains essential, adapting to global trends like sustainability, and minimalism, and bridging the gap between digital and analog domains. With technological advancements, stationery for school and office settings is progressing towards smarter, sustainable products, transforming traditional items into symbols of productivity and creativity. This transformation underscores a fusion of innovation and timeless design, enhancing how students approach their studies and how office workers manage their tasks efficiently.

Explore the transformative trends shaping the future landscape of stationery, traditional office supplies, and educational tools.

Designer: Playfool

1. Using Recycled Materials

Wood is typically associated with brown, but different tree species produce various colors. In Japan, Forest Crayons uses pigments from recycled forest trees to create crayons, mixed with wood, rice wax, and rice oil. Each color, such as the magnolia’s light green or fungus-stained wood’s deep turquoise, reflects the tree species and growth conditions. The set includes ten colors: Bayberry, Bogwood, Cedar, Chinaberry, Cypress, Hazenoki, Katsura, Kaizuka, Magnolia, and Zelkova. This project, endorsed by the Japanese Forest Agency, promotes a renewed appreciation for Japan’s forests.

2. Zen Aesthetics

Designer: Jacopo Drago (Zenical)

Pens usually signify productivity and creativity, but the Zen Pen, a unique Japanese-made writing instrument, aims to evoke calm through its design and texture. Inspired by Zen gardens, it features 3D-printed grooves and an off-center, smooth clip, mimicking the sand and stone elements. Crafted by skilled Japanese artisans using modern 3D printing and milling, the Zen Pen provides a soothing tactile experience, promoting mindfulness and tranquility. This makes it an ideal tool for students, helping them stay focused and calm while writing and studying in a school environment.

3. Ergonomic Design

Designer: orangered life

The 25° Ruler sets new standards in precision and durability, crafted from aerospace-grade aluminum and featuring laser-engraved markings for long-lasting accuracy. Available in sizes ranging from 6 to 20 inches and various vibrant colors, its ergonomic 25° angle enhances usability by placing measurements conveniently along the bottom edge. A teardrop design ensures safety and ease of use, while dual-sided markings cater to metric and imperial units, starting from zero to ensure precise measurements.

4. Bold Colors

Designers: YoonJeong Lee, Hyobin Jeon, and yerin An

Royi Stationery offers innovative supplies that tell stories of honesty and introspection. Their transparent staplers and hard disks prompt reflection on deeper values, inspired by timeless narratives like the tale of the naked king. These products encourage a meaningful connection with stationery tools, inviting users to see beyond surface appearances and appreciate the wisdom embedded in everyday objects.

5. Harmonizing Digital and Analog

Designer: Cortex

The Sidekick Notepad blends digital efficiency with analog charm, ideal for users who embrace a digital-analog hybrid workflow. Featuring 60 tear-away pages of Munken Lynx paper and a cover made from recycled coffee cups, it includes sections for notes, to-do lists with checkboxes, and a date section. Perfect for quick note-taking during meetings or daily tasks, it offers practicality and sustainability in one compact design.

Designer: Nuwa Innovation

The Nuwa Pen is an AI-powered ballpoint that bridges the gap between handwritten charm and digital efficiency. This innovative pen uses a TRIDENT imaging system and AI to effortlessly convert your scribbles on any paper into searchable digital notes. With 2GB of built-in memory, rapid charging, and compatibility with the Nuwa Pen App for cloud storage, it ensures your ideas are always accessible and organized. Ideal for those who value both the tactile joy of writing and the practicality of digital tools, the Nuwa Pen redefines note-taking versatility.

6. Minimalist Design

Designers: Christoph Bohrer, Martin Wagner and Yang Han

Introducing the stilform FLOW: an award-winning ballpoint pen that merges elegance with innovation. Its magnetic cap retracts the refill with a satisfying click, offering a unique fidget feature. Available in aluminum, brass, or titanium, each variant boasts a sleek, durable design ideal for a luxurious writing experience. The FLOW utilizes recycled materials and is refillable, ensuring longevity while reducing environmental impact. Perfect for those who appreciate fine craftsmanship and functional beauty in their everyday writing tools.

7. Nature-Inspired Design

Designers: Gahnghyun Yi, Jiwon Lee, Chaeyeon Ha

Transform your workspace with nature-inspired accessory designs that merge functionality with aesthetic appeal. The Greenery Pencil Holder mimics bamboo stems with a curved plate for storing pens and pencils. The Greenery Clock features an abstract, leaf-shaped digital display and a flat surface for small items. The Greenery Tray offers horizontal “leaves” for storage and key rings, while the Greenery Cable Holder simplifies cable management with leaf-like circles. These designs bring a touch of greenery to your desk, enhancing both organization and visual appeal.

8. Quirky Design

Designer: Seung-Wan Nam

The Bloomstick pen concept is a symbolic tool for journaling dreams comprising of a silicone-covered button that blooms like a flower when pressed, it merges functionality with a decorative touch. Available in green, blue, and pink, this pen adds a whimsical flair to your writing experience. Ideal for collectors and stationery enthusiasts alike, it transforms from a conventional pen into a visually appealing piece that inspires creativity and captures the essence of dreaming.

