Business cards and shop cards are often regarded as boring, impersonal representations of people and places, but that’s partly because we often forget to associate the person with the name on the card. It’s easy enough to forget the first encounter with a stranger who hands you their business card, not unless you actually turn that card into an unforgettable memory. Rather than keep those cards in some container that you forget inside a drawer, why not slip them into this minimalist and profound log book that lets you write down your own thoughts and memories about people, encounters, and events, turning them into small stories that let you cherish these memories and remember them better for days to come.

Designer: Replug

Click Here to Buy Now: $19

Some people and events definitely leave a lasting impression, but our frail human minds can easily forget them as well. Photos and even business cards offer tangible triggers to jog our memories, but they can still end up feeling distant and impersonal, more like watching a film from the eyes of an outsider rather than from your own perspective. What better way to ensure you’ll remember the poignant details of that memory than by writing it down? And that’s exactly the kind of space that this Memories Log Book provides, allowing you to make every business card, shop card, or photo a truly personal and memorable encounter.

Using the log book is genius in its simplicity. You simply insert the two corners of a card into the slits and it will stay in place without the need for messy adhesives or cumbersome pockets. It can fit business cards, shop cards, and even small Instax photos, anything you might collect from brief but memorable encounters. Beside each card is an empty space, a blank canvas where you can write your own reflections on the person or event, helping your future self remember what made the card worth keeping. You can even draw on it, if you’re so inclined, creating a stronger association with those people you’ve only just met.

This A5-sized business card file log book can hold up to 120 cards, but you can add, remove, and rearrange pages just as easily as you add cards. An elastic band serves as the binding, running across the height of the book and through cutouts on the top and bottom edges. This innovative system makes it trivial to organize those cards the way you like that you might actually find yourself losing time just personalizing the pages.

The Log Book’s minimalist design extends to its choice of material. High-quality paper is simple yet holds deep meaning, both for our minds and especially our hands. The tactile warmth of each page creates a bond between the person and the cards on that page, and its elegant yet unassuming appearance is a perfect fit for any setting, whether it’s at home, in the office, or even in a meeting. It’s definitely a great gift idea not just for workers but for anyone who loves collecting memories in a more meaningful and personal way.

Click Here to Buy Now: $19

The post Transform Business Cards into Cherished Memories with This Minimalist Log Book first appeared on Yanko Design.

While many wars have been fought over different kinds of pens and their designs, some people still prefer the simplicity and unique texture of a good, old-fashioned, wooden pencil. Unfortunately, even die-hard pencil fans will admit that their favorite writing tool can sometimes be a pain to maintain. Not only do they tend to go missing exactly when you need them, they might also be too dull by the time you do find them among the pile of other writing instruments. You waste a lot of time fumbling with tools while your muse slips away before you have a chance to write the idea down on paper. Having your tools always within reach helps cut down on time and friction, and this striking minimalist design solves that by combining two of the most essential pencil accessories in one.

Click Here to Buy Now: $55

The Problem: Sharpeners are Unattractive, Inefficient, Out of Reach

A pencil is one of the most basic and most timeless writing instruments known to man. It has its own distinct charm that’s exhibited both by its graphite marks as well as the design of its barrel. That said, the pencil has also inherited the one flaw of its ancestors: the need for regular sharpening. Mechanical pencils try to offer an alternative design but also sacrifice the unique personality of the wooden pencil in favor of precision and convenience.

Sharpening a pencil isn’t exactly too much work, but scrambling to find the sharpener costs too much time and tension when you need to jot something down quickly. And that’s not even considering the time you spend actually looking for your pencil in the first place, especially if your favorite is lost among half a dozen barrels. A pencil and a pencil sharpener sound like two things that should go together, but there has never been a design that puts two and two together, at least until now.

Why is this the Best Pencil Sharpener?

This Upright Pencil Sharpener solves that by putting the sharpener where the pencil is or vice versa. Shaped like a disc or puck, the singular hole in the middle serves as a stand for your beloved writing tool, ready for you to pull it out when you need it. And should the pencil’s tip finally become too dull, you know exactly where to find the sharpener. No more searching inside drawers for a small metal or plastic box, or standing up to walk toward a mounted electric sharpener.

Despite its rather simple appearance, this pencil sharpener and stand in one is a prime example of great design. The base that holds the shavings is made from anodized aluminum with a matte black finish, while the cover that keeps the shavings from flying around is made from warm-toned walnut wood. A strong magnet keeps these two pieces together, so you don’t have to worry about accidentally knocking off the cover and spilling its contents. And when you are ready to empty the container, the 6cm diameter of the base makes it easy to throw everything out.

Who is this Pencil Sharpener for?

Pencil sharpeners are technically very utilitarian products, but this one easily sets itself apart with its elegance and appeal to the discerning, design-conscious pencil lover. The striking brass mechanism inside provides additional visual contrast to the darkness of the aluminum base. The angle of the blade inside is designed for optimal sharpening to reduce waste and prolong the pencil’s life. Simple, beautiful, and multi-functional, this pencil sharpener stand helps save you time and effort while allowing you to put your favorite pencil on display for everyone to see and appreciate.

Click Here to Buy Now: $55

The post Best pencil sharpener for those who don’t want to waste their pencils or time first appeared on Yanko Design.

Paper notebooks are in again, though some would argue they never really went out of fashion. Even with the inherent limitations of the medium, there is just an unbridled joy in putting pen or pencil to paper that has not yet been sufficiently replicated by the most advanced technologies and designs. In a way, notebooks have also become a reflection of the owner’s own self, while also acting as a gateway to their own inner world, their thoughts, their dreams, and maybe even their own self-image. Some people like their notebooks and their covers plain, while others opt for designs that display their interests and loyalties. Still, others treat their notebook covers like a blank canvas ready to tell their life story through stickers and art. This rather distinctive Japanese-inspired notebook tries to tell a different story, one that aims to inspire the owner to not only rise from the ashes but also embrace their own imperfections.

