Tag Archives: analog

5 Gifts That Give Analog Joy in a Digital World

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Our days are choreographed by screens. Messages stack up, tabs multiply, and even downtime quietly dissolves into endless scrolling. Everything is fast, efficient, and slightly forgettable. The more our lives move into apps and feeds, the more special it feels to hold something real, weighty, and unconnected.

This gift guide is a small rebellion against that drift. Each of these five picks invites a different kind of analog joy. They ask you to press graphite into paper, light a real flame, wait for a print to develop, or sit with an entire album. None of them need notifications to feel important. They just need a little bit of your time and attention.

Everlasting All‑Metal Pencil

The Everlasting All‑Metal Pencil is what happens when a humble everyday tool is treated like a piece of precision hardware. It looks and feels like a machined object from a design studio, not a disposable stick from a stationery aisle. There is no wood to sharpen and no plastic to crack, just a single, solid body that quietly asks to live on your desk for years.

Using it turns quick notes and margin doodles into a small ritual. The cool touch of the metal, the balance in your hand, and the clean line it leaves on the page all slow you down just enough. It is perfect for designers, architects, and notebook addicts who want something permanent in a world of temporary browser tabs. As a gift, it is that rare thing that feels both minimal and deeply considered.

Click Here to Buy Now: $19.95

What We Like

  • Feels premium and durable.
  • Eliminate the need for sharpening.

What We Dislike

  • May feel heavier than a regular pencil.
  • Lacks the nostalgic ritual of shaprpening, which some analog purists actually enjoy.

Japanese Drawing Pad

A good analog tool deserves equally good analog paper. The Japanese Drawing Pad is the quiet counterpart to the all‑metal pencil, turning loose thoughts into something you can literally flip through. Every sheet becomes a small stage for sketches, diagrams, or half‑formed ideas that would disappear instantly if they were typed into a notes app.

There is a tactile pleasure in the way the pages bend, stack, and curl over time. The pad looks clean and intentional on a desk, yet it is never precious enough to intimidate. You can fill it with messy thumbnails or careful lettering and it will still feel right. Paired with the metal pencil, it becomes a complete thinking kit, ideal for anyone who likes to step away from their screen and see ideas spread out in front of them.

Click Here to Buy Now: $26.00

What We Like

  • High-quality paper enhances the feel of drawing and writing.
  • Encourages analog thinking and sketching habits.

What we dislike

  • Not ideal for people who prefer lined or heavily structured pages.

Fire Capsule Oil Lamp

The Fire Capsule Oil Lamp is analog joy in its purest form. It does one thing beautifully. It gives you a small, living flame in a world of harsh LEDs and backlit everything. Lighting it becomes a tiny ceremony at the end of the day. You strike a match, watch the wick catch, and feel the room shift as the glow softens edges and slows your thoughts.

Its capsule‑like form makes it as much an object of design as a source of light. Metal and glass work together to frame the flame so it looks almost suspended inside the silhouette. Even when it is not lit, it reads as a sculptural accent on a shelf or bedside table. Give it to someone who loves reading at night, journaling by hand, or simply reclaiming a corner of their home from the blue light of their phone.

Click Here to Buy Now: $89.00

What we like

  • Creates a warm, calming atmospher.
  • Simple, analog operation turns lighting into a relaxing daily ritual.

What we dislike

  • Invoices an open flame, which requires caution.
  • Can leave a faint scnet or residue if low-quality oil is used.

Fujifilm Instax Mini 41

The Fujifilm Instax Mini 41 brings back the thrill of waiting for a photo to appear in your hands. It has the retro charm of an instant camera, yet it is tuned for the way people actually shoot now. You frame the shot, click, and a small print slides out, slowly revealing the moment you just captured. There are no filters, no retakes, and no algorithm deciding whether this memory deserves likes.

