Hasta La Ideas

What really makes a desk stand out to me 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 a minimal pen tray with adjustable knobs – these are the modern stationery designs you need to meet your modern stationery needs.

1. Everlasting All-Metal Pencil

This everlasting metal pencil is like a Wacom stylus, whose tip you never have to replace, and nor do you need to barely sharpen it! It’s the kind of pen that allows you to focus less on the lead and more on your creative process.

Why is it noteworthy?

At first glance, it looks like the all-metal cousin of the second-gen Apple Pencil, and that is almost an accurate assessment. The octagonal shaft is made of aluminum and houses a special alloy core. Knowing that, you might think that all it will do is leave heavy grooves on your paper, but your mind might be blown away when it draws like a real pencil without seeing the tip wear down even after dozens of marks.

What we like

• It uses metal for the core rather than the usual clay or charcoal, so it wears down so slowly that you might think your all-metal pencil will actually outlive you

What we dislike

• It doesn’t smudge or smear the way normal graphite does. That might be a bummer for those who use smudging techniques

2. The KNOB.

Designed by Changho Lee, the KNOB. is a clean, minimal, and sleek pen tray with rounded edges. It’s the kind of uber-cool and well-designed product that adds a whole ounce of personality and character to your desk.

Why is it noteworthy?

But despite its simple good looks, the KNOB. pen tray has quite a unique functionality. The pen tray was inspired by the knobs you find on a gas burner. Lee borrowed the design language of gas burner knobs, and replicated it in his tray creating a piece of stationery with intriguing-looking ‘control buttons’ or ‘knobs’.

What we like

• The knobs or multiport radar allow you to adjust the internal space of the pen tray

What we dislike

• It’s still a concept!

3. Mecricco Catch

Called Mecricco Catch, these elastic page-turning aids were created by Plus, and they allow you to turn your paper products with ease. The aids feature an outer rib, that enables you to hold the paper firmly, while the inner rib ensures that your fingers don’t slip while you’re flipping.

Why is it noteworthy?

There is also a concave curve at the bottom of the aid that lets you freely move your finger as you flip. You even get some holes that provide ventilation so your finger will have room to breathe.

What we like

• This is useful for those who have some sort of exquisite nail job that you need to protect even as you flip money or paper

What we dislike

• If you have gone completely digital, then this is something that you probably don’t need

4. LEGO Star-Lord Helmet Pen Stand

Launched just a week before the new Marvel movie Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.3 drops, this adorably functional build from LEGO also doubles up as a stationery holder and pen stand for your desk.

Why is it noteworthy?

The iconic headgear sits on a platform with a label underneath, measuring 7 inches in height and comprising 602 pieces. Even with as few bricks as that, the helmet looks impressively similar to the original, with everything from those red-tinted eyepieces to the valves on the face mask that helps Peter Quill breathe in outer space.

What we like

• It is a functional device, that helps you store things inside the helmet’s hollow space, including stationery, cables, or even EDC like your AirPods

What we dislike

• It is a niche product, only targetted towards LEGO lovers, so it won’t work for everybody

5. The Oakywood Wooden Cubic Pot

Designed to be a stylish and elegant addition to your workdesk, the Oakywood Wooden Cubic Pot can easily and efficiently store your stationery, or be used to pot some greenery. It features a cup holder to pot a mini-plant!

Why is it noteworthy?

The unique dual-purpose design of the pot makes it a functional and excellent addition to your desk space. It features a stainless-steel insert to protect the wood from moisture and dirt. The surface of the pot has been coated with eco-wax oil, making it smooth to the touch.

What we like

• Sustainable + fashionable design
• Minimal product with maximum functionality

What we dislike

• The aesthetics are a bit simple and unassuming

6. Work Fence

Designed by Changho Jeong, the Work Fence is an interesting modern-day symbolic partition that adds an element of amusement and whimsical fun to the hectic days of corporate employees.

Why is it noteworthy?

It is an intuitive and decorative object for your desk to add some fun to your monotonous office routines. It has a comical and light-hearted approach. The interesting work fences are designed to inform your co-workers and the people around you about your mood – it gives them a quick glimpse or notification about your status and mindset.