Designer: LEGO

The Star Lord Helmet by LEGO is a functional and visually stunning addition to their Infinity Saga series. Standing 7 inches tall with 602 pieces, it faithfully recreates the iconic headgear from Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. Ideal for ages 18 and up, it features intricate details like red-tinted eyepieces and lifelike breathing valves. Beyond its collectible appeal, this build serves as a practical stationery holder and pen stand, offering storage for essentials in its hollow interior.

Designer: Nikken Cutlery

Click Here to Buy Now: $25

These Seki Sound scissors are more than just tools—they’re a playful homage to iconic electric guitars. Inspired by precision craftsmanship from Seki, Japan, renowned for cutlery excellence, they feature authentic details like guitar strings and frets. Designed to cut through paper, vinyl, and tape effortlessly, they’re as sharp as they are stylish, with a protective cap that doubles as a guitar head. Perfect for adding a touch of creativity and functionality to your workspace, these scissors are a must-have for design enthusiasts and music lovers alike.

9. Multifunctional Design

Designer: Pelin Özbalcı

The sPINmemo lamp reimagines traditional lighting with its innovative design that combines practicality and personalization. Featuring a rotating cork body for pinning notes and photos, this lamp promotes creativity and organization while offering storage space on its ceramic head. Crafted for both functionality and aesthetic appeal, it ensures optimal illumination and blends seamlessly into any workspace or living area. Ideal for those who value minimalism and versatile home decor solutions, the sPINmemo lamp enhances both lighting and personal expression.

10. Modular Design

Designer: Wonjun Jo

This innovative highlighter draws inspiration from East Asia’s train systems, featuring a modular design reminiscent of train cars. Each segment serves as a different color highlighter, allowing for easy interchangeability and reducing the need for multiple units. Its ergonomic shape and sustainable potential, including refillable cartridges, set it apart in stationery design. LINE’s creative approach not only enhances functionality but also offers a fresh and enjoyable user experience, bridging utility with a playful modular design inspired by transit systems.

Designer: Burcu Nehir Tum

The MEMORABLE picture frame integrates a sophisticated marble design with modular functionality, featuring a unique rail system. This allows users to attach various modules like a pen holder, small vase, or note holder, enhancing both organization and personalization in your workspace. Crafted for durability and aesthetic appeal, MEMORABLE blends timeless elegance with practical modular design, making it ideal for displaying cherished memories while doubling as versatile desk storage.

The stationery landscape is transforming into a vibrant blend of sustainability, innovation, and artistic expression, revolutionizing how we approach work, study, and creative assignments.

The post Beyond the Basics: Top 10 Cutting-Edge Trends in Stationery Design first appeared on Yanko Design.

Top 10 Stationery & Craft Supplies To Create The DIY Halloween Decor & Costume Of Your Nightmares

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Spooky season is around the corner, and Halloween is soon approaching. It’s that time of the year when you let your creative juices flow, and craft the perfect costume for 31st October, while also converting your house into a spooktacular haven. If you’re an experienced DIY-er or someone looking to get their hands dirty this Halloween season, you will need the right set of stationery and craft supplies to bring your scary ideas to life. We’ve curated a collection of stationery and craft supplies to help you create the Halloween decor and costume of your nightmares! You can realize your haunted visions with a few functional and nifty tools and products.

1. Cut & Slice Scissors

Named the Cut & Slice Scissors, this nifty EDC is equipped with a sliding mechanism that pushes one of the blades ahead, forming a box cutter, and ensuring your cutting experience is smooth and seamless. You don’t need to use two different pieces of equipment to get your work done. It is an excellent option to prep your Halloween costumes and decor with, as it makes cutting an easy part of your process.

Click Here to Buy Now: $29

Why is it noteworthy?

It features an easy-to-use sliding mechanism which makes using the cutter functional, and safe to store when not needed. You can use the scissors handle as a blade handle, providing it an ergonomic twist, which makes it truly unique.

What we like

  • Features a unique form with drop-shaped handles in transparent resin
  • The blades are coated with fluorine to prevent sticky residue from building up

What we dislike

  • The blade is not easy to replace

2. Pen Fan

Named the Pen Fan, this one-of-a-kind stationery design is a mix between a Pantone shade card and a stationery set. It features 8 flat-head sketch pens, making it a real lifesaver when you’re creating something. You can use the fan to add color to your interesting Halloween decor or costumes.

Why is it noteworthy?

The pens are connected, creating a cute little Japanese-fan-style layout that displays the eight colors. You can pick and choose the color you like. The pens are detachable, and you can snap them on and off, creating a palette to make your ideal Halloween costume.

What we like

  • Portable set that you can carry with you
  • The pens cannot be easily misplaced or lost, since they are connected

What we dislike

  • Consists of 8 color options, which can be a bit limiting for users who prefer a wide variety of colors

3. Craftmaster EDC Utility Knife

Dubbed the Craftmaster EDC Utility Knife, this EDC knife is like an everyday paper cutter, but more functional. It has an all-metal body, and textured knob that allows you to easily deploy and lock the blade. The handle is quite grippy and weighted, which makes holding it an easy task. This knife is a boon for cutting through different materials such as paper or cardboard, that you maybe using to create some Halloween decor.