Its design leans into nostalgia without feeling like a toy. The body has a familiar, friendly shape, while the updated features make it easier to capture better selfies and group shots. It is the perfect gift for someone who lives on social media but is starting to crave something they can stick on a wall, tuck in a wallet, or leave on a fridge. Over time, the little prints become a physical timeline that no feed can quite match.

What we like

  • Produces instant physical prints.
  • Modern features make it easier to capture better selfies and group shots.

What we dislike

  • Requires ongoling purchases of film.
  • Bulky compared to a phone camera.

PARON III

The PARON III is the most dramatic expression of analog joy in the lineup. It hides its turntable mechanism inside an incredibly sleek shell, so at first glance it looks more like a minimalist sculpture than a piece of audio gear. That visual restraint sets the tone for the entire listening experience. When you use it, you are not just putting on background noise. You are starting a small performance.

Playing a record on it is deliberately slower than tapping a playlist. You slide the vinyl from its sleeve, place it carefully, and commit to at least one full side. That constraint is exactly what makes it feel special. The clean lines and reduced visual clutter let it blend into modern interiors while still acting as a focal point when the music starts. As a gift, it is a statement. It is for the person who loves sound, sleeve art, and the idea that listening should sometimes be a single, undistracted act.

What we like

  • Turns listening to musicinto a deliverate, immersive ritual.
  • Premium design makes it a striking centerpeice.

What we dislike

  • Less convenient than streaming for casual listeners.

Find the Gift That Slows Their World Down

Analog gifts are not about pretending the digital world does not exist. They are about carving out small islands of slowness inside it. The Everlasting All‑Metal Pencil and Japanese Drawing Pad belong with the person who fills notebooks faster than hard drives. The Fire Capsule Oil Lamp suits the night owl who wants to unwind without another screen. The Fujifilm Instax Mini 41 is for the memory‑maker who wants a real stack of photos. The sleek vinyl player is for the listener who knows albums by heart and wants a reason to sit down and hear them properly.

Choose the gift that fits the ritual they already have or secretly want. Each of these objects asks for nothing more than a few quiet minutes and a pair of hands. In return, they give something the digital world still struggles to deliver. They give weight, texture, and the kind of small, analog moments people remember long after the latest app update fades.

The post 5 Gifts That Give Analog Joy in a Digital World first appeared on Yanko Design.

Why This Alarm Clock Might Actually Make You a Morning Person

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Let’s be real: most of us have a complicated relationship with our alarm clocks. When I say most of us, I mean me. It’s my least favorite necessary thing even though it’s just basically on my phone . I get jolted awake with aggressive beeps, sometimes it glows too brightly in the dark, and honestly, they’re not exactly objects we want to look at or hear first thing in the morning.

But what if your alarm clock could actually make waking up feel less like a punishment and more like a gentle invitation to start your day? That’s exactly what The Real Objects, a Milan-based design studio, seems to be thinking with their latest concept, Alarm O’clock. And yes, that apostrophe is intentional, giving it a playful Irish lilt that already makes it more charming than your phone’s default alarm.

Designer: The Real Objects

The design is described as “a bedside companion designed to bring calm, clarity, and personality to the way we wake up,” and I’m here for it. Because let’s face it, we spend way too much time thinking about productivity hacks and morning routines while completely ignoring the object that literally defines how our day begins.

From what I can see, Alarm O’clock isn’t trying to be smart or connected or packed with features you’ll never use. Instead, it looks like it’s going back to basics, but with a thoughtful, contemporary twist. The Real Objects describes it as blending “light, sound, and simplicity into one object,” which honestly sounds like exactly what we need in a world where everything is trying to do a million things at once.

There’s something refreshingly analog about this approach. While everyone else is using their phones as alarm clocks (guilty), we’re also scrolling before bed and checking notifications the second our eyes open. Having a dedicated alarm clock means you can actually leave your phone in another room, which sleep experts have been begging us to do for years.