Designer: Sutta Design

Click Here to Buy Now: $29

Ceramic pots have great value not just because of their intricate, often hand-made designs but also because of their fragility. A single drop or hard bump is enough to break a beautiful vase, and most people simply throw these away, even if there’s just a crack. The Japanese, however, aren’t ones to dispose of what can still be repaired, and so the famed kintsugi, the traditional art of repairing pottery, was born. In a nutshell, this art uses golden lacquer to patch up and cover cracks, resulting in a piece of pottery that is even more beautiful because of its obvious flaws.

Over time, kintsugi became a symbol of embracing imperfections and self-healing, and those are the sentiments that this golden healing notebook attempts to convey. Using an equally traditional screen-printing method, wriggling lines of gold are painted on the notebook’s plain black cover, mimicking the cracks covered up by lacquer in a kintsugi masterpiece. And as with cracks, there is no uniformity or pattern to the branching lines, giving it a sense of randomness that you would find in nature itself. It’s a striking visual, with the gold contrasting with the black, that evokes both awe and wonder, subtly leading the mind to deeper thoughts.

The notebook’s theme of recovery and revival goes deeper than the cover. The paper used inside is bagasse which is made from the residue produced during sugarcane extraction. Instead of creating new paper from virgin pulp, it reuses what has been discarded, trying to make whole what was broken. In its own small way, it helps heal the planet’s cracking health, patching it up in small beautiful pieces rather than in one grandiose but ineffective sweep.

The kintsugi notebook embodies not only a traditional Japanese practice but the very highlights of Japanese culture itself. It is the perfect example of Japanese minimalist design, the frugality and efficiency of its people, as well as the profound thinking they can evoke from just a few simple symbols and materials. Whether you’re writing down your most secret thoughts, planning out your day ahead, or simply scribbling ideas and dreams, the notebook’s beautiful recycled paper invites you to let your pen roam free on the page, while the seemingly cracked cover exhorts you to embrace even the flaws that could, someday, lead to a beautiful design.

Click Here to Buy Now: $29

The post This Japanese Kintsugi Art Notebook Is Your Journaling Partner to Help You Realize Ikigai first appeared on Yanko Design.

If you’re on your way to university this August, then you most definitely need a collection of efficient, functional, and well-designed products to help you reach your utmost potential, and organize your life better. Having the right collection of designs by your side is crucial, as it helps you manage your uni life even better, making sure you complete all your tasks and maintain a healthy and well-planned daily routine. These products not only help you get your university work done easily and efficiently but also help you complete other tasks well. And, we’ve curated the collection of perfect back-to-university products for you – enjoy!

1. Van der Waals

Meet Van der Waals – a speaker with a 9-inch ferromagnetic visualizer. This intriguing speaker not only lets you listen to music but also see it. Ferrofluid is a magnetic liquid developed by NASA, and it is used in rocket ships to control fuel in Zero Gravity. The designers have used this liquid in their speakers to offer music lovers lovely graphics to accompany their favorite songs.

Why is it noteworthy?

The speakers have been equipped with stunning illumination, with beautiful LED lights perfectly pairing up with the ferrofluid visuals. You can turn off the lights, and enjoy a drink while listening to your favorite tunes on the Van der Waals.

What we like

• You don’t simply listen to music, but you also watch it

What we dislike

• The speakers look a bit difficult to maintain and clean

2. Inseparable Notebook Pen

The Inseparable NoteBook Pen has been created to be the perfect companion for your notebook. It merges with your notebook, allowing you to pen down your thoughts, memories, and ideas. It features a minimal design, comfy grip, and a seamless ink flow, making it more than just an ordinary writing tool – but an important part of your work day.

Click Here to Buy Now: $17.00

Why is it noteworthy?

The pen is simple yet elegant, and it is designed to be a natural and harmonious extension of the notebook. It features a sleek and minimalist form which is excellent for effortless writing. and it showcases timeless and elegant aesthetics which everyone loves.

What we like

• The gel ink allows smooth and seamless writing
• Compact design that easily attaches to your notebook

What we dislike

• It is positioned outside the notebook space, may cause it to get stained faster.

3. Minepot

If you’re a university student living alone, then you know how tasking it can be to cook meals for yourself, sometimes you make more than what is required, and either end up wasting the meal, or eating it for three days in a row – both scenarios are pretty goddamn terrible. Hence, the Minepot is the ultimate lifesaver for you!

Why is it noteworthy?

Designed by Yifeeling, the Minepot looks like a food processor at first glance, but it is an air fryer or food fryer type of appliance. It is smaller than most kitchen appliances, and it prepares food for one, and in a quantity that is perfect for different users. You can create the food intake that is just right for you.

What we like

• Opaque or semi-transparent upper section which allows you to keep an eye on your food as it is being cooked
• Helps include cooking in your daily ritual

What we dislike

• It’s still a concept, so we are unsure how well it would work as an actual product

4. Whiteboard Notebook

Called the Whiteboard Notebook, this little stationery product is perfect for students heading back to university. It is an innovative analog notebook designed for the digital age. The notebook combines the power of magnets with a whiteboard-like experience. This notebook utilizes a unique material that allows you to erase pen marks, and reuse the page.

Click Here to Buy Now: $79.00

Why is it noteworthy?

The pages are magnetically attached to the covers, and they can be removed and rearranged as and when needed. This offers you ample space to write and rewrite your different ideas.

What we like

• The pages are removable, and they can stick to magnetic surfaces
• It is made from an anti-glare material, which lets you easily take photos

What we dislike

• There aren’t different options in colors and sizes to choose from, which are preferred by students.

5. AirPods/AirPods Pro Neck Strap

Another nifty accessory to have by your side in university is the AirPods Neck Strap. If you’re someone who loses their earbuds while working, then this AirPods/AirPods Pro Neck Strap is the design for you! They keep your precious AirPods close to your heart, ensuring you never lose your AirPods or AirPods Pro.

Click Here to Buy Now: $39

Why is it noteworthy?

The neck strap is essentially a woven necklace which is pretty cute. You can wear it around your neck, keeping your precious AirPods close to you at all times. The neck strap is quite functional but also fashionable. It is equipped with the One-Click Magnetic Lock, which ensures the overall safety of your AirPods.