What we like

• Fences can be customized using letter plates to accurately convey your mood and state of mind

What we dislike

• It’s a concept!

7. Hexcal Studio

British company Hexcal created the Hexcal Studio desktop organizer, which aims to be the ultimate desktop organizer and workspace accessory you need!

Why is it noteworthy?

Designed to be a monitor stand and a desktop organizer, the Hexcal Studio attempts to eliminate clutter, hide wires and provide shadowless lighting. The goal is to create a neat, tidy, and destressing workspace where wires are smartly hidden, and multiple screens can be installed to support a conducive work environment.

What we like

• The organizer’s distribution system can support up to 14 devices, including those on AC, DC, and wireless power
• Its patented cable management system will make all your wires disappear, providing you with a wire-free desk

What we dislike

• Large + space-consuming design. It will take up a lot of space on your desk

8. Lifestyle Tool File Organizers

This rather ingenious organizer design comes in handy for your workdesk! From the outside and when they’re closed, they look like regular, nondescript file binders.

Why is it noteworthy?

Open them up, however, and you’ll see plenty of space for almost any kind of tool or supply. Simply pull one out using the typical ring hole, open it up, and you’ll have access to whatever you need to get the job done. It’s only a few steps more compared to reaching out for an open desk organizer but not much more compared to pulling out tools from a drawer.

What we like

• Made from hard paperboard, the organizers also offer a more sustainable solution to the growing number of plastic products sitting on your desk

What we dislike

• The design keeps the products hidden/away from sight, which is good for those who want a clean-looking setup but not for those who enjoy showcasing the products they have

9. The Scissors with Base

The Scissors with Base features wide, flat blades that echo industrial tools, and a black Japanese steel body that signifies durability. The stunning scissors perfectly merge minimalistic good looks with excellent functionality, in turn, creating a stationary design that you really need to get your hands on.

Why is it noteworthy?

The Scissors with Base are not a brutish tool that needs to be stowed away. Their simple design sets them apart from other desk items. The extruded part of one of the finger rings, or the “tang,” becomes a visual anchor that guides the gaze toward the scissors’ center, drawing attention to their sturdy blades.

What we like

• Doubles up as a box cutter
• Minimal + clean aesthetics

What we dislike

10. Colored Curve Pens

Dual-tipped pens are something that has been around for a while and are quite universally liked. However, these Colored Curve Pens from Aechy go beyond your usual dual-tipped pens! On one end of these pens lay down patterns to help decorate your notebook – patterns such as waves, heart roses, flowers, dots, and dashes.

Why is it noteworthy?

Basically what you get is a stamp-like roller that you can use for your journaling, doodling, drawing, scrapbooking, or any other paper-related tasks. The dual-tip markers come in 8 different colors and five mark line types.

What we like

• Helps the artistically challenged with drawing
• 40% more ink than the brand’s regular pens

What we dislike

• You can’t choose a specific color for a specific pattern so you’ll have to make do with the options that they have

The post Top 10 stationery designs for stationery lovers to add to their work desk first appeared on Yanko Design.

Graphic shapes and bold hues define the living spaces of this mid-terrace Edwardian home in east London, overhauled by architecture studio Office S&M.

Aptly named Graphic House, the playful renovation in Hackney makes use of colour and art deco forms that reflect the tastes of its graphic-designer owners.

Office S&M has used the variety of colours to define key moments throughout the house and to highlight the old and the new elements.

The project was recently shortlisted in this year’s Don’t Move, Improve! awards.

“In this project colours and shapes have been used to help define key moments throughout the house and tell a story about the building’s function and history,” said Office S&M co-founder Catrina Stewart.

“We drew upon the client’s belief in the power of graphics and love of art deco forms, using distinct shapes to connect spaces and bright colours to enhance every room,” she told Dezeen.

According to the studio, the house was in poor condition when the owners purchased it, meaning a substantial part of the build budget went towards repairing leaks, removing mould, and fixing holes in the roof.

The studio also made upgrades to the house’s external fabric to improve energy performance and reconfigured its internal layout.

On entering Graphic House, a hallway featuring pink plaster and refurbished ceramic tiles leads to the open-plan living and dining room, which is accented with lilac shelving and bright yellow radiators.