The Real Objects was co-founded in Milan in 2024 by designers who are “dedicated to pushing the boundaries of product design.” But pushing boundaries doesn’t always mean adding more tech or making things more complicated. Sometimes it means rethinking everyday objects and asking why they’ve been designed the way they have.

What strikes me about Alarm O’clock is that it seems to prioritize the experience over the function. Yes, it needs to wake you up, but how it wakes you up matters. The emphasis on “calm” and “clarity” suggests this isn’t going to be one of those alarms that sounds like a fire drill. And the mention of light integration hints at something closer to a sunrise alarm, which studies have shown can make waking up feel more natural.

The design itself appears minimal and sculptural, the kind of object that could sit on your nightstand without feeling like a piece of electronics invading your bedroom. In an era where we’re all trying to make our spaces feel more intentional and less cluttered with gadgets, that matters more than you might think. I love that they’re calling it a “bedside companion” rather than just an alarm clock. It’s a small word choice, but it signals a different philosophy. Your bedside table is intimate space. It’s the last thing you see before sleep and the first thing you see when you wake up. The objects there should feel like they belong, not like they’re just functional necessities you tolerate.

There’s also something to be said for designers who focus on the rituals of daily life. We get excited about revolutionary new products, but the truth is, the objects that actually improve our lives are usually the ones that make ordinary moments a little bit better. Waking up is one of those moments we experience every single day, and yet most of us haven’t thought critically about how we could make it better. Will Alarm O’clock change your life? Probably not. But could it make your mornings feel a little more human, a little less jarring? Absolutely. And in a world where we’re all trying to figure out how to have healthier relationships with technology, that feels like a step in the right direction.

The post Why This Alarm Clock Might Actually Make You a Morning Person first appeared on Yanko Design.

When Slower Actually Means Better: The RAW Camera Concept

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We take thousands of photos on our phones without thinking twice. Snap, scroll, forget, repeat. But here’s a wild thought: what if a camera literally forced you to slow down? That’s exactly what designer Seulgi Kim is exploring with RAW, a pinhole camera concept that’s part time machine, part meditation device, and entirely about reclaiming something we’ve lost in the digital age.

The name RAW works on two levels. First, it means “unrefined,” which perfectly captures the camera’s back-to-basics philosophy. Second, it references RAW image files in photography, those unprocessed originals that contain all the data before any digital manipulation happens. It’s a clever double meaning that sets up everything this concept is about: stripping away the excess to get back to what photography actually is.

Designer: Seulgi Kim

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Normally we can shoot a hundred photos in seconds with our phones but RAW does something almost rebellious. It uses a pinhole aperture instead of a lens, which means each exposure takes several seconds or even minutes to complete. You can’t rapid-fire shots. You can’t casually capture every moment. Instead, you have to stand there with your subject, waiting, observing, really seeing what’s in front of you. It’s the photographic equivalent of choosing to walk instead of drive, not because you have to, but because you want to notice things along the way.

What makes RAW fascinating beyond its function is how Kim translated traditional Korean architecture into its design language. This isn’t just aesthetic borrowing; it’s a thoughtful connection between two forms of slowness and intentionality. Traditional Korean architecture embodies what Kim calls “the aesthetics of slowness,” where every element reflects careful consideration of space, time, and human presence. Those principles shaped buildings that have stood for centuries, and now they’re informing how we might think about capturing a single photograph.

Look at the curved panel on the camera’s side. It’s directly inspired by the gentle curves of traditional Korean roof tiles, which were designed to protect houses from rain and wind. But here, that curve serves a completely modern purpose: it prevents slipping and creates a comfortable, stable grip. It’s functional heritage design at its best, where historical wisdom solves contemporary problems.

Then there’s the twelve-sided dial on top of the camera, which controls exposure time. In traditional Korean architecture, polygonal structures weren’t decorative flourishes; they provided stability and balance. Kim applies that same geometric logic to the timer dial, creating something that ranges from B (Bulb mode) through various seconds up to 30 minutes. That dodecagonal shape makes it intuitive to read and adjust your exposure settings at a glance. The design literally transforms time into something you can touch and see.