Click Here to Buy Now: $79.00

Why is it noteworthy?

The knife is blessed with simple and sophisticated aesthetics and a CNC-machined handle. It has an enclosed blade that has been machined for perfection. Since the blade is enclosed, it glides with smoothness, and no hassle at all, offering you a seamless experience.

What we like

  • It features a 45° slant to help you open boxes with ease
  • Equipped with a  metal scale, making it a multifunctional design

What we dislike

  • It features a magnetic back, which can attract small metal bits

4. Mr. Carve M3

Say hello to the Mr.Carve M3 – it is designed to engrave or cut virtually anything – ranging from jewelry and stationery to plastic, metal, and glass. So, if you’re looking to create your own Halloween costume and decor, you can use this innovative engraver to add some neat and unique touches!

Why is it noteworthy?

The engraver features swappable infrared(red) and blue laser heads which allow you to work on any material you like – glass, paper, or even metal. It is equipped with a working area that is 10 times larger than any material you can think of. It has its software which includes LightBurn or LaserGRBL.

What we like

  • Equipped with a powerful air filtration system that provides engraving comfort and protection

What we dislike

  • It is a bulky product, which will occupy substantial space in your home

5. Everlasting All-Metal Pencil

When you’re creating something, you always need a trusty pencil, and you probably want to add the Everlasting Metal Pencil to your craft supplies. The innovative pencil has a tip that doesn’t need to be sharpened or replaced. With the Everlasting Metal Pencil, you can fully focus on the tasks at hand, that is creating the perfect Halloween decor, instead of the lead.

Click Here to Buy Now: $19.95

Why is it noteworthy?

The pencil’s shaft is octagonal and is made from aluminum. It houses a special alloy core. The pencil doesn’t leave any heavy grooves on the paper, and it draws like a real pencil, making the experience a seamless one.

What we like

  • Equipped with a metal core instead of clay or charcoal

What we dislike

  • If you want to use smudging techniques for your Halloween costume or decor, then this pencil isn’t the right fit for you

6. Chameleon Color Tops

Say hello to the Chameleon Color Tops – these pens are a whole new way to blend color. You can create simple and seamless color-to-color blends, and the pen does all the blending for you. You can use them in a bunch of different ways, you can blend the color from dark to light, from light to dark, or you can even blend opposite colors.

Why is it noteworthy?

If you’re in the mood to make a colorful and unique Halloween costume or some decor, then these color tops will help you achieve the different vibrant looks you’re going for. There are 50 pens, and you can create 1225 possible color combinations, truly giving you a chance to be creative.

What we like

  • You can create 1225 color combinations

What we dislike

  • Marker pens are not suitable for some materials or styles

7. Effortless Standing Letter Cutter

Named the Effortless Standing Letter Cutter, this handy stationery item is a simple yet functional tool that can help you with a bunch of activities. Besides cutting letters open, it also functions as a paperweight and can be used to slice through different shapes and forms of paper. Besides using it to cut open papers, you can use the sleek little product to prevent your different materials and papers from flying away, while you’re busy making your Halloween costume or decor.

Click Here to Buy Now: $49

Why is it noteworthy?

This unique product takes the typical letter cutter and converts it into something new and unique. It can cut through paper efficiently and effectively, ensuring no mess is made.

What we like

  • The cutter opens letters accurately, leaving nothing behind
  • Doubles up as a paperweight, ensuring a tidy desk

What we dislike

  • Doesnt work well with complex mail or heavy packages

8. Clamp Tape

When you’re creating your own funky Halloween costume, your saver is always some good old tape. And this product called the ClampTape, is a unique and whimsical tape dispenser by Peleg. It keeps some tape always handy for you. It has an innovative clothespin-inspired design that easily clamps onto the tabletop surface.

Why is it noteworthy?

The ClampTape is an ingenious design since it merges emotional design with problem-solving abilities. It is made from bent sheet metal and has a rubber/polymer sleeve wrapped around the clamping jaws, ensuring no damage is caused to your table.

What we like

  • Features a roll of tape
  • Provides a whimsical twist to an ordinary stationery item

What we dislike

  • The clamp isn’t very wide, so may not be able to hold onto all kinds of tables or horizontal surfaces

9. 25° Ruler

Say hello to the 25° Ruler, a ruler that will make all the other rules out there seem mundane and ordinary. The ruler is amped with small changes that offer big benefits. It is a must-have for those who want the accuracy of every millimeter, especially if they’re creating Halloween decor for some particular room with its specific measurements.

Why is it noteworthy?

The positioning of the measurement of the marks is at the bottom edge, which chances usability. This ensures that you don’t need to lean forward to read the markings, ensuring the ruler is comfortable to use and that the readings taken are accurate and precise.

What we like

  • The ruler is easy to pick up from smooth surfaces like a table
  • Clear and large fonts make the ruler easy to read

What we dislike

  • It is a niche tool, rather than a comprehensive measuring tool suitable for all

10. Colored Pencil Holder

If you’re someone who uses colored pencils to add tints of subtle color to their Halloween decor and costumes, then you may want to consider purchasing this wooden colored pencils holder by Bond Art Studio. The pencil holder displays your colored pencils while you sketch, color, or draw, ensuring you have easy access to them, and letting you pick your favorite color smoothly.

