Tag Archives: zen garden

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.

Meta.Zen playset lets adults calmly build their own miniature tranquil garden

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There are different objects and places that have been associated with feelings of peace and calmness, but one of the most iconic ones that span cultures and nations is the carefully designed minimalist Zen garden. Just seeing one, even in a picture, is enough to trigger mental images of peaceful meditation, whether by simply sitting on a spot or raking around sand. Of course, not everyone has space for a real Zen garden at home, and miniature kits can get problematic to maintain because of their use of real sand and, sometimes, real plants. If you’re fine with just the symbolic representations of the principles of Zen, then this sustainable playset for grownups not only gives you the creative freedom to design the Zen garden of your dreams, it even becomes a meditative practice in itself.

Designer: ILSA Yumeng Li and Zongheng Sun (PEAR & MULBERRY)

Puzzle toys and playsets have existed for decades, even centuries, and while the majority of these are designed for younger audiences, there are a few that require a more experienced mind to enjoy. Sometimes a puzzle could be too complicated, or a set might have intricate parts. Some kids might still have a bit of fun with this innovative playset, but it will be adults that will benefit from it the most because it evokes emotions and thoughts that only a stressed adult would be able to appreciate.

Meta.Zen, in a nutshell, lets you put together a Zen garden of your own design. You can make it as simple or as complicated as it can be, limited only by the number of pieces you have at hand. The hexagonal base pieces magnetically attach to one another, making them simple to use even for those with physical handicaps. The magnets are strong enough so that you can even stick the finished garden to a wall to serve as a calming piece of decoration. And since there’s no sand or plants involved, there’s no mess either.

It’s more than just a simple playset, though, and each and every piece is carefully designed with the same meticulous attention to detail that Zen gardeners use. The almost random ridges and valleys of the base tiles can be combined and connected in multiple ways, creating millions of Zen patterns that you can change as your heart desires. The pebbles, stone lamps, and structures that you can place on top also magnetically attach to the intersection of tiles, making it effortless to create any arrangement you could think of. More than just the final result, the process of putting together this playset can become a calming and meditative activity of its own.

And, of course, Meta.Zen also gives peace of mind that your serenity doesn’t come at the cost of the planet’s life. The parts are used using biodegradable PLA based on walnut wood, while only natural fibers like algae and bamboo are used to give the pieces their earthy colors. Each piece is designed to let you see and feel elements of nature on a smaller scale, giving you the freedom to take not only the playset but also your Zen bubble with you wherever you go.

The post Meta.Zen playset lets adults calmly build their own miniature tranquil garden first appeared on Yanko Design.

Desktop Mars Zen Garden: Interplanetary Peace

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Originally created as places for monks to meditate on Buddha’s teachings, Zen gardens have been miniaturized and available in desktop versions for quite some time now. Just not in interplanetary form, like this Mars Zen Garden available from Uncommon Goods. The desktop meditation garden features a 10″ diameter resin tray, red sand, lava rocks, a tiny astronaut and Sojourner rover, and a rake for making patterns. I am going to have so much fun relaxing and not working!

The copper-finish nickel rake features one end for raking and the other for creating craters from meteorite impacts. How realistic. Of course, if they wanted to make it even more realistic, it should come with some alien mini-figures as well. Stop hiding the truth, NASA!

I remember I had a miniature Zen garden in high school to help calm my nerves from the high stress of youth (little did I know!), but my cat Bill eventually knocked it off my desk, and all the sand got lost in the carpet. I suppose I should just be thankful he didn’t decide to use it as a litter box instead. At least there’s that.

[via The Awesomer]

Kreoo brings nature’s great art indoors as design objects you can sit on

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Zen gardens, whether actual gardens or miniature recreations, have become symbols of calm, relaxing spaces in today’s hectic world. It isn’t just the fine sand that conveys that imagery, and, in fact, the sand is more therapeutic and effective if you actively draw on them rather than just looking at their undulating patterns. A zen garden is almost like a microcosm symbolizing a miniature universe, at least the ideal one from monks’ minds. Every piece and part of that garden symbolizes nature’s true beauty, including the unhewn rocks and large smooth pebbles stacked on top of each other. It’s the latter’s beauty that Kreoo is bringing to homes, rooms, gardens, and poolsides to offer a piece of furniture that is both beautiful, calming, and thought-provoking, all at the same time.