What we like

• Keeps your AirPods safe and secure, so you never lose them
• Serves as a simple yet stylish fashion accessory around your neck

What we dislike

• Since the AirPods are held by a strap, they can easily get dirty or damaged

6. BRuX

Meet BRuX – a portable pour-over coffee brewer bottle. This compact little pour-over system features fine filter papers, which enhance the sweet undertones with every brew while reducing the harsh acidic taste. The BRuX is very easy to work with, and you can take it anywhere with you – to university, work, campground, or any other outdoor adventure.

Why is it noteworthy?

BRuX is a stainless steel container that is durable, and equipped with double-wall vacuum insulating, making sure your coffee stays hot for hours. The designers had to work with over 30 iterations of their initial idea to get the final product, making BRuX unique and super functional.

What we like

• Easy-to-carry and portable design
• Elevate the sweet undertones of your coffee

What we dislike

• You can only prepare a limited quantity of coffee

7. Craftmaster EDC Utility Knife

Named the Craftmaster EDC Utility Knife, this minimal and stylish EDC knife is designed like an everyday paper cutter. It features an all-metal body, accentuated by a textured knob which allows you to deploy and lock the blade. The handle of the knife is quite weighted and grippy, so you can hold it with ease.

Click Here to Buy Now: $79.00

Why is it noteworthy?

The Utility Knife has a simple and sophisticated aesthetic with a CNC-machined handle and an enclosed blade that is machined to perfection. Since the blade is enclosed, it glides through with smoothness and no difficulty at all, forming a seamless experience.

What we like

• 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 is equipped with a magnetic back, so it can attract small metal parts

8. Summy

Called Summy, this dedicated device keeps students connected, while planning out the number of interruptions and distractions they can carry out. The device is a voice messenger, daily planner, timer, and social network to be used among friends, or particularly amongst students in the same class or level. You can send short voice messages to the people in your circle.

Why is it noteworthy?

Summy makes use of a UI that is made up of small concentric circles and icons that are represented by old-school monochrome 8-bit characters. By tapping on a friend’s icon, you can send a voice message, and you can also look at your other friends’ daily schedules. You can even send them a “Study with Me” request.

What we like

• Helps you study with your friends, ensuring you look forward to the study sessions

What we dislike

• It is a concept, so we are unsure how well it will translate into a tangible product

9. Stacks

Say hello to Stacks – a metal cube desk accessory, and desk organizer. The aesthetically pleasing product is made of industrial steel and brass, forming a desk accessory that organizes cords and cables. It is a premium desk accessory that can be used on your desk as an organizer, or even as home decor.

Why is it noteworthy?

Stacks measures 6.35 mm x 6.3 mm and it is the perfect size for contemporary charging cables, headphones, or any other wires that need to be neatly organized. It is a neat wire passageway and is available in industrial steel and classic brass.

What we like

• Aesthetically pleasing product that looks like a work of art

What we dislike

• It is pretty small in size, so can be easily misplaced

10. Beam Backpack

This is the Beam Backpack – the most advanced solar power backpack out there. This solar-powered backpack charges your iPhones, tablets, power banks, or any other device that may need charging. You don’t need to be anxious if your precious gadgets are running low on juice, because if the sun is out, it will power your backpack, which will in turn charge your devices.

Why is it noteworthy?

The Beam Backpack is also waterproof and features a YKK Water Resistant Zipper to keep any water. It has a clever ergonomic design as well as compression shoulder straps which stabilize the weight on your lower back.

What we like

• Equipped with a unique anti-theft buckle system
• Utilizes Miasolé – Flexible Solar Cells to charge your devices on the go

What we dislike

• There isn’t any option between different sizes and colors

The post Top 10 Cool University Must-Haves to Help You Gear Up for a Successful Academic Year first appeared on Yanko Design.

Think of a box and every single one your mind imagines will probably be made of 6 flat surfaces, forming either a cube or cuboid. Studio Entrandan wanted to reimagine this box, this pixel of our everyday life, as something with a little more dynamism and visual vitality… not just for the sake of making a curved box, but for the sake of making a box that’s MORE useful.

To do so, the London-based product design studio looked to the golden rectangle, expanding the box, creating a proportionate ellipse, and carrying the curve to the top and the bottom of the box. The result is a box that still has flat walls, but boasts a curved base and top. Why, you ask? So that the boxes can naturally stack one on another without requiring lips and grooves or any extra details. Boxes dominate our lives because of their natural ability to stack without any dead space – with this set, Studio Entrandan celebrates that stackable property through a clean design, with a gorgeous visual twist. These boxes are a gorgeous combination of minimal design with clever detailing. Perfect for people who just want to have a wooden set of containers on their work desk or their dining table (or anywhere, really), the Box Set comes with 3 boxes of varying heights, and a lid that also serves as a nifty tray to store items like rings, other jewelry, or even stationery.

Designer: Studio Entrandan

Click Here to Buy Now: $151 $188.75 (20% off). Hurry, only a few left!

The idea of redesigning something as fundamental as your everyday box came from playing around with ellipses and having them overlap one another. As soon as the idea began taking shape, the folks at Studio Entrandan immediately mocked up a 3D model and printed it out to test its feasibility. However, their intention was never to make the final product out of plastic. Choosing wood instead, the boxes were given a distinct EDC appeal. Borrowing from Scandinavian design influences (and even from their timber), the boxes look gorgeous when kept on any tabletop surface. Their curved base is cleverly designed to still sit flat on flat surfaces… but the minute you stack them one above the other, they tuck into each other (think of how dinner plates stack on top of another).

The boxes measure 200mm x 80mm (7.8in x 3.1in) and have varying heights for storing different items. They’re perfect for stationery, cutlery, EDC, your bedside belongings, or even tech like cables, AirPods, etc. The set includes 3 boxes and a lid, all of which can either orient one on top of another, or be used independently. Their shape makes them uniquely eye-catching to anyone who has an appreciation of craftsmanship and good design… but ultimately, they’re minimalist pieces that blend into your decor.