Why is it noteworthy?

It features a sweeping shape, which displays your color collection openly, allowing you to choose a new shade with ease. The pencils have been minimally spaced, ensuring the product is organized and quite compact. It will not occupy much space on your desk.

What we like

  • It features a section where you can place your eraser, sharpener, brushes, etc

What we dislike

  • Not suited for artists who need a wider variety of colors to work with

The post Top 10 Stationery & Craft Supplies To Create The DIY Halloween Decor & Costume Of Your Nightmares first appeared on Yanko Design.

Zen garden pen brings a visual and tactile way to inspire mindfulness

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Pens, regardless of design, are almost always associated with productivity and creativity, in other words, activity. While you can use the writing instrument to clear your head and achieve a state of calm, that’s only after you’ve actively used it. Rarely does a pen by its mere appearance actually take you to that state, but that is exactly what this unique-looking pen tries to accomplish. Using not only visuals but also texture, this Japanese-made pen aims to help you become mindful of the present, even if only for a moment, taking inspiration from the easily distinguishable composition of a Zen garden, sand and stone and all.

Designer: Jacopo Drago (Zenical)

It’s almost miraculous how a dry landscape and a meticulous arrangement of stone in gravel or sand can nudge the mind into a meditative state. That, however, is the magic and science that Zen Buddhist monks have discovered and developed over centuries, combining contrasting elements, minimalist arrangements, and natural elements to design a space meant to inspire calm and maybe clear a few cobwebs inside the brain. The stillness of the rock standing amid the thin lines of movement drawn on gravel around it, the smoothness of the pebbles contrasting with the coarseness of the sand, and the presence of living trees or shrubs standing defiant on lifeless ground, all these elements work in harmony to take the mind for a peaceful journey.

These rock gardens have become so popular that a few people have miniature Zen gardens on shelves or even their desks, but they can neither take these with them wherever they go nor always have them available when they need to. The Zen Pen tries to bring that same experience to an even smaller scale by recreating the key elements of a Zen garden in a way that you can see and feel in your hand. A part of that is clearly seen in the 3D-printed grooves that snake around the barrel and the cap, easily reminiscent of the thin lines and circles drawn on a rock garden.

It doesn’t stop there, however. The clip, which is often regarded as a utilitarian element, also contributes to the composition. Its smooth, oval shape is like one of those rocks or pebbles lying on the gravel, and you can see the typical circles radiating from its position. That position is actually off-center, doubling down on the contrasting themes of balance and asymmetry associated with Zen gardens.

The Zen Pen isn’t just a visual treat but also a tactile one, thanks to the handiwork of skilled Japanese craftsmen utilizing modern technologies like 3D printing and milling. While the grip near the nib is smooth and plain in order to be comfortable to hold, the rest of the barrel and the cap feature this textured surface that delights the fingertips. And as many variations of fidget toys have proven, mindlessly stimulating those fingers, even just by gliding over those grooves, can also help stimulate the mind.

The post Zen garden pen brings a visual and tactile way to inspire mindfulness first appeared on Yanko Design.

This ultra-minimalist pen stand makes your writing partner the center of attention

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We all have our favorite writing instruments, be it an heirloom fountain pen or even a number 2 pencil. You’ll probably just stuff the latter in drawers or leave them strewn on your desk, but the pen that has been with you for years is something you’ll probably want to show off while keeping it within easy reach. Pen stands exist for that exact purpose, but some of them try to compete with the pen for attention. They have extravagant and luxurious designs that defeat the intention of putting your favorite pen on a pedestal. That’s the trap that this tiny pen stand tries to avoid by practically removing all non-essential features that prevent you from showing off your trusty writing partner.

Designer: Kairi Eguchi

Click Here to Buy Now: $35 $39 (10% off at checkout). Hurry, deal ends in 24 hours!

What stand could be simpler than an upright cylinder with a whole in the middle that’s just enough to fit a single pen? After all, a pen stand’s purpose is to hold the writing tool for easy access while showing it off when not in use. Anything else is just excess and waste that burdens the product both visually and functionally. That’s the kind of minimalist design that this small and simple stand embraces, but that doesn’t mean it’s a plain and boring desk accessory. In fact, it is ironically one of the most beautiful pen stands around, especially if you favor minimalist designs.

Your eyes will be immediately drawn to the stand’s diminutive size. At only 52.5mm (around 2 inches) tall, it has just enough space to hold a small portion of the pen, leaving the majority of the barrel unobstructed and free for everyone to behold. Despite its small size, however, the stand is able to, well, stand without tipping over due to the weight of the pen. In fact, the stand itself tilts a little bit to one side, an intentional design that makes it easier to pull out the pen quickly when you need to jot something down.

The trick to the Centroid Stand’s unbelievable feat is in its construction, which also accounts for its two-tone color finish. The top half of the stand is made from polished aluminum which gives it a stylish luster, while the lower half is made from heavier copper that shifts the center of gravity lower, making it more stable regardless of its tilt or the weight of the pen that it holds. These two dissimilar materials, joined together using a friction welding process, give the stand a rather distinct flavor, one that is both playful and elegant at the same time. Copper also develops a unique patina over time, adding to the stand’s character as it grows old with you.

