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 a pen designed to get you hooked into loving writing again to a multifunctional desk lamp that doubles up as a book holder + a magnetic clip-up board – these are the modern stationery designs you need to meet your modern stationery needs.
1. The Curva Pen
You can say goodbye to the common old pens, and bring your love for writing back to life with the Curva pen! The unique Curva pen features an unconventional hook-shaped nib, which allows you to angle the pen in whichever direction you like, giving you the freedom to write to the left, to the right, or even downward. This one especially sounds like a boon for all the lefties out there (like me)!
Why is it noteworthy?
The moment you take off its cap, it is immediately evident that Curva Pen isn’t your typical ink pen and that it has an interesting story to tell. The unconventional hook-like shape of its nib might raise eyebrows, but its patented design was carefully thought out to solve two of the biggest problems with pens. More often than not, your fingers and hands block what you’re writing, especially if you’re a leftie that has to push the pen rather than pull like what right-handed people do. This makes not just writing but also drawing more cumbersome and more frustrating for some people, denying them the pleasure and the liberating experience of putting their thoughts down on paper clearly.
What we like
- Renews our love for writing
- Provides left-handed individuals with enhanced visibility and accuracy
What we dislike
- No complaints!
2. Inder Pen
Designed by Rakha Singh, this stunning copper pen is the epitome of style, elegance, and functionality. Coined, the Inder pen, this delicate-looking yet sturdily built pen boasts an untreated copper surface, which over time will develop a patina – in either turquoise or a deep charcoal shade. So, every user will own a pen with a shade that is unique, and completely their own.
Why is it noteworthy?
The copper Inder Pen can grow with you, that is if you don’t carelessly misplace the pen as any of your other pens. Hopefully, the novelty of the pen and the price will make you more conscious and protective of your stuff. Anything from the Copper Collection can be powerful with its ability to kill 99.9% of bacteria in about a couple of hours. Now that’s something that may be really helpful these days, especially since the pandemic isn’t over yet.
What we like
- Interesting change from the usual gold and silver pens we’ve grown accustomed to
What we dislike
- Not everyone likes the presence of patina on their stationery
3. The Wooden Pen Holder
There’s something almost poetic about the act of picking up a brush or a fountain pen from an inkwell, drawing your strokes, and dipping it back in to be ready for when the next inspiration strikes, a feeling that’s almost lost even with the most elaborate and extravagant pens today. Not unless you have a pen holder that brings back that atmosphere, like a block of wood that could be the most Zen pen holder to ever adorn your desk.
Why is it noteworthy?
This wooden block is both unassuming and, at the same time, beautiful in its simplicity, as many minimalist products are wont to be. Made from genuine maple wood, each piece has grains and patterns that make it unique and special. Without saying explicitly, it’s an assurance that each black will be one of a kind, giving you the feeling that this pen holder was crafted just for you. Together with an equally stylish pen, this block transforms any desk into a thinker’s workbench, where the tools of the trade are just at an arm’s reach.
What we like
- The Wooden Pen Holder has a gently curving depression that can accommodate any pen with a standard size
- When you pick the pen up, you almost believe that the ink will also follow it up from an invisible well of ideas
What we dislike
- No complaints!
4. The Fruition
Saving money is something we all consistently work towards but do not always succeed in. There’s something about saving money that can hamper the discipline of even the most disciplined person in the world. The piggy bank has been a great way of saving coins, for ages galore, although let’s be honest – it’s gotten a tad bit boring, and is losing relevance in today’s world. The Fruition on the other hand is an innovative and revamped way to save your hard-earned money.
Why is it noteworthy?
Fruition is a coin bank that uses semiotics or signs and symbols to convey the idea and feelings related to patiently waiting for the fruit to grow. The interpretation is almost both literal and metaphorical, with the silicone bag holding the coins that will bear the fruit of saving up. And when the fruit is ripe or, in this case, full, it simply drops, ready to be harvested.
What we like
- Creates a positive psychological effect of saving money
- Features a tray that can be used to store clips, and other tiny miscellaneous items
What we dislike
- No complaints!
