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