Showcase your Everlasting All-Metal Pencil with the ultimate stand.

Beautiful in its simplicity and ingenious in its functionality, this ultra-minimalist pen stand offers a perfect view of the writing instrument that it holds. Due to its minimalist design, it is the perfect complement to equally minimalist pen designs, such as the Everlasting All-Metal Pencil that will last as long as this unconventional stand. It is a glowing example of how simple designs, when done right, can exude a kind of beauty that gently draws your eyes without distracting from the attention that your favorite pen or pencil rightfully deserves.

Click Here to Buy Now: $19.95.

The post This ultra-minimalist pen stand makes your writing partner the center of attention first appeared on Yanko Design.

Pen blooms when pressed as you write down your dreams

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While I’m basically a digital person, I turn analog when it comes to my journaling habit. This means I have a lot of tools like notebooks, stickers, washi tapes, and other ephemera to help me journal. But probably my most important “weapons” are my pens. As someone who likes colorful things, I collect different colored (both ink and the pen’s actual color) pens that I can use when I write in my various journals. So whenever I see a new kind of pen, whether it’s the design or the features, I pay attention.

Designer: Seung-Wan Nam

This concept for a pen called Bloomstick is based on the idea that writing down your dreams is an important part in making them come true. So the pen can metaphorically help your dreams to “bloom like flowers” when you write them down on paper using it. The tagline of the product is “click to bloom your dream”. It is basically a pen with a silicone-covered button that when you press it opens to a flower-like shape and turns it into a blooming instrument.

The product renders show different colors available for the pens like green, blue, and pink. The flower part of the pen is white while the “bud” part seems to be of a different color that matches the main, silicone part of the pen. When closed, it looks like just any ordinary pen and you’ll still be able to use it of course but it’s without its blooming design. There doesn’t seem to be any other function that it can do aside from write and look pretty.

As someone who collects pens and who likes flowery, pretty things, this is something I’d probably buy if I see it in a stationery store. Now if it can actually make my handwriting look nicer or make my dreams come true, I’d order it as soon as it hits the market.

The post Pen blooms when pressed as you write down your dreams first appeared on Yanko Design.

How this AI-powered ballpoint pen brings the joy of analog writing to the digital world

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The pen is mightier than the sword, and that aphorism remains true even in this highly digital age. In fact, there has been a renaissance of interest and even passion for handwritten notes, giving birth to a myriad of paper-based productivity systems and beautiful notebooks, as seen on YouTube. Unfortunately, it’s also hard to deny the advantages and conveniences of digital notes, particularly in terms of organization and searching. Fortunately, there is no longer any need to choose between the two when you can have the best of both worlds thanks to this innovative AI-powered ballpoint pen that turns your handwritten scribbles into digital notes, whether you’re writing on craft paper or on the back of an envelope.

Designer: Nuwa Innovation

Click Here to Buy Now: $234 $360 (35% off). Hurry, only 237 left! Raised over $150,000.

There is a certain appeal to the age-old art of writing things by hand, not to mention the cognitive and psychological benefits that the practice brings. Unfortunately, it’s also no longer possible to ignore the drawbacks of paper notes, especially ones that get lost or are hard to decipher months or even just weeks later. There are quite a few products trying to bridge the gap between analog and digital, but these often require the use of special paper that doesn’t feel like paper, special pens that may be discontinued in the unforeseen future, or both.

The Nuwa Pen is a revolutionary solution that approaches the problem from a different angle. You can use your favorite stationery or grab any piece of paper within reach, and standard D1 ballpoint refills are never going away. Instead, the Nuwa Pen employs an innovative TRIDENT imaging system to see what you’re writing and harnesses the power of AI to digitize those ink marks that can be saved to a digital file. The result is complete freedom to write what you want on whatever kind of paper you want, confident that you’ll be able to easily search through them as if you had typed the notes directly.

Searchable Notes: Keep track of your notes

Text Conversion: Exact copy of your notes

Augmented Notes: Stay connected

This AI-powered Ballpoint Pen, however, does more than just digitize your handwritten notes. Although the pen itself has 2Gb of built-in memory, you can also send your notes to the Nuwa Pen App for unlimited cloud storage. And with the Nuwa Pen+ subscription, you’ll be able to convert your scribbles into searchable text and, soon, connect those notes with over a hundred apps, including Google Calendar, Todoist, emails, and more. With its built-in battery, you can write non-stop for 2 hours before needing to charge the Nuwa Pen in just 15 minutes. The included charging case lets you do that five more times, giving you nearly unlimited freedom to put your thoughts on paper and, in the long run, on the cloud.

Starting at $234, not only do you get the well-designed ballpoint pen and its charging case, you also get a one-year Nuwa Pen+ subscription. With the AI-powered Nuwa Pen, you no longer have to choose between the joys of writing and the conveniences of digital notes. Write on your favorite paper, digitize your notes, and sync with the cloud to let your thoughts and ideas take you to new heights and new worlds.

Click Here to Buy Now: $234 $360 (35% off). Hurry, only 237 left! Raised over $150,000.

The post How this AI-powered ballpoint pen brings the joy of analog writing to the digital world first appeared on Yanko Design.