A mint green hue highlights several new elements on the ground floor, such as the curved walls of the bathroom, the cabinetry in the kitchen and the rear garden wall.

Existing walls that have been restored are left bare, with their pink plaster giving a nod to the house’s past and bringing warmth to the space. Meanwhile, a bright yellow is used to mark new window and door frames.

The art deco fireplace has been retained at the request of the owners, who also wanted to see its geometry reflected in the design of the house.

The curved features of the fireplace are echoed in the gentle sweep of the rounded kitchen island and the walls of the downstairs toilet, as well as in the large yellow-framed kitchen window overlooking the garden.

“The kitchen window also acts as a time marker, like the oculus in the dome of the Pantheon in Rome,” said Stewart.

“The circle of sunlight will track across the space, recording the passing of time and the seasons,” she continued. “When the circle first appears, it announces the beginning of spring, and its disappearance marks the start of winter.”

The kitchen at the rear of the house has worktops made from recycled plastic cutlery melted down to form a terrazzo-like finish.

Here, further pops of colour are introduced with furnishings, providing contrast to the mint green and plaster pink walls. This includes a curved red extractor hood and pendant lights.

On the first floor, the curves and colours continue in the new bathroom, which has a rounded shower enclosure featuring white tiles and yellow grout.

The approach to Graphic House’s interior spaces was, in part, informed by the work of artist Nathalie Du Pasquier, and the way in which she plays with colour and scale, said Office S&M.

This approach is reflected in the stairwell, where an oversized stair and large white-painted circles contrast with the pale blue and yellow staircase. Large circular mirrors reflect light from the skylight at the top of the stairwell.

“This merging of graphics and architecture, allows us to play with scale and depth in spaces, aimed at encouraging intrigue and discovery,” Stewart explained.

Office S&M is a London studio founded by Stewart and Hugh McEwan in 2013. It is known for its experimentation with colour and materials, as shown in its own own office, which features a plastic-bottle wall.

Previous projects include a millennial pink and mint-green house extension and a colourful renovation of a Georgian townhouse in Islington.

The photography is by French + Tye.

The post Office S&M uses colour and geometry to create Graphic House in London appeared first on Dezeen.

Dezeen’s editorial team has been named Team of the Year at the Professional Publishers Association‘s annual awards.

The editorial team at Dezeen was named the winner of prestigious Professional Publishers Association (PPA) award for its creation of “highly creative content” over the past year.

“Dezeen’s editorial team produces highly creative content, displays superb team work in and the face of the most trying of circumstances pulled together to produce record-breaking traffic and revenue growth,” said the judges.

The judges were impressed with Dezeen’s editorial series including our reinvestigation of the deconstructivism architectural style, which featured over 30 case studies, exclusive interviews and opinions.

As well as our week-long series focused on the impact of the 9/11 attack 20 years on and the groundbreaking Solar Revolution series focused on the power of the sun.

The award acknowledged Dezeen’s focus on creating more in-depth content including numerous interviews with designers and architects including Norman Foster, Iris van Herpen, Thomas Heatherwick and Balkrishna Doshi.

Dezeen’s editor Tom Ravenscroft and co-CEO Wai Shin Li collected the award on behalf of the Dezeen team at the PPA Independent Publishers Awards 2023 ceremony in London.

The win follows Ravenscroft being named Editor of the Year at the Association of Online Publishers‘ awards earlier this month.

The awards are the latest recognition for Dezeen’s editorial content. The brand was named Business Publication of the Year at the PPA’s annual awards and editorial brand of the year by the International Building Press last year.

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Scientists at the University of Manchester have developed a concrete-like material that could be made with extraterrestrial dust and used to build colonies on the moon and on Mars.

Named StarCrete, the conceptual construction material would be made from lunar or martian regolith and bound with salt and potato starch derived from the food of astronauts.

The first prototypes of the material have been created with salt, potato starch and “simulated Mars dust”, which is currently formed from volcanic rock.

According to the researchers, this combination gives rise to a material “twice as strong as ordinary concrete”, which makes it suitable for constructing buildings that could be used to protect humans from harsh conditions when living in outer space.