Designer: Enzo Berti

There is something beautiful and also symbolic about smooth pebbles of different sizes stacked on each other. The pebbles themselves have been sculpted and polished by flowing river waters and blowing wind over the course of months and years, showcasing Mother Nature’s artistic talent. At the same time, the cairn, as it is sometimes called, is a man-made structure that is used to represent, among other things, higher aspirations as well as balance, attempting to find and create some semblance of balance in life.

Of course, these stacked pebbles are mostly only just for viewing, but Kreoo takes the concept and turns it into something you can both see and use every day. Its Pavé collection turns the concept of meditative stacked pebbles into furniture, especially ones that you can sit on. Rather than waiting for years for nature to take its course to create large, smooth pebbles, Kreoo employs modern techniques and materials to emulate Mother Nature as close as possible. And it’s not all just hard stone either, which would have made for an uncomfortable sitting and shipping experience.

Instead, the Pavé Stone seats use an oval marble base to deliver the sturdy foundations of this unique piece of furniture. It places a wooden seat on top, one that has been formed in the shape of a smooth pebble similar to its base. The lighter wood seat allows for rather visually unbalanced designs, with a top that’s twice as large as its base, something that would have been impossible using real rocks or marble. The design almost stands in defiance of nature while, at the same time, is a tribute to it.

At Salone del Mobile 2022, Kreoo introduced a new combination for its Pavé Stones. Normally just made of two pieces, a marble base and a wood seat, the furniture maker added another layer to increase the seat’s height and accommodate more people of varying heights and needs. There now exists an option to have two marble bases beneath the wooden seat, and the appearance of each piece can still be chosen as desired.

The Pavé collection also includes the Pavé Log bench, where a wooden board is made to overlap and overshoot two marble bases, and the Pavé Drink, a table that adds an element of metal in the stem that raises the round wooden top up high. These beautiful pieces of furniture are easily mistaken as design objects and can add a bit of Zen to any room, garden, or space while also offering something to sit on while you contemplate the meaning of life.

The post Kreoo brings nature’s great art indoors as design objects you can sit on first appeared on Yanko Design.

A Japanese Zen Garden-inspired Bluetooth Speaker to bring peace and tranquility to your home!

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Tranquility, peace, mindfulness, and zen – that is what encapsulates a zen garden. Having lived in Japan for 2 years, the country knows how to carve out a piece of your heart! Especially if you are someone who appreciates a clean, orderly place as much as I do, Japan is your heaven. Hyunjun Choi brings a slice of a zen garden’s serenity to your home with this Bluetooth speaker.

The Zen Garden speaker captures the minimalistic element of a Japanese garden by mimicking the repetitive patterns you find in the sand there. As a bonus, the rock on the top of the speaker doubles as a volume control know. The speaker boasts of a diffused white light that shines underneath the speaker and under the pebble/volume knob, amplifying the overall tranquility of the design.

Music is known for its ability to help us transport ourselves to another space. We don’t need visuals, but we always need music to work on our mood. The Zen Garden speaker brings the visuals to help you meditate, or even take you through the streets of Kyoto, wandering as we feel that balance of tradition and modern in one tiny little package guaranteed to look great even when not in use.

Designer: Hyunjun Choi of Momentum Studio

Etch a Sketch Zen Garden Coffee Table: Sand De-stresser

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And now for your moment of zen. This Etch a Sketch Zen Garden Coffee Table is a great way to channel your inner calm. Friend of Technabob Caleb Kraft created this fun project that combines a coffee table, an Etch a Sketch and a zen garden. It is a great piece of functional decor that you can play with while having your morning coffee..

etch_a_sketch_table_1zoom in


Caleb’s goal was to create a table that would have two knobs to move a ball bearing through a bed of sand, sort of like a giant Etch a Sketch. He accomplished this by scaling up and tweaking a previous “tracing device” project.

You can check out the build in the videos below if you want learn to make your own. It looks like a fun toy to have in your home. This would definitely impress your friends.

[via Make:]