This toy-like modular highlighter is inspired by the flexibility of subway trains

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We’ve seen dozens, if not hundreds, of designs for pens so far, but these are not the only writing instruments you will have on your desk or inside your drawers. Although some might balk at the idea of leaving permanent marks on a book, highlighting text in documents or notes isn’t an uncommon practice to help zero in on important points. Compared to pens, highlighters don’t get as much attention or love, which almost suggests that there’s no room for improvement or creativity with their design. That’s not the case, of course, but it might require a little more outside-the-box thinking to get something that’s interesting and useful at the same time. Fortunately, there are designers that have taken up that challenge, and this fun-looking highlighter definitely checks those boxes and might even have the potential to be a sustainable design as well.

Designer: Wonjun Jo

Different countries have different train systems, some arguably better than others. Countries in East Asia, like South Korea and Japan, are known for color-coded lines that easily tell where a particular train is going, at least once you’ve memorized which color is assigned to which line. There’s an analogy there in how we also assign different meanings to different colors when we highlight books or notes, with similar colors forming a distinct line of thought or topic. It’s no coincidence, then, that this highlighter design gets its inspiration from Korea’s subway trains, but the way it implements this inspiration goes far beyond just color.

For one, the highlighter is shaped like a train, with the first or front car serving as the cap. A rectangular block like this might be the most ergonomic shape for a pen, but a highlighter can get away with it because you don’t use it for long periods of time. Unlike a real-world train that travels along a single colored line only, the highlighter has removable segments of different colors designed as individual train carts or carriages. And just like a real train, these pieces can be separated and rearranged as needed.

What this means is that you don’t need to have a different highlighter for a different color and only need to move the appropriate card to the front. The design doesn’t explicitly mention it, but there seems to be room to refill the “carts” or even replace the tips. In other words, you’ll only need one highlighter and one highlighter only, making the design more sustainable than regular highlighters, especially single-use highlighters.

The train inspiration can be seen even in the packaging, which mimics design cues from train maps and transit cards. LINE definitely gives this oft-ignored tool a refreshing and enjoyable design, highlighting how there can be plenty of opportunities to improve its experience.

The post This toy-like modular highlighter is inspired by the flexibility of subway trains first appeared on Yanko Design.

Top 10 Japanese Designs Gift Guide that delivers maximum impact with their sleek minimalistic design

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Just because life can be complicated doesn’t mean your tools have to be. Sure we all want products with plenty of features, but many of those only give rise to more problems and add stress to our already burdened minds. That also presumes that simple things can’t be powerful when reality can sometimes be the exact opposite. These products, for example, embody the Japanese philosophy of minimalism to deliver the exact features that you need for a task without getting in the way. As it turns out, they also make for the perfect gift ideas for anyone who is in need of simple, beautiful, and meaningful solutions to life’s complexities, whether for others or even for yourself.

1. Levitating Pen 3.0

Nothing grabs the attention and sparks the imagination better than something that seems to defy the very laws of physics and reality, like this gravity-defying pen. Designed like a space rocket suspended in mid-air, this levitating pen uses not magic but the science of magnets to keep the pen afloat in the middle of a stand that is reminiscent of a space station. And, of course, it’s also a finely crafted writing tool that feels great in your hand and lets the ink flow effortlessly on paper. Let your creativity fly and launch your productivity to the next level with this mind-blowing piece of science on your desk.

Click Here to Buy Now: $101 $119 (15% off at checkout). Hurry, sitewide last-minute Christmas sale ends in 24 hours!

2. Frame CD Player

Ever wished your old audio CD collection could have a little pizzazz when you play them? Why not make their album art pop up like on today’s music apps? This beautiful minimalist CD player also doubles as a photo frame so that you can insert a CD’s jacket cover while you play your favorite tunes. As a portable wireless player, you can bring it with you anywhere or even hang it on a wall to have an eye-catching decor whether you’re playing something or not. Give your beloved CDs a modern touch and enjoy both the audio as well as the visual experience as they were meant to be: together.

Click Here to Buy Now: $127 $149 (15% off at checkout). Hurry, sitewide last-minute Christmas sale ends in 24 hours!

3. Bookish Bookmark

Keeping a book open on the page you’re reading should be a simple thing, but the laws of physics and the very design of books seem to thwart our intentions. Rather than resorting to awkward or even potentially damaging solutions, why not give this unique bookmark a go instead. Shaped like a book, this book on a book bookmark helps keep any book open, whatever the size, without forcing it flat and damaging the binding. And because of its transparent acrylic material, you can keep on reading even while your hands are busy with something else. Perfect for reading cookbooks in the kitchen or having a sip of coffee while continuing to read that page-turning novel.

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4. Effortless Standing Letter Cutter

Some letters bring excitement, while others bring dread. Either way, opening these sealed envelopes often involves some stressful nudging or wasteful cutting. This simple yet innovative letter cutter, however, involves nothing more than sliding one edge of the envelope across the gap. This creates a precise incision that yields the letter’s contents and doesn’t leave any strips of paper you’d have to chase after. Easily opened to replace dull blades, this fine metal block also serves as a distinguished paperweight on your desk. Opening letters has never been easier.