At the camera’s front, an octagonal hood acts as the window for incoming light. It’s not just there to look cool (though it does). The hood directs light rays evenly into the body and minimizes glare, ensuring balanced exposures. Every geometric choice serves both form and function, creating what Kim describes as “harmonious balance” between mechanical precision and traditional aesthetics.

The whole package comes in matte black with subtle mint-green accents on the shutter button and side controls. There’s a minimalist viewfinder on top and a woven camera strap that adds tactile warmth to the technical precision. When you see the camera disassembled in one of the concept photos, all those gears and components laid out like an exploded diagram, it drives home just how much mechanical thought went into something designed to be analog in a digital world.

What’s really striking about RAW is how it challenges our relationship with image-making in 2025. We’ve reached a point where our phones can computationally enhance photos before we even press the shutter. AI can generate entire images from text prompts. Photography has become almost too easy, too fast, too disposable. Kim isn’t saying technology is bad; she’s asking what we lose when everything becomes instant.

The pinhole camera format forces a different kind of presence. When you need minutes to capture a single frame, you can’t be casual about it. You have to choose your subject carefully, consider the light, commit to the moment. That extended exposure time becomes a form of meditation, a way of connecting with what you’re photographing that simply isn’t possible when you’re machine-gunning through dozens of shots. RAW proves that sometimes the most innovative design move is stepping backward. By reaching into centuries-old architectural wisdom and combining it with one of photography’s oldest techniques, Kim has created something that feels genuinely fresh. It’s a camera that doesn’t just take pictures. It changes how you see.

The post When Slower Actually Means Better: The RAW Camera Concept first appeared on Yanko Design.

Lemokey Keyboard With Analog Keys Triggers 4 Actions Per Press

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The mechanical keyboard market has split into factions that rarely speak to each other. Gaming boards chase millisecond advantages with features most people will never configure, while design-focused options prioritize clean lines at the expense of functionality. Premium keyboards exist in both categories, but they seldom bridge the gap between looking appropriate in a minimalist workspace and delivering the kind of technical depth that competitive players actually use.

The Lemokey L1 HE addresses this gap with a CNC-milled aluminum chassis that weighs nearly two kilograms and looks deliberate rather than flashy. Available in white with yellow accents, black, or silver, the 75% layout includes macro keys and a programmable roller on the left side that defaults to volume control but accepts custom assignments. The metal construction and clean lines work on desks where aesthetics matter.

Designer: Lemokey (Keychron)

The switches underneath are where things get interesting. Gateron’s double-rail magnetic switches use Hall Effect sensors instead of physical contact points, which sounds technical until you realize what it enables. Every key’s activation point adjusts from feather-light to deliberate across a 3.6mm range. Set your movement keys to hair-trigger sensitivity. Configure typing keys deeper so resting fingers don’t accidentally fire off characters. The keyboard adapts to how you work rather than forcing adaptation the other way.

Press a key partway, and one action triggers. Press deeper, and a different command fires. Deeper still, another. Release at the right depth and a fourth activates. This isn’t theoretical; it changes how certain games and workflows operate once you stop thinking in binary keypresses. Walking versus running becomes pressure instead of separate keys. Multi-key shortcuts collapse into single presses with varying depth. Finger gymnastics get replaced by pressure control.

Switching to analog mode turns the keyboard into something closer to a controller. Racing games suddenly respond to how deeply you press acceleration keys, not just whether they’re pressed at all. The magnetic switches detect these pressure variations smoothly enough that steering feels genuine rather than approximated. People who prefer keyboards over controllers gain functionality that previously required switching input methods entirely.