Each of the boxes are CNC machined out of a single block of wood, giving them the accuracy you’d probably expect from metal or plastic containers. Curves on the bottom and the top of the boxes are precision-machined to match into each other, allowing the boxes to stack naturally one on another the way plates do. The curves nest into each other in a way that’s appealing to the eye, allowing you to organize your boxes without joineries, magnets, or anything else. “Before production, we usually let our timber rest and acclimate for two weeks,” Huang mentions. “However, because timber is an organic material, it is constantly changing. Factors such as humidity, temperature, and sunlight can alter its shape.” This adds a unique natural touch to your boxes (think of it as a patina), although the makers recommend that if your boxes wobble a little too much because their tolerances no longer match, a little sandpaper does the trick. Followed by a coating of wood oil to restore their waterproofing.

The set of 3 boxes and a lid start at $151 and ship globally. Each box is CNC-machined out of a single block of wood, and Studio Entrandan offers a choice between Black Walnut, Cherry, and White Oak. You can buy multiple sets, or even individual containers to add to your collection.

Click Here to Buy Now: $151 $188.75 (20% off). Hurry, only a few left!

The post CNC-Machined Curved Design allows these Wood Boxes to stack perfectly without Joinery or Magnets first appeared on Yanko Design.

What sets an exceptional desk apart is the collection of stationery items placed on top of it (and also the manner in which they are placed). The true value and efficiency of your desk lie in the smart assortment of designs you adorn it with – these are after all the objects that are gonna help you get through your workday, and directly or indirectly affect your productivity. It’s imperative to have a collection that really lets you work easily, efficiently, and effectively. And, we’ve curated a collection of innovative and nifty stationery designs that you must own! From an everlasting all-metal pencil to minimal Japanese drawing pads – these are the modern stationery designs you need to meet your modern stationery needs.

1. Pen Fan

Named the Pen Fan, this innovative stationery product is an intriguing cross between a Pantone shade card, and a stationery set. The Pen Fan features 8 different flat-head sketch pens and is packed in a compact, portable set that is easy to carry anywhere and everywhere.

Why is it noteworthy?

The various flat pens are interconnected, creating a cute little Japanese-fan-style layout that proudly showcases all 8 colors, letting you pick and choose from them. The pens are detachable, and you can easily snap on and off the pens, to create a palette that caters to you.

What we like

• It is a portable set that you can carry anywhere with you
• You don’t lose your pens very easily

What we dislike

• There are only 8 color options, which can be a bit limiting

2. Royi Stationery

Called Royi Stationery, these stationery designs are unlike anything we’ve seen before. The designs all have stories to tell, and they aren’t just regular old staplers and hard disks, they’re see-through, showcasing what is inside them. The stationery set is based on the tale of the naked king, whose obsession with vanity, leads to his downfall.

Why is it noteworthy?

Royi Stationery intends to capture this thoughtful ideology in its designs. The collection includes an everyday stapler with an intriguing twist. It is see-through, allowing a glimpse into its inner workings. You can see the staple punching through the papers, which is quite cool.

What we like

• The stationery designs are a reminder to be honest and open
• Adds a thoughtful and intriguing twist to regular stationery products

What we dislike

• It’s a concept so we are unsure how well it will translate into a tangible product

3. MagBoard Clipboard

Named the MagBoard Clipboard – this innovative stationery design is flexible and functional. It is a unique notepad/clipboard hybrid. The Clipboard makes use of a magnet and lever mechanism that holds your sheets safely in one spot. The notepad is excellent for writing down your thoughts and ideas.

Click Here to Buy Now: $45

Why is it noteworthy?

The MagBoard Clipboard is a one-of-a-kind accessory that revamps the ordinary notepad. It enables users to tailor and elevate their note-taking experience, without the usual hassles of a typical notebook.

What we like

• Has a lightweight and compact form that makes it easy to carry around
• The papers are held safely and securely by magnets and levers

What we dislike

• Best used with specific sizes, which may not suit everyone’s needs

4. Aestus

Aestus is a limited edition signature pen that features a really unique form. The pen looks like a compact little lightsaber at first glance, but plenty of fountain pens look like they’re straight from Star Wars. The pen is built from high-grade stainless steel and features two geometric shapes that convert the hexagon profile into a circle.

Why is it noteworthy?

The pen is quite sophisticated and features a ceramic docking unit where the pen can be stored when not being used. A layer of cork is placed in the upper part and the base. The pen’s design and the docking unit offer a luxurious and regal vibe.

What we like

• Gives a luxurious vibe to a stationery design

What we dislike

• Isn’t yet available for commercial purposes
• Will probably be pretty expensive

5. Gravity Pen

Named the Gravity Pen, this innovative pen is designed to be the ultimate sidekick to carry with you. It places the center of gravity closer to your fingers, forming a harmonious and seamless writing experience, making the pen quite easy to hold, and make strokes with. The pen has a pretty big grip, larger than the barrel.

Click Here to Buy Now: $45

Why is it noteworthy?

The grip has a faceted form, making the pen easy to hold, while providing a more stable grip. The Gravity Pen has a super ergonomic design since it was designed using the smart application of physics and minimalist design principles. It is a no-fuss and no-nonsense stationery design!

What we like

• Features an ergonomic form making it quite easy to hold
• Lightweight and durable body that is easy to carry around

What we dislike

• There isn’t a variety of color options to choose from, limited choice of product

6. The OZ Stationery Collection

The OZ Stationery Collection is a creative effort to rejuvenate an overlooked market. The unique collection was designed after studying the stationery market to find a distinctive niche in an industry that is already quite populated and saturated. The OZ Stationery is designed to cater to the creative demographic.

Why is it noteworthy?

The intention behind the OZ Stationery is to form a collection of personal stationery products that are a representation of popular art movements and their philosophies. The audience is creatives who can relate to certain artistic feelings, movements, and artists. The products are intended to be a form of self-expression.