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5. Rockstar Guitar Scissors

Inspiration strikes when you least expect it, so you might as well coax it your way with a tool that is designed to make you feel like an art virtuoso. Summon the muse of papercraft with scissors designed like the iconic Stratocaster electric guitar and shred through paper, vinyl, or tape like a rockstar. Made by craftsmen well versed in the art of making swords and cutlery, these shears aren’t just for show, but they do make for a head-turning desk decor when standing off to the side, ready for the next time your creativity needs a little push with the rhythmic melody of these snipping blades in action.

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6. Playful Palm Grater

Nobody said graters need to be uninspired sheets of metal that look so far removed from the pretty dish they’re garnishing. Thankfully, this palm-sized grater throws convention out the window to turn grating cheese, ginger, or what have you into a more gratifying experience. It easily fits on your palm for a more stable hold without dirtying your hand, and its unique paper-like form makes it a welcome presence on any dining table. No more waiting for a chef or host to add the garnish you want in the amount that you want, especially not with a cute kitchen tool that makes grating feel almost like a game.

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7. Key Holder Wakka

Never forget where your keys are ever again with a key holder that rewards you in a subtle yet addictive way every time you return it to its base. Whenever the key ring makes contact or leaves its wooden base, you get a crisp and satisfying tapping sound that will make you want to hear it again and again, encouraging you to return your keys where they belong. A strong neodymium magnet makes sure those keys don’t fall off and disappear on you. It also makes for an attractive wall decor thanks to its combination of fine wood and sharp metal materials. Create a calming and habit-forming ritual that will give you peace of mind knowing that your keys are always where they should be with this elegant acoustic key holder.

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8. Japanese Drawing Pad

Even in the age of computers and smartphones, nothing still beats the immediacy and simplicity of putting pen to paper. The act of writing by hand can be a calming exercise, but choosing the right paper or notebook can be stress-inducing. So why not just settle for a good ol’ pad of paper, especially one made from high-quality Japanese paper. Whether you’re scribbling notes or sketching ideas, this plain offers endless possibilities without the constraints of lines, grids, or other markings that dictate where you need to write. Let your mind wander to discover new ideas and your next big thing with this clean and durable Japanese paper pad.

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9. Door Chime Tori

Start your workday on a happy note and greet your guests with a smile with this charming door chime. Shaped like a cute little bird with tails that sing with the wind, the Tori door chime creates a lively atmosphere whether you’re leaving or going inside. The bird’s die-cast zinc body brings a durable yet handsome decoration for your door, while the aluminum tail “feathers” produce tranquil notes like a bird singing for joy. What better way to step out into the world for work or come back home after a hard day’s work than with a sweet, gentle tune to warm the heart.

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10. Portrait Paper Holder

Just like beautiful butterflies, our thoughts and ideas can be ephemeral and short-lived, not unless you write them down as soon as they come. Scrambling for pen and paper, however, thwarts those efforts, so this minimalist paper holder keeps both within easy reach. Designed to hold hundreds of sheets of A4 paper for easy free-form note-taking, this desk tool makes it easy to grab a piece, write on it, and maybe put it back for reviewing later. Its size and adjustable angle also make it ideal for holding reading materials so that you can read them at a glance. Its simple form also doesn’t get in the way of putting your thoughts on paper, removing any hurdle that would keep you from leading a productive and efficient life.

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The post Top 10 Japanese Designs Gift Guide that delivers maximum impact with their sleek minimalistic design first appeared on Yanko Design.

Lazlo is a handsome ballpoint pen that celebrates the joys of writing

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You don’t need complex mechanisms to elevate the ballpoint, as this innovative pen beautifully demonstrates.

It has almost been 85 years since the first ballpoint pen was revealed to the public and patented by inventor Lazlo Biro. Since then, the writing tool has become a staple of everyday life, making writing more accessible and more common. Unfortunately, the proliferation of cheap ballpoint pens has also made both the act and the tool more mundane, taking for granted one of the key accomplishments of human civilization. Every now and then, a new pen appears that reminds us of the unique experience of writing, and the Lazlo is one such instrument that brings back those feelings with a pen whose simplicity and beauty belie the ingenuity inside and the quality writing experience it delivers.

Designers: Odin Ardagh and Noah Bier of Makers Cabinet

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Many ballpoint pens today employ complex mechanisms and components in an attempt to make the writing experience more pleasurable. Unfortunately, it has the opposite effect of making the pen more prone to malfunctions and less likely to last a long time. Most of the time, making things simpler is actually the solution, and this pen named after the Father of Ballpoint applies that philosophy but with a special twist, literally and figuratively.

The Patent Pending Mechanism – Diametrically opposed neodymium magnets rotate bi-directionally to engage and disengage the cartridge to create an unparalleled crisp click.

The Lazlo pen utilizes a patent-pending dipole magnetic mechanism that extends or retracts the ballpoint with a simple twist of the knurled top of the pen. There are no springs involved, reducing the chances of the pen breaking due to wear and tear or broken parts. You still get a satisfying snap when you twist the cap, though, and some might even be tempted to use the pen as a makeshift fidget toy while letting ideas percolate in your head. The pen’s minimalist aesthetic makes it a good fit for any stationery or desk theme, but you still have a choice of materials and their corresponding weight. The anodized space-grade aluminum blends well with many laptops of the same hue and is the lighter option at only 40g. The precision-machined solid brass, on the other hand, has a bit of heft at 65g but ages gracefully with a patina over time. Whichever variant you choose, you are guaranteed a well-balanced tool that will feel comfortable and stable in your hand.