The web-based configurator runs through any modern browser without installation, working identically across operating systems. Remapping happens quickly. Macros are built through straightforward menus. The keyboard connects wirelessly at 1000Hz polling for gaming or switches between three Bluetooth devices for productivity. Battery lasts long enough that charging becomes a weekly task rather than a daily concern.

Typing produces sounds that feel dampened and substantial rather than hollow or sharp. Multiple foam layers and gasket mounting create that quality, along with stabilizers that keep larger keys smooth. The double-shot PBT keycaps handle daily wear without developing shine, and the metal body prevents any flex during aggressive typing sessions. RGB lighting exists but stays subdued enough not to dominate the aesthetic.

The L1 HE occupies unusual territory between gaming keyboards and professional boards. It delivers rapid trigger modes and analog control alongside a build quality and appearance that work in spaces where RGB unicorn vomit would draw complaints. The programmable roller, magnetic switches, and four-action keys make it technically ambitious, while the design keeps it visually restrained.

The post Lemokey Keyboard With Analog Keys Triggers 4 Actions Per Press first appeared on Yanko Design.

10 Best Analog Desk Essentials Designed To Maximize Small Workspaces

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In a world where technology reigns supreme, and we cannot survive without our digital tools simple analog desk accessories are often ignored. But they do have an undeniable charm and straightforward utility that cannot be overlooked. If you’re someone who has to deal with the constraints of a small workspace or compact desk, then these timeless tools can be a complete lifesaver for you. A collection of well-designed and functional analog desk supplies can create an efficient, organized, and conducive work environment for you. Irrespective if you’re a remote worker, office worker, or student, the right selection of analog accessories can help you maximize your compact workspace to the best. We’ve curated a collection of 10 essential analog desk accessories for you, that will convert your crampy workspace into a comfortable and conducive work environment.

1. Cork Boards and Sticky Notes

Corkboards are always a wonderful addition to a compact workspace since they’re ideal for pinning notes and important reminders. And if they’re portable, they’re all the better, as they can be easily moved or mounted. Portable cork boards function as flexible spaces to neatly organize your thoughts and pin up important information. Today you can even find compact cork boards with multiple functions, allowing them to serve as more than one useful product. Cork boards also can add some character and warmth to your desk.

The sPINmemo Lamp

Named the sPINmemo lamp, this unique lamp combines traditional lamps and multifunctional designs to create an innovative and space-saving solution. Besides lighting up your workdesk, it features a rotating cork body that serves as a unique cork board. You can personalize the cork section with notes, reminders, and photos. It is an interactive element of the lamp, which offers a platform to pin your notes and thoughts. The concealed cavity on top of the lamp can also store your small items, making this a true gem for your small workspace.

What we like

  • The rotating feature ensures your notes and reminders are easily accessible
  • Aesthetically-pleasing design

What we dislike

  • The surface available for pinning is a bit limited, which may be inadequate for some users

2. Multi-Functional EDC for Desk

Tools with multiple functions are a godsend in a compact workspace. If you’re looking to add such tools to your arsenal, you may want to add multi-functional scissors to the list. Multi-functional scissors are pretty essential since they merge cutting capabilities with some additional useful features. They perform their basic duty of cutting but also double up as bottle openers, box cutters, screwdrivers, and more. This makes them versatile products, which eliminate the need for multiple tools, ensuring space is saved, and your desk is organized.

Cut & Slice Scissors

Dubbed the Cut & Slice Scissors, this nifty desk accessory features a sliding mechanism, which pushes one of the blades ahead, creating a handy box cutter, which offers a smooth cutting process. It is equipped with an easy-to-use sliding mechanism, which makes using the cutter a breeze, and also pretty safe to store. You can utilize the scissors handle as a blade handle as well.