What we like

• The stationery collection serves as a unique gifting option

What we dislike

• The collection is conceptual so we are unsure how well it will translate into a tangible product

7. Serenity Pen Stand

Called the Serenity Pen Stand, this unique pen stand is an excellent object to hold your pen. Pens can be pretty easy to lose, and if you’re constantly trying to keep track of your pen, then you need to get your hands on the Serenity Pen Stand. It features a compact and minimal form with a metallic touch.

Click Here to Buy Now: $39

Why is it noteworthy?

The Serenity pen stand ensures you always have easy access to your pen, safeguarding it, and ensuring you never lose it. Made using aluminum and copper, it forms a well-balanced cylinder, that adds a pop of subtle color and character to your study desk.

What we like

• Has a heavy copper bottom which provides it with a stable form
• Sleek and minimal design

What we dislike

• Pretty small in size, so can be misplaced easily

8. Bloomstick

Named the Bloomstick, this pretty-looking conceptual pen design allows you to write down your dreams as it is important to note them down and make them come true. The pen lets your dreams “bloom like flowers” when you write them on paper using it. The tagline of the pen is “Click to bloom your dream”.

Why is it noteworthy?

The Bloomstick is equipped with a silicone-covered platform which you can press, and it opens into a pretty flower-like shape, which you can use as a blooming instrument. It is available in different colors such as blue, pink, and green, but when closed it looks like a typical pen which you can still use.

What we like

• Gives a playful and interesting twist to your everyday pen

What we dislike

• The pen seems to be more aesthetic than functional

9. Japanese Paper Memo Block

Dubbed the Japanese Paper Memo Block, this minimal little notepad is designed to capture your every day exciting thoughts, making sure you never really miss out on them. Since we tend to have a fear of missing out on our thoughts, it is important to note them down in the nick of time.

Click Here to Buy Now: $20.00

Why is it noteworthy?

The Memo Block lets you focus on what is important, allowing you to note down your significant thoughts, before you get distracted, and lose track of them. The pad is pretty small, and you can easily place it wherever you like.

What we like

• Features a pure black/white surface which lets you pull out new thoughts from your mind
• The pad is made using high-quality Japanese paper

What we dislike

• Looks like an ordinary memo pad with no real specialty

10. Funno

Named Funno, this unique pencil sharpener is unlike your typical pencil sharpener. It has the shape of a small cylinder, which makes it one-of-a-kind, unlike the conventional pencil sharpeners you tend to see in the market. If you’re looking to add something interesting and innovative to your stationery collection, then you need to get Funno.

Why is it noteworthy?

The Funno pencil sharpener has a lustrous sheen which makes it look like a luxurious desk decoration instead of a simple stationery design that cuts through hard, getting muddied and dirtied by black graphite.

What we like

• Funno has a German-made Möebius+Ruppert inside to deal with dull pencils easily

What we dislike

• Some people may prefer a typical and traditional sharpener. The design may be too radical for some

The post 10 Best Stationery Products To Assist You In Your Art & Design Projects first appeared on Yanko Design.

People are much more productive on coffee, they say. A single cup can get you working with more energy and focus, but one company is making your cup of coffee a little more productive than you think. While the coffee you drink enriches your mind, the coffee grounds you throw away after the brewing process can apparently be bound into pencil leads, letting you literally write/sketch/doodle WITH coffee! Meet GRIND Z – a pencil lead that ditches graphite for coffee, giving you an all-natural zero-waste alternative to regular pencils. The 5.6mm lead fits into any clutch pencil that accepts leads that size, allowing you to scribble, write, take notes, doodle, and sketch with coffee. Each lead is made up of recycled coffee grounds along with a combination of binding agents – and the result is an earthy brown lead that writes on paper and actually has a coffee aroma too!

Designer: Zirobio

Click Here to Buy Now: $26 $34 (24% off). Hurry only a few left!

Coffee grounds are a major contributor to landfill waste, with millions of tons ending up in dumps each year. GRIND Z effectively diverts these grounds from an unwanted fate, giving them a new life as a creative tool. The company behind this project, Zirobio, is a biotechnology firm dedicated to developing sustainable solutions through bio-based materials. Initiated by Hailey and Miles, avid coffee drinkers, the GRIND Z was their way of seeing if this humble cup of coffee – a symbol of work, happiness, and hustle – could be channeled into something else. Something that transforms coffee waste into even more productivity.

Coffee has been embraced by the art community already, with people using espresso and black coffee to make stained art. The liquid imparts a brown or ochre tint on paper, depending on how diluted it is – Zirobio’s idea builds on this already existing trend, transforming it from liquid to lead. One cup of coffee can generate enough grounds for up to 6 leads, Zirobio says. Each GRIND Z lead boasts a unique blend of 20% recycled coffee grounds and 80% essential binding agents like waxes and adhesives. This carefully formulated combination ensures a smooth writing experience you expect from high-quality pencil lead. But the real magic lies in the subtle, natural coffee aroma (with a hint of bitterness) that lingers with each stroke, adding a delightful sensory element to the drawing/writing process.

The lead comes in a standard 5.6mm size, ensuring compatibility with most clutch pencils – the refillable mechanical pencils commonly used by artists and designers. Zirobio even offers a sleek aluminum clutch pencil as part of their Kickstarter rewards, creating a perfect match for the eco-friendly lead. The natural brown hue of the coffee grounds eliminates the need for artificial coloring, resulting in a unique aesthetic that complements the sustainable philosophy behind the product.

Beyond its eco-friendly credentials, GRIND Z offers a captivating visual appeal. The subtle variations in the brown tones add a touch of organic charm to your artwork or sketches. This earthy aesthetic sets it apart from traditional graphite leads, allowing artists to explore a new visual language in their work. The lead can be used with a clutch pencil or even as a crayon. It supports being sharpened by a knife or a sharpener, with zero wastage (because there’s no wood being used), and if all that wasn’t impressive, the GRIND Z is naturally skin-friendly, allowing people with sensitive skin to handle it with ease.