A Satisfying, Balanced Weight – The profile is marginally tapered, forming an elegant shape which is both comfortable in your hand and balanced in weight.

Longevity Tested to 80+ Years of Use.

Featuring Schmidt – The Schmidt MegaLine ballpoint refill is a highly sophisticated writing module based on a gas-pressurized system. This enables you to not only write upside down but also in the most extreme environmental conditions.

The Drop Stand.

Unlike most ballpoint pens, Lazlo is designed not just with durability and longevity in mind but also with sustainability. Its all-metal construction means that every part of the pen is recyclable. The steel clip that lets you conveniently carry the Lazlo pen in your front pocket is easily removable, and so is the front cap that gives easy access to the refill inside. It uses widely-available Schmidt MegaLine ballpoint refills, which utilize an innovative gas-pressurized system that lets you write even upside-down. The pen is also now compatible with Euro-Style cartridges, expanding your choices of refills. This means you won’t have to keep on buying new pens just because the ink has run out. Everything about the pen is designed to make it easy to repair, maintain, and preserve, ensuring that it will be around for years.

Even the packaging is made from sustainable and recyclable materials, including the cork drop stand that comes with every pen. You could, of course, also opt for a metal drop stand that matches the pen’s brass or aluminum body. There is also a Lazlo Sheath designed specifically for the pen, made from premium Badalassi Carlo leather that ages well with the pen itself. Whether you prop it up on a stand, keep it in your pocket, or display it in its leather bed, the all-metal Lazlo ballpoint pen will look striking in its simplicity, serving as a visual reminder of the simple joys of writing with a good pen.

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The post Lazlo is a handsome ballpoint pen that celebrates the joys of writing first appeared on Yanko Design.

NOMINAL Moon Lander pen is ready to launch your productivity to the next level

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Nothing is more inspiring than a tool that represents humanity’s best moments and aspirations.

It’s easy to take a pen for granted until you find yourself forced to use one that doesn’t work or doesn’t feel comfortable to hold. Mass-produced pens have numbed our minds to the joys of holding a well-designed tool, especially one that delights our sense of sight and touch. Fortunately, there is also no shortage of high-quality pens that try to bring back those age-old sensations with a modern touch. And what could be more modern than a pen inspired by a rocket that will take humans to their next frontier, a fitting metaphor for breaking through the barriers of boredom, procrastination, and banality to take off to new heights of creativity and productivity.

Designer: Mercator London

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Nominal, whose name was literally taken from a term used during rocket launches, made a name for itself with a highly successful 2020 run that brought a pen designed to resemble SpaceX’s historic Falcon 9. Inspired by a new collaboration between NASA and SpaceX to bring humans back to the Moon, the new NOMINAL Moon Lander puts a different twist to the “space pen,” allowing your mind and your hands to wander briefly and take part in the history-defining process of launching a rocket into space. Pick up the pen from its base, pop the cap module off, and land the pen’s tip on paper to write your thoughts and tasks down smoothly, unhindered by the weight of poorly-designed pens.

The NOMINAL Moon Lander is striking both in its design and its finish. Its brushed stainless steel body is expertly made from 18 individual CNC-machined parts and conveys both an image of strength and durability. Every part of the pen is meticulously designed, even for the parts you’re unlikely to see or notice. The base, for example, hides 29 recessed dots that represent the 29 raptor engines that will catapult the Super Heavy Starship to space. The pen’s grip has engraved hexagonal patterns, similar to the heatshields used in SpaceX’s rockets.

The pen isn’t just for show, of course, though it definitely stands tall and proud as a desk centerpiece. It is also a sharp tool you can use to wage war on work and todos, especially with the Schmidt P950M Medium Black pressurized refill that was specifically chosen for its smooth-flowing ink at any angle. The base can be easily detached to replace the cartridge when the ink well runs empty. The pen grip’s stainless steel surface is cool to the touch, and the patterns increase the skin’s grip, offering a more pleasant and stress-free writing experience.

NOMINAL Moon Lander Platform – Features a fineprint photograph of the Moon’s surface. It also fits an Apple MagSafe Wireless Charger.

And when the task is written and done, the Moon Lander can find its way back home to the optional Moon Lander Platform, complete with a printed photograph of the Moon’s surface. For those times when the rocket is away, that base can also be a home for your iPhone, especially because it hides a MagSafe charger inside. The base also serves as a fitting home for the cap Capsule Module while the pen is in use, signifying that the work is far from over.

Beautiful in both its construction and its form, the NOMINAL Moon Lander pen tickles one’s fancy and imagination every time it is picked up for what would otherwise be a rote or mundane task. Almost like a challenge to break free from the regularity of everyday life, the SpaceX-inspired pen delivers a tool that is both interesting to look at and even more pleasurable to hold and use, just as a modern pen in the space age should be.

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