Click Here to Buy Now: $29

What we like

  • The scissors have an innovative form with drop-shaped handles in transparent resin
  • Prevents sticky residue from building up, since the blades are coated with fluorine

What we dislike

  • The blade isn’t easily replaceable

3. Whiteboards for brainstorming

When you’re setting up a workspace, a whiteboard is a must-have. It is a versatile tool that is excellent for brainstorming, streamlining your thoughts, and organizing your goals and tasks. Portable and compact versions are great for small spaces, and also great for carrying them with you if you’re working outside the office. These whiteboards occupy minimal space, freeing up desk space for other products and tasks. A whiteboard is often beneficial since it provides a larger writing surface as compared to a notebook or diary. This will help you in properly planning and visualizing your tasks.

Personal Whiteboard

Quite rightly called the Personal Whiteboard, since it has a cute and compact size that makes it easy to use, especially in a small workspace, this unique whiteboard is the perfect product for taking notes and jotting down what’s important. Its easy-to-carry design ensures you can take it with you if you leave the office as well. It features an eraser, letting you easily write things down, erase them, and then write again!

Click Here to Buy Now: $49.00

Personal Whiteboard

What we like

  • Equipped with a Mag Force system
  • Portable design that is no hassle to carry around

What we dislike

  • You cant use a permanent marker on it, only a dry-erase or whiteboard pen

4. Planters to add some Life

Our work desks can often get mundane and dreary, and adding a touch of green works wonders to elevate aesthetics and the work environment. Mini, fun-sized planters are perfect for small desks. These little plant holders add an element of nature to your workspace, without occupying too much space. They’re great at holding small plants like succulents or air plants, and these require minimum maintenance. Adding plants to your workspace can improve quality, elevate your mood and productivity, and bring down stress. They serve as a refreshing element, that will spruce up your desk and mood.

Grovemade Wood Planter

A great way to add green to your desk is by incorporating the Grovemade Wood Planter. It includes a detachable, stainless steel liner cup made from solid walnut or maple hardwood. You can choose between black walnut or hard rock maple hardwood. The planters are available in three sizes – long, wide, and short. Pick the size that suits your working space, and your indoor planter will perfectly fit in.

What we like

  • The planters are meticulously handmade
  • Available in three different sizes

What we dislike

  • There are no drainage holes, which creates the risk of overwatering

5. Miniature Clocks

Analog clocks make for classic, functional, and elegant additions to your desk setup. And the miniature versions are an ideal match for smaller desks. Compact little clocks offer a glance at the time, without the hassle of getting distracted by your digital gadgets. Having a clock helps you manage time better, and eliminates the temptation of checking your phone for the time, which can get you distracted and lead to some doom scrolling on Instagram. A well-designed analog clock can also add some style and elegance to your desk.

Rolling World Clock

Named the Rolling World Clock, this one-hand device doesn’t simply tell the time of your city, but different countries as well. It is a boon if you work on international time, helping you deal with different clients in different time zones. It has a clean and sleek ethos, which allows it to serve as a visually pleasing addition to your compact workdesk.

Click Here to Buy Now: $49.00

What we like

  • Reduces the need to check your phone for the time
  • Makes time-telling a simple and joyful affair

What we dislike

  • The clock only includes 12 time zones, so you will need to calculate the time zones outside the clock’s interface

6. Space-Saving Pen Holders

A sleek and compact pen holder is important for your desk. It ensures your pens and other writing tools are organized and easily accessible. Choosing a vertical and space-saving design can ensure that precious real estate isn’t occupied by it. If you pick the right pen holder, it will keep your pens organized and tidy, ensuring they don’t roll off your desk or get lost easily. A well-designed pen holder also adds an aesthetic and sleek element to your desk space.

Serenity Pen Stand

Named the Serenity Pen Stand, this unique pen holder has a compact and minimal form with a lovely metallic touch. It offers easy and constant access to your pen, safeguarding it, and never letting you lose track of it. It is built from aluminum and copper and features a well-balanced cylinder. The aesthetically pleasing and space-saving pen stand adds a dash of color and character to your sturdy desk.