You can grab yourself a 2-pack of GRIND Z leads (each pack contains 6 leads) for $26 and YD readers get a free custom-made coffee bean ring too. Alternatively, a $29 pledge gets you a GRIND Z 2-pack along with a compatible 5.6mm aluminum clutch pencil. If you own a coffee shop or a small studio, YD readers can also enjoy a 34% discount, getting a 10-pack of GRIND Z and 10 clutch pencils for $109, adding a sustainable highlight to your brand. Additionally, stretch goals have unlocked more free rewards with free shipping, such as art posters, coffee ground soap, and coffee ground mugs, included along with your order.

Click Here to Buy Now: $26 $34 (24% off). Hurry only a few left!

The post Move over Graphite… This Company is making Recycled Coffee Pencil Leads that write and smell great first appeared on Yanko Design.

It doesn’t matter where you’re working, whether at home or in a commercial life, both these scenarios involve a desk! A desk is probably one of the most important pieces of furniture in our modern lives, only because we spend the majority of our day on it. You may be typing away to glory, munching away on a snack, or simply fidgeting with a random object – you do end up spending hours on your desk. And hence, your desk must be neat, tidy, and uncluttered. Not only will this improve your work routine and productivity, but it will also help you maintain a clearer and more streamlined mindset. And, I’ve discovered that adding limited, quality, and innovative products to my desk setup can help me in achieving these goals! And we’ve curated a collection of smart and well-designed desk gear to help you achieve peak productivity. Happy working!

1. Magic Bar

Dubbed the Magic Bar, this portable Touch Bar can be partnered up and used with any Apple peripheral. The device is sleek, seamless, easy to carry, and pretty similar to the Touch Bar if you consider functionality and features. The design of the Magic Bar is recognizable and intuitive as well.

Why is it noteworthy?

The Magic Bar can easily aligned horizontally with your keyboard. You can even pair up the Magic Bar with your iPhone, building and creating multiple smart home shortcuts, which can be used for heightened productivity and efficiency.

What we like

• It can be easily carried in the backpack with your gear

What we dislike

• It is a conceptual design, so we don’t know how well it will translate into a real product

2. Levitating Pen 3.0

Named the Levitating Pen, this sleek writing accessory is equipped with a Schmidt ballpoint cartridge, which lets you hold it with ease, allowing you to write smoothly. The pen has a 60-degree angle which can be placed in the specially designed stand, and reminds you of a spacecraft floating in the galaxy.

Click Here to Buy Now: $129

Why is it noteworthy?

The pen is quite good-looking, and it can be placed in its magnetized holder, which keeps it floating in position. Give the pen a little twist, and it spins for 20 seconds, allowing you to have a playful experience with it.

What we like

• Easy and sturdy to hold and use
• Spinning the pen can be a fun stress-busting activity for you

What we dislike

• When placed on a curved surface the pen can easily roll off, so you need to keep it aside with care

3. PAL Desk Clock

Named the PAL Desk Clock, this desk accessory is designed to help people work on their desktops, without getting distracted by unwanted objects and mediums. It keeps you updated with the important notifications while eliminating the unnecessary ones. It has a dedicated widget space for the most needed apps.

Why is it noteworthy?

The handy gadget includes five main functions – focus sessions, timekeeping, music playback, and wireless charging. The desk clock also has a calendar and a temperature sensor, as well as a wide display on which you can customize the widgets like weather, music playback, and calendar schedules.

What we like

• Features a wireless charging pad that can be positioned on the back

What we dislike

• It is a conceptual design, so we are unsure how well it will translate into a tangible product

4. Japanese Drawing Pad

Named the Japanese Drawing Pad, this desk accessory is made of Japanese paper, which is renowned for its premium quality paper. Japanese paper is much loved by artists and designers, and if you wish to incorporate some Japanese paper to your workdesk, you need to purchase the Japanese Drawing Pad.

Click Here to Buy Now: $26

Why is it noteworthy?

You can jot down your thoughts and ideas on this premium-quality pad, without causing any damage to the durable paper fibers. The pad offers you a relaxing and intuitive writing experience.

What we like

• The paper in the pad is micro-perforated
• It is available in different colors and sizes, so you need to pick one that suits your needs

What we dislike

• It may look like an ordinary pad, but the high quality can only be experienced

5. Nemonic Gen 2

Meet the Nemonic Gen 2 – an inkless, thermal and wireless printer that allows you to quickly and efficiently print your notes or even images on Ultra Sticky Notes! Since these notes are ultra-sticky, they won’t fall off with ease, and you can use them to capture important details and thoughts.

Why is it noteworthy?

You can connect the compact little printer to your desktop, and mobile device, so you can print out notes you may have written, drawn, or typed. It can be teamed up with the Microsoft Office apps, Slack, and Zapier too, facilitating heightened productivity.

What we like

• You can print notes directly, and it includes a de-curl feature too

What we dislike

• They don’t sell refills individually at this point, which is inconvenient if you run out of the notes

6. MagBoard Clipboard

Meet the MagBoard Clipboard – this unique desk accessory is minimal and flexible and is designed to be a cutting-edge notepad/clipboard hybrid. It utilizes a magnet and lever mechanism which can be used to hold your sheets securely in place. This notepad is great for capturing your ideas and thoughts as they flow freely.

Click Here to Buy Now: $45

Why is it noteworthy?

The one-of-a-kind accessory redefines the traditional notepad, and it allows users to tailor and customize their note-taking experience without the typical constraints of a conventional notebook.

What we like

• It features a lightweight and compact form and can be used both at home or while traveling
• Magnets and levers hold the papers securely

What we dislike

• Best used with specific sizes, which may not suit everyone’s needs

7. Painless Key Ring

You can now bid adieu to the issue of traditional key rings, and adopt the Painless Key Ring with its revolutionary wave spring key ring. It draws inspiration from the mechanisms used in the aerospace industry. You have a smooth and seamless way of managing your keys without any of the hassle.

Click Here to Buy Now: $25

Why is it noteworthy?

You can organize your keys using a high-tech and sturdy design which ensures your keys are always accessible. It features a lightweight and compact form, which ensures your keys are always organized and safely with you.