5. The Colored Curve Pens
Dual-tipped pens are something that have been around for a while and are quite universally liked. However, these Colored Curve Pens from Aechy go beyond your usual dual-tipped pens! 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
6. The HMM Scissors
Our workspaces are often littered with two kinds of things. On the one hand, you have tools designed to accomplish a task. On the other hand, you have decorative items designed to please the senses. Of course, there are now stationary and desk tools that are designed to hit two birds with one stone, especially those that embrace minimalist aesthetics that fit well in almost any situation. These scissors from popular brand HMM are designed to bridge those two worlds together, offering a tool that not only creates a sense of wonder but also inspires confidence in every snip.
Why is it noteworthy?
Just as with the tools mentioned above, scissors often come in two classes. One type is clearly designed for cutting away at your problems, while another type almost looks too pretty to be used. The HMM Scissors is definitely not the latter, with an aesthetic that clearly exudes its power. The wide and flat blades are almost reminiscent of industrial tools, and its black Japanese steel body gives off an aura of strength and durability.
What we like
- Flip the scissors and hold it by the blades, and you instantly have a box cutter
- A custom-made magnet lets the scissors stand upright with its sharp tip safely hidden inside the base
What we dislike
- No complaints!
7. Levitating Pen
Designed as what I assume is the world’s first and only ‘sci-fi’ pen, the pen is a marvel of engineering as it floats within its gravity-defying stand, looking almost like something out of an alien’s spaceship. The pen itself is a remarkable writing instrument, equipped with a Schmidt ballpoint cartridge for a smooth, luxurious writing experience, however, when you’re taking a break from writing, the pen doesn’t just simply go into a pencil case or a pen-stand.
Why is it noteworthy?
The pen comes with its own magnetic stand that allows it to rest in an inclined position with its tip touching the pen-stand, without tipping over. Magnets within the pen stand’s arc-shaped guardrail help the pen hover on its own, resting on just one point. The magnetic forces also cause the pen to gently sway up and down or even spin on its axis, resulting in an experience that feels metaphorically and literally out of this world!
What we like
- The pen’s wonderful interactive quality
- Spinning the pen in certain intervals can be a stress buster
What we dislike
- We wonder how ergonomic or comfortable would the pen be to use
8. The HMM Paperweight
This donut-shaped paperweight also doubles up as a penholder! Made from aluminum alloy, the accessory has 12 bevel faces. This intriguing design can keep your papers in space, and hold your pen!
Why is it noteworthy?
Paperweights are essential for our work desk, sometimes it is crucial to weigh things down! This is where the HMM Paperweight comes in! It features an appealing donut form, which makes it a decorative yet functional accessory. At the same time, it also functions as a penholder. The penholder measures 50mmx25mm, whereas the paperweight weighs 101g.
What we like
- Multifunctional design
What we dislike
- No complaints!
9. The Grovemade and Blackwing Pencil Kit
This innovative kit can keep pens always sharp for use. The two companies worked together on this unique collaboration to develop beautiful tools for work.
Why is it noteworthy?
The Grovemade and Blackwing Pencil Kit’s aesthetics are pleasing, providing something easy on the eyes. So if you see something nice and calming on your desk, you may be inspired to work, and that’s what the pencil kit can do. A kit consists of 12 custom pencils, a Walnut stand, and one sharpener.
What we like
- The pens already come with their own tip-protection and a sharpening system
- The pencils also come with a unique stand that keeps the objects vertical
What we dislike
- Unfortunately, you can’t buy the items separately as they come as part of a kit
10. The Holder Desk Lamp
The Holder Desk Lamp is an innovative desk lamp that doubles up as a book or document holder, AND a magnetic pin-up board to keep all your important notes and reminders in plain sight.
Why is it noteworthy?
As I explored more renders of this design it started to grow on me – thanks to its useful functionality, sans any complicated design blueprints that seem infeasible to craft in real life. The idea of this desk lamp is to extend the usability of the good old desk lamp just beyond beaming soft light onto the desk’s work area. That’s because, you won’t be using the desk light at all times, and to make better use of the accessory, a book holder and a rotating magnetic pin-up board are incorporated into the product.
What we like
- Holds all your books, journals, and important files in an organized manner
- The inside lining of the book holder section has a dotted texture to keep all the important stuff in place
What we dislike
- No complaints!