Click Here to Buy Now: $39

What we like

  • Features a heavy copper bottom which provides it with a stable form
  • Sleek, minimal, and aesthetically pleasing design

What we dislike

  • Pretty small in size, so you may misplace the pen stand if you’re careless

7. Pens and More Writing Instruments

Working in a small workspace, you need everything to be small and sleek. You need reliable and elegant writing tools. If you choose sleek pens, you’re in for a treat, since they merge functionality with a sophisticated design, making them an excellent addition to your workdesk. These pens make your writing experiences smooth and seamless while adding some elegance and charm to your desk. Since they’re sleek and streamlined, they occupy minimum space and are also easily accessible.

Stilform INK

Say hello to Stilform INK, this award-winning fountain pen features a unique self-aligning cap and a brand-new mechanism. The new version is made in DLC-coated aluminum. By giving the cap a simple twist, it automatically gets pushed off by a strong magnetic force, making the pen pretty easy to handle. Since the pen features a unique magnetic closure, the distinctive flat sides along the pen will always align perfectly.

What we like

  • It also serves as a fidget toy
  • Offers the most comfortable holding position

What we dislike

  • The magnetic mechanism may not appeal to everyone, certain users may want the traditional click or twist mechanisms

8. Compact Notebooks & Journals

Note-taking is something we have now confined to digital note-taking apps, but there is something truly therapeutic and powerful about using a pen and paper to jot down your thoughts and ideas. The mundane yet humble notebook is always an excellent choice to note down your thoughts and create a streamlined vision. A notebook that is compact yet sturdy is a great option to add to your arsenal of analog desk accessories. Not to mention, writing by hand encourages creativity, and improves memory retention, ensuring you don’t forget important details and points.

The Passion Planner

Say hello to the Passion Planner – the one space for all your thoughts and ideas. The Passion Planner isn’t simply an ordinary notebook, it goes one step ahead – it includes an appointment calendar, goal-setting guide, sketchbook, journal, and personal and work-to-do list. It was created keeping your personal goals and passions in mind, allowing you to create the ideal balance between personal reflection, goal setting, and functionality. It has a slim all-black aesthetic ensuring it occupies minimal space which is what you need in a small workspace, and merges with any kind of desk aesthetic.

What we like

  • Equipped with a durable and low profile soft faux leather cover with an elastic enclosure strap

What we dislike

  • The visioning place of the notebook is a tad bit small
  • The design of the planner may be a bit boring for those who prefer more colorful aesthetics

9. Multi-Functional Desk Organizers

Maintaining a neat workspace can often be difficult, but this is where multi-functional and nifty desk organizers come in. These organizers often feature multiple compartments which hold and organize your different belongings. A handy desk organizer can carefully segregate and store your pens, paper clips, sticky notes, etc. Organizers are great at reducing clutter and ensuring you find what you need with ease, so you don’t need to worry too much about losing your favorite stationery items.

Inbox Tray Trio

Named the Inbox Tray Trio desk organizer, this aesthetic-looking flexible leather organizer includes multiple leather trays that will organize your desk, while adding some style to it. Designed by hardgraft, each tray features a leather and felted wool insert or lid that can be utilized as dividers. It allows you to place important notes and letters at the bottom, and store paper clips and pens on the top, providing plenty of storage space, which is a boon for small workspaces.

What we like

  • Features small trays to hold the tiny accessories and tools
  • Made using stunning vegetable-tanned leather

What we dislike

  • An expensive price point, that may not be preferred by the budget-conscious customer

10. Foldable Lamps

When you’re working at a desk, proper lighting is extremely important. As useful as traditional desk lamps can be, they almost always occupy a significant amount of space. To ensure most of your desk space isn’t occupied by your lighting of choice, you can opt for foldable lamps. Foldable lamps offer sufficient lighting, without taking up much space on your desk. A foldable lamp will reduce your eye strain, and enhance your focus while giving you the luxury to adjust it to cater to your different working requirements. Foldable lamps are also portable, which is useful if you often work remotely.