What we like

• Uses a wave spring technology to easily add and remove keys
• You don’t have to deal with tight or deformed key rings

What we dislike

• Since it has an advanced design, it is more pricier

8. Lon:HUB

Called the Lon:HUB, this docking hub offers your desk a cleaner and more concise appearance while providing you with all the outlets and ports that you need. The ports and sockets can be connected under your desk, and also on top of your space. Below the desk, you have 5x 110V AC sockets, 2x HDMI 2 display ports, and 2x arms where you can wrap your cords.

Why is it noteworthy?

The edge of the desk holds the hub which has a 10 Gbps USB-C 100W port, 2x USB-A ports, a SD card slot, and also a wireless charger landing pad.

What we like

• There is a Pro version available as well, if you need a more powerful unit

What we dislike

• Only works on tables with flat edges

9. DESKRISK

Named DESKRISK, this collection of unique desk accessories ensures you don’t exhaust yourself while sitting on your desk all day long. It attempts to protect you from the adverse effects of sitting on your desk for long hours and straining your eyes and neck. The collection contains a desk clock.

Why is it noteworthy?

The DESKRISK collection also includes a lamp, reminding you to move with the light source, so you don’t bow down and keep looking at your desk. These unique products encourage you to take a much-needed break from your work and desk, letting your mind and body rest.

What we like

• Functional and valuable products for people who are at risk due to the nature of their work

What we dislike

• The magazine rack is designed based on the carpal tunnel syndrome, and we don’t know how it will help users with wrist problems

10. Anywhere-Use Lamp

Dubbed the Anywhere-Use Lamp, this minimal and compact lamp design is a well-designed and clever lighting solution. It has a cute little mushroom-shaped head, and it lets out a soft and relaxing glow which creates a calm and tranquil ambience, allowing users to work and relax in peace.

Click Here to Buy Now: $149

Why is it noteworthy?

The lamp is powered by four AA batteries, and it features a modular design that offers atmospheric enhancement wherever it is placed. The lamp is equipped with six high-color rendering LEDs, and it creates an oasis of peace and relaxation in your home.

What we like

• Features four brightness levels
• You can easily disassemble the lamp, and take it anywhere with you

What we dislike

• The lamp isn’t water-resistant, can be an issue if you carry it outdoors

The post Top 10 Desk Gear To Achieve Heightened Productivity & A Streamlined Work Routine first appeared on Yanko Design.

Feeling overwhelmed by distractions and struggling to stay focused? The MOFT Snap Flow is the perfect solution for your everyday carry. Combining the age-old magic of pen and paper with modern tech, this clever tool helps you capture, organize, and act on your ideas with timeless simplicity. Portable and sleek, it attaches to the back of your phone and detaches quickly, allowing you to jot down inspirations instantly without fumbling for a notepad or getting lost in apps. Whether you’re in a meeting, on your commute, or enjoying a quiet moment at a café, this tool is always ready to boost your productivity and keep you focused.

Designer: Julianna He, Founder of MOFT

Click Here to Buy Now: $29 $49 (41% off). Hurry, only 1/100 left!

This sleek tool combines a pen, paper, organizer, and reminder, ensuring you capture, organize, and act on tasks without wasting mental energy. Handwrite your ideas for better memory recall without extra items. The foldaway pen and other tools fit directly on your phone, making everyday carry invisible and convenient.

We all have days where organizing takes up more time than doing. The MOFT Snap Flow helps you focus on what truly matters by eliminating “empty work.” When a brilliant idea strikes during a meeting, simply unfold the built-in pen and jot it down. The pen’s unique design folds flat to fit inside the Snap Flow and ergonomically transforms into an easy-to-hold shape.

If you usually start your morning by jotting down key to-dos and acting without distractions, the Snap Flow’s impactfulness yet versatility adapts to your daily activities. It allows you to note quick thoughts during conversations, filter actionable information, and review progress with ease. Capture inspirations during your walk, store rough sketches, and expand ideas using digital apps. This all-in-one companion helps you form a positive loop, motivating you to achieve more each day.

Don’t let mindless scrolling steal your “ah-ha” moments. Inspiration often strikes during downtime, like waiting for your train, sitting in a park, or in a café, and suddenly, that spark of genius hits you. With Snap Flow, you can quickly note it down without digging through your bag. With the MOFT Snap Flow, you can capture and explore every spark of creativity without distraction. Mounted on the back of your phone, it keeps you focused on your creative flow. Instead of getting lost in social media, you capture and turn those fleeting thoughts into action.

The Snap Flow features three dedicated zones for brain-dumping ideas, noting key to-do lists, and capturing core notes. This minimalist approach ensures you can kickstart your daily tasks immediately after capturing them. Imagine finishing a brainstorming session with everything neatly organized and ready for action without any extra steps. Whether you’re in a meeting or enjoying a quiet moment in a café, this tool helps you stay productive and focused.

When you need a visual reminder of your priorities while working at your desk, the Snap Flow magnetically detaches from your phone and folds up to create a focus zone. It also transforms into a handy phone stand for hands-free FaceTime with family and friends, making your device multitask with you. Use the Snap Flow as your on-the-go “idea lab” and “note library,” jotting down or drawing your ideas effortlessly.

Crafted with eco-friendly materials, the Snap Flow is your minimalist on-the-go companion, ready to help you stay productive and focused. Imagine beginning each day with a clear plan and the tools to see it through, all without the clutter.

The Snap Flow is available in four stylish color options to match your personal style: Misty Cove x Sapphire, Taupe x Sunrise, Navy Blue x Beach White, and Misty Cove. Choose the one that best fits your aesthetic and make productivity a seamless part of your daily life.

Click Here to Buy Now: $29 $49 (41% off). Hurry, only 1/100 left!

The post Boost Your Productivity with MOFT Snap Flow: The Ultimate Portable Focus Tool first appeared on Yanko Design.

The key design elements for a pen holder or pen pot are pretty simple. It just needs to be tall enough to support writing instruments of different heights without them tipping over and would have enough room for at least a handful of pens, pencils, markers, and the like. Beyond that, the designer is free to interpret the shape of the container, and some even have dividers to segregate the different tools. But while pen holders are a convenient way to keep your pens together, they don’t really make it easy to pick out your favorite one from among the bundle. Some people would use a separate stand just for that single pen, which takes up unnecessary space on your desk. This concept design has a rather curious answer to the problem, one that pretty much leaves a conspicuous hole in the middle of the pill-shaped pot.

