Tag Archives: japanese design

Zen garden pen brings a visual and tactile way to inspire mindfulness

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Pens, regardless of design, are almost always associated with productivity and creativity, in other words, activity. While you can use the writing instrument to clear your head and achieve a state of calm, that’s only after you’ve actively used it. Rarely does a pen by its mere appearance actually take you to that state, but that is exactly what this unique-looking pen tries to accomplish. Using not only visuals but also texture, this Japanese-made pen aims to help you become mindful of the present, even if only for a moment, taking inspiration from the easily distinguishable composition of a Zen garden, sand and stone and all.

Designer: Jacopo Drago (Zenical)

It’s almost miraculous how a dry landscape and a meticulous arrangement of stone in gravel or sand can nudge the mind into a meditative state. That, however, is the magic and science that Zen Buddhist monks have discovered and developed over centuries, combining contrasting elements, minimalist arrangements, and natural elements to design a space meant to inspire calm and maybe clear a few cobwebs inside the brain. The stillness of the rock standing amid the thin lines of movement drawn on gravel around it, the smoothness of the pebbles contrasting with the coarseness of the sand, and the presence of living trees or shrubs standing defiant on lifeless ground, all these elements work in harmony to take the mind for a peaceful journey.

These rock gardens have become so popular that a few people have miniature Zen gardens on shelves or even their desks, but they can neither take these with them wherever they go nor always have them available when they need to. The Zen Pen tries to bring that same experience to an even smaller scale by recreating the key elements of a Zen garden in a way that you can see and feel in your hand. A part of that is clearly seen in the 3D-printed grooves that snake around the barrel and the cap, easily reminiscent of the thin lines and circles drawn on a rock garden.

It doesn’t stop there, however. The clip, which is often regarded as a utilitarian element, also contributes to the composition. Its smooth, oval shape is like one of those rocks or pebbles lying on the gravel, and you can see the typical circles radiating from its position. That position is actually off-center, doubling down on the contrasting themes of balance and asymmetry associated with Zen gardens.

The Zen Pen isn’t just a visual treat but also a tactile one, thanks to the handiwork of skilled Japanese craftsmen utilizing modern technologies like 3D printing and milling. While the grip near the nib is smooth and plain in order to be comfortable to hold, the rest of the barrel and the cap feature this textured surface that delights the fingertips. And as many variations of fidget toys have proven, mindlessly stimulating those fingers, even just by gliding over those grooves, can also help stimulate the mind.

The post Zen garden pen brings a visual and tactile way to inspire mindfulness first appeared on Yanko Design.

Transform Your Cutting Experience with Scissors That Double as a Box Cutter

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How much does it take to change the world? Some people would immediately think of literally big world-changing events, but it’s actually the little steps taken each day that gradually build up to make a longer-lasting difference. The same is true for design, where some of the most significant improvements don’t have to be drastic or even conspicuous. Little improvements here and there all add up to a whole new experience that turns an everyday tool into a delightful encounter each and every time. Case in point are these sleek scissors that look almost alien in their form, bringing just the right amount of design innovation that not only makes it seem like a piece of equipment from the future, it even makes using the simple tool a delightful quest as you snip, slice, and cut through your tasks every day.

Designer: NIKKEN

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The most distinctive thing about these sleek scissors is their form. The drop-shaped handle is something you’ll rarely see in scissors, but it’s a small change that makes plain, boring shears look a little more interesting. Especially when those handles are made from transparent resin that, together with the organic shape, gives the scissors a unique character not unlike alien spacecraft. Of course, that alone isn’t enough to elevate the status of the tool, and indeed its biggest benefits are from things you can’t see but can definitely feel.

Many people use scissors as makeshift box cutters with often disastrous results, forced to precariously hold the tool with the blades wide open. The smart SEKI-TEX scissors avoid this dangerous situation by using a simple yet ingenious sliding mechanism to push one of the blades forward just a little bit while still keeping the rest of the scissors closed. This lets you swiftly and safely cut through the adhesives keeping the box shut like you would with an actual box cutter. And when you’re done, simply slide the blade back to its original position to keep your fingers and hands safe.

Given that use case as well as many other uses of the scissors, there is a real concern that the blades will eventually get covered in sticky sludge from these adhesives. As before, the solution is both simple and clever, coating the blades with fluorine to stop the sticky substances from building up in the first place. Now a simple wipe every now and then is all that it will take to keep the blades always sharp and ready to cut through work tasks.

Such an innovative design doesn’t come from the future and is, in fact, well-rooted in the past. Crafted by expert knife makers from the swordsmith town of Seki in Japan, these scissors are made with meticulous attention to detail, yielding excellent sharpness married to an exquisite and almost organic design. Whether you’re cutting paper or opening boxes, these sleek scissors promise to not only make each task feel effortless, they also add a bit of excitement to your daily work.

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The post Transform Your Cutting Experience with Scissors That Double as a Box Cutter first appeared on Yanko Design.