“We will need metres-thick walls and ceilings to protect future inhabitants of lunar and martian colonies from solar winds, cosmic rays and pea-sized meteorites travelling faster than bullets,” University of Manchester scientist Aled Roberts told Dezeen.

“StarCrete is ideal since it is easy to make, and the only ingredients are moon or Mars dust and a small amount of salt and starch, which we know we’ll have access to anyway to feed the astronauts.”

According to the StarCrete team, “building infrastructure in space is currently prohibitively expensive and difficult to achieve”.

StarCrete, therefore, aims to offer an affordable and accessible construction material for use in outer space, which can be made with minimal processing equipment when compared to traditional alternatives such as concrete.

The simulated Martian dust currently used in the development of the project is acquired from a specialist company and material manufacturer called Exolith Simulants.

It is made by blasting volcanic rock to form a fine powder, making what is understood to resemble regolith – the unconsolidated materials such as dust that covers bedrock – on Mars.

The current iteration of the product is composed of approximately five per cent potato starch and 95 per cent simulated Martian soil, along with a “pinch of salt”.

Tests on the prototype made with simulated Mars dust have found it to have a compressive strength of 72 megapascals, which is more than twice as strong as ordinary concrete that typically has a compressive strength of 32 megapascals, the team said. Meanwhile, a version it created with real moon dust had a strength of 91 megapascals.

Prior to using potato starch, the scientists at the University of Manchester were previously exploring how astronauts’ blood could be used as a binding agent.

The resulting material had a compressive strength of around 40 megapascals, but the use of blood made it a “less feasible” option.

“Since we will be producing starch as food for astronauts, it made sense to look at that as a binding agent rather than human blood,” explained Roberts.

Moving forward, Roberts said a goal of the project is to also find ways to use StarCrete as an alternative to concrete for buildings on Earth.

“Concrete accounts for about eight per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions, so if we could develop a low-carbon plant-based alternative such as StarCrete it could have a huge positive impact,” Roberts explained.

Another concrete-like material featured on Dezeen is Sea Stone. Developed by Newtab-22, it is composed of waste seashells salvaged from the seafood and aquaculture industries.

A team of scientists from Imperial College London developed Finite, a biodegradable construction material made from desert sand that is as strong as concrete but has half its carbon footprint.

The photography is courtesy of Aled Roberts.

The post StarCrete is a concrete-like material that could be made from extraterrestrial dust appeared first on Dezeen.

Hong Kong-based architect and interior designer André Fu has completed the first global flagship store for electronic accessory brand Casetify in Osaka, combining traditional Japanese shoji paper lanterns with bright colours.

The store, which marks the first retail project by Fu in Japan, was informed by the urban landscape of the Shinsaibashi neighbourhood in Osaka where the store is located.

According to Fu, the interiors aim to bring “the allure of the dynamic Shinsaibashi neighbourhood into the store”.

“The overall concept is rooted in a vision to celebrate the distinct context of the project with contrasting shapes and forms, capturing the neighbourhood’s cinematic streetscape in a world where bold geometries juxtapose against each other,” said Fu.

The storefront was designed as a floor-to-ceiling shoji lantern framed in bright orange. Customers are greeted by a round display table encircled by cylindrical shoji screens, with the same circular arrangement mirrored at the back of the store and its upper floor.

At the centre of the Casetify store sit cabinets that have been decorated with old phone cases, donated by customers in the recycling box located next to them.

A secret shoji window at the rear of the ground floor can be slid open to unveil customised online purchases.

“A lot of my work is rooted in the idea of a journey that takes the contextual quality of each project into an architectural medium,” Fu explained.

“The world of shoji lanterns that goes around you, that folds and unfolds, creates that effect,” he added.

“It transports you from the everyday reality of the neighbourhood to an imaginary, illusionistic expression that blends a relaxed sense of luxury with the popping Casetify colours that the brand is so well known for.”

Fu is known for his work on luxury hotels and restaurants, including the Upper House hotel in Hong Kong, the Berkeley London, and the Mitsui hotel in Kyoto.

More recently, he created a two-person “conversation” chair in collaboration with Louis Vuitton’s Objects Nomades, and furnished a model apartment inside the Jean Nouvel tower in New York with his homeware collection.

The photography is courtesy of Casetify.

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