Designer: Liam de la Bedoyere

Usually, having a hole in the middle of a container is considered to be a defect, one that not only weakens the structure of the shape but also mars its visual integrity. After, something that cuts through an otherwise clean and whole form is sure to bother one’s aesthetic sense. In this case, however, that hole is not only intentional but also functional, setting the Void Pen Pot apart from your run-of-the-mill pen holders.

The hole that runs through the body of the pill-shaped container actually provides a convenient resting place for your most-used pen or pencil. Instead of wasting time and effort looking for that pen among half a dozen similar-looking rods, you can simply pull it out from its hole and start using it immediately. And when you’re done, you can just shove it back in to wait for the next time you need it.

Since that hole practically bisects the container, it also acts as a built-in divider that lets you group your pens into two. That said, this also means you’re not able to maximize the entire space of the container for your pens, specifically the area above and below the “tunnel” made by this hole.

The concept comes in two flavors, four if you consider the pen holder can be pill-shaped or a conventional can. One design employs a polished chrome body, while the other tries to adopt Japanese minimalist brand MUJI’s signature frosted polypropylene, both with cork bottoms. While the function of having an odd yet special place for your favorite pen is definitely useful, it still raises the question of whether such a quirky design will be appealing or off-putting instead, with a pen sticking out from an otherwise blemish-free surface.

The post Odd pen holder has a unique way to showcase your favorite writing tool first appeared on Yanko Design.

The advancement of a society is determined by the tools it uses. That’s why we labeled epochs by materials, like the stone age, bronze age, iron age and the industrial age. With how much design and art has evolved over the past few decades, it really doesn’t make much sense using stationery tools from centuries ago. Gone are the days of relying on protractors and set-squares, the folks at Ddiin have designed something new, the Exlicon L is an all-encompassing toolkit that combines clever detailing with new-age requirements. With 3 tools that achieve a variety of unique tasks, the Exlicon L lets you master distances, circles, arcs, parabolic curves, triangles, and the golden ratio – one of nature and visual design’s most prominent templates.

Designer: Ddiin Concept Ltd./ Sofia Lee Pik Shan

Click Here to Buy Now: $26 $36 (27% off). Hurry, only 9/100 left! Raised over $47,000.

Sofia Lee, the visionary behind Ddiin, founded the company in 2019, winning over 30 design awards (like the iF Design Award and IDEA Award) for their unique spin on stationery and their commitment to enhancing the functional aesthetics of design tools. The Exlicon L is perhaps their most extensive toolkit yet, designed to allow web designers, graphic designers, architects, artists, industrial designers, fashion designers, and more to effortlessly create shapes and lines that adhere to the golden ratio—a universally admired aesthetic standard that imbues works with a natural sense of harmony and balance.

The toolkit is cleverly engineered to be compact yet comprehensive, accommodating a wide array of design needs. It includes tools like the TG, Triangle, and Circle, each crafted to facilitate the creation of precise geometric shapes, golden spirals, and thick lines, all within the palm of your hand. The precision of these tools addresses a common challenge in freehand drawing—achieving accurate proportions without traditional measuring devices, which can often disrupt the creative flow.

One of the set’s key components, the Circle Tool, addresses a longstanding challenge for artists seeking to master circles and arcs. The tool lets you easily draw as many as 112 circles of different diameters, using pencils, pens, and even thick markers. Three measuring scales built into this tool let you capture distances including metric and imperial linear distances for radii and diameters, or even measure circumferences with a length of up to 18 centimeters. Unlike any existing circle-master, this tool gives you mastery over radial lines too, as well as allows you to quickly make mandalas and other geometric patterns.

Extending the Circle Tool’s functionality is the Golden Ratio Tool Set, comprising the TG Tool and Triangle Tool – each brimming with functionalities designed to streamline the creative process. Imagine incorporating golden spirals, precise angle measurements, and a ruler seamlessly into your workflow – all within a single, portable, and user-friendly toolset.

The TG Tool is quite unlike anything you’ve ever seen before. Modeled on the shape of a golden spiral, the TG Tool gives you mastery over one of the oldest ratios based on the Fibonacci sequence found in nature. This sequence helps determine proportions and can be found in nature, architecture, art, and practically every phase of life. The golden ratio, roughly equal to 1.618, is a mathematical formula that embodies perfect balance and aesthetic appeal, frequently observed in nature and artistic masterpieces. Traditionally, achieving this ratio with freehand techniques has been a frustrating exercise, often requiring rulers, dividers, and a healthy dose of guesswork. The Exlicon L TG Tool eliminates this frustration. The ingenious tool comes with 3 spirals of 55.7, 51.7 & 47.4 mm radii, allowing you to draw spirals, plot details along the golden curve, make isosceles golden triangles, and even draw parabolic curves with sheer certainty.

Finally, the Triangle Tool enables the creation of a series of golden triangles, which are essential for designs that require rigorous proportionality and aesthetic alignment with the golden ratio. It features various marking groups that guide the user in drawing triangles starting from different base lengths, such as 60, 70, 80, 90, and 100 mm. Each marking group is distinctly designed—solid, hollow, and semi-circular—to facilitate easy identification and use, making this tool incredibly user-friendly and efficient for both professional designers and hobbyists aiming for precision in their creative endeavors.

You can either buy the set of three tools together, or choose an individual tool that you’re most likely to use often. Each tool is crafted from high-quality stainless steel, making them robust, sleek, and resistant to damage or corrosion. The Exlicon L starts at $26 for an individual tool of your choice, or you can bag the entire set of $79, with free shipping anywhere in the world.

Click Here to Buy Now: $26 $36 (27% off). Hurry, only 9/100 left! Raised over $47,000.

The post This Stationery Set Of The Future Unlocks Unique Opportunities For Designers And Artists first appeared on Yanko Design.