Modular electric minivan is inspired by puzzles for a more sustainable design

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Although electric cars are becoming more common, we’ve barely scratched the surface of what they’re capable of. Removing the need for traditional fuel and relying on batteries opens up new possibilities, and not just in terms of power sources. It can offer a bit more flexibility when it comes to the form and function of the vehicle, like cars with completely digital interfaces or screens all around. There might even be room for a modular design, as this concept for a tiny Japanese electric van tries to show, allowing the manufacturer or even the owner to switch out certain parts both outside and inside to match their needs, just like pieces of a puzzle.

Designer: HW Electro

To be fair, a modular car might be a bit far down the road considering the industry is hyper-focused on standardizing electric vehicles and making self-driving features more acceptable to the masses. That’s not to say that the design is a distant possibility only, especially when the features are made to be more practical rather than fantastical. Switching out panels is probably more feasible than switching out whole car parts or components, which is the kind of modularity that the Puzzle concept embodies.

At first glance, the boxy shape of the Puzzle will already look strange to those not used to so-called “Kei cars,” but this kind of van design is popular in Japan for striking a balance between large interior capacity and small compact size. It’s a design that screams practical efficiency, and making it modular is taking it to the next level. But unlike what you might be imagining, the Puzzle’s pieces, pardon the pun, are limited to swapping out certain panels at the sides, corners, and even inside. It’s a bit of a generic system that opens up quite a number of possibilities but, more importantly, it also doesn’t tie them down to a specific design or part. It also makes replacing damaged panels easier and more economical, something that you can only dream of with regular cars.

The Puzzle van also has secrets to reveal inside its extremely spacious cabin. The interior door panel has slots that make it possible to add and remove different modules, such as containers, cup holders, and the like. Even the dashboard has this kind of design, yielding a clean yet flexible space for expanding the van’s capabilities, especially in the infotainment aspect. The cargo space, which is practically a cube, is also more space-efficient for storing boxes and all sorts of large objects, making the EV a potential delivery vehicle.

Thanks to the boxy form of this Kei car, it’s possible to put a solar panel on the roof to really maximize its battery mileage. Modular and sustainable, the Puzzle minivan concept offers an extremely simple yet effective solution to the future of electric vehicles, one that espouses the Japanese spirit of minimalism and practicality where form clearly follows function.

The post Modular electric minivan is inspired by puzzles for a more sustainable design first appeared on Yanko Design.

Refined Kitchen Elegance Meets Precision in Top-Tier Meat Slicing Scissors

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When thinking of cutting up food, especially meats, most of us will probably think of very sharp and sometimes large knives, from chef’s knives to steak knives. While those are indeed the most common tools, they’re not always the most efficient. Chef’s shears or kitchen scissors are just as useful for cutting up not just meats but also any kind of ingredient. But just like their stationery counterparts, these kitchen tools are often made following a common design, easy to manufacture but not exactly the easiest to use. Fortunately, all it takes is some creative thinking and a deep connection to traditional craftsmanship to design a pair of kitchen shears that are not only a pleasure to hold but also a pleasure to behold.

Designer: Chiaki Murata

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Cutting up meat using scissors is admittedly not a common practice except for kitchen veterans, but not because it’s that useful. The reason is mostly because of convenience and effort when common kitchen scissors are not cut out for the job, pun totally intended. The common kitchen shears are pretty much just bigger, sharper, and edgier versions of your desk scissors, and not much more. They can cut through some meats, sure, but they don’t always make for an enjoyable experience, especially when the tool starts to get dull and look worn.

The Precision Chef Kitchen Scissors easily set itself apart not just with their looks but also with their performance. It is filled with design details that, at first glance, might look simply aesthetic but are actually carefully thought out to improve the tool’s usability. For example, the serrated cutting edge and curved blade are not just for show, though they definitely make the scissors look more interesting. They make it easier to slide the scissors under what you’re cutting and also prevent the material from sliding out accidentally.

The design of the hinge is also unique, larger than what you’d find even on most kitchen scissors. Because it is fully covered, however, it doesn’t get dirty as easily as other hinges. Along with the thick handles, these kitchen shears lie a bit elevated when placed horizontally on a table, creating a more hygienic design that prevents the blades from coming in contact with the surface. You can also make the scissors stand vertically and it will stay balanced and raise the blades away from the table’s surface. Whichever way you place it, the scissors remain easy to pick up, ready for your next food snip.

It doesn’t hurt that the mighty shears are handsome to boot. Made in Tsubame Sanjo, Niigata, Japan, the scissors take advantage of the region’s world-renowned expertise in metalwork and cutlery to craft such a fine specimen of a kitchen tool. The oxidation coloring method used to give the stainless steel body a distinct black luster also makes it impervious to discoloration after long periods of use. The oxide film even causes light to be reflected in different ways, creating the illusion of colors that add to the scissors’ charm. Whether you’re cutting meat for cooking, cutting chives for garnishing, or even cutting pizza to divide among yourselves, these elegant kitchen scissors promise to deliver a less stressful experience that also makes you look good in the process.

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