R9 Desk Lamp

The R9 Desk lamp is created especially for creative individuals and designers. It provides precise lighting, especially in circumstances where natural light is limited. It features adjustable custom-made LEDs, which offer precise color rendering and versatile illumination, which is much-needed for detailed artwork. It features a lightweight and foldable design, which is great for small workspaces, as it doesn’t occupy much real estate.

What we like

  • Users can customize the lighting to their preferences
  • Offers exceptional color accuracy

What we dislike

  • It is a niche product intended for artists and creative professionals, and may not cater to the general users

The post 10 Best Analog Desk Essentials Designed To Maximize Small Workspaces first appeared on Yanko Design.

Gudetama 35mm camera lets you embrace basic analog photography

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Gudetama is one of my favorite Sanrio characters as I find that I relate a lot to it even though it’s an anthropomorphic egg yolk. I’ve watched its “Eggcelent Adventures” on Netflix and I also collect various stationary stuff featuring this lazy ennui-filled cute egg. I’m not alone in this obsession as the character has 852,000 followers on Instagram and has probably sold a lot of Sanrio merch as well.

Designer: Retrospekt for Sanrio

Another Gen Z thing that has been trending lately is a throwback to 35mm digital cameras. And no one does retro tech products better than Retrospekt. Their latest collaboration with Sanrio is the limited edition Gudetama Restrospekt FC-11 35mm Film Camera which has the egg yolk character on center stage, or rather, center camera. The camera has a silicone lens cap and the body has faux leather artwork with the different Gudetama versions.

It is a pretty simple point-and-shoot camera with a 1m fixed-focus lens and built-in optional flash. All you have to do is look through the viewfinder, line up your shot, press the shutter button, and then get your 35mm film developed in your favorite film developing shop. It’s just like any other 35mm film camera except you have the Gudetama butt staring at you when you look into the viewfinder.

The camera has a 200-400 ISO with a 31mm f/9 lens and 1/120 second shutter speed. It’s pretty light as it only weighs 122g and may even be lighter than your smartphone. It’s pretty cute that kids these days are enjoying taking analog photos and having cute cameras like this one adds to the appeal.

The post Gudetama 35mm camera lets you embrace basic analog photography first appeared on Yanko Design.

Sidekick Notepad is a simple writing tool for the digital/analog hybrid workers

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Over the years I have learned to embrace a digital + analog hybrid workflow process. While most of my work goes straight to the computer, tablet, or mobile phone that I’m working on at the moment, I still like having a pen and paper with me at all times to jot down things I’m thinking about or things I need to do. There’s something therapeutic about writing it down rather than just typing it out so products that can give me that convenience are always welcome.

Designer: Cortex

The Sidekick Notepad is basically a writing pad where you can jot things down while having a meeting or while doing your normal, every day tasks. It is designed to fit either above or under your keyboard and is meant to be your “sidekick” if you’re like me that sometimes likes to put her to-do list on paper rather than on pixels. There’s a section to put the date, a huge section for notes, and then on the side, there’s a to-do list section with checkboxes so it’s easier to tick things off.

It’s not meant to be like a journal where you keep it even after the tasks or notes have served their purpose. It’s a tear-away kind of pad where you can just tear it off and then throw it (or compile it somewhere else if that’s your thing). You can also scan your notes for posterity and then save it on your preferred notes app. It doesn’t seem to have a dedicated app that can automatically scan and store things for you so you have to do it the manual way.

The Sidekick Notepad has 60 pages of Munken Lynx paper so if you run out, you’ll have to buy a new notepad since it’s not refillable. The cover is made from something called “Extract”, a paper made from recycled coffee cups. This adds another layer of things that I love so this product seems to be created especially for people like me who still can’t let go of the analog stuff.

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Kodak Super 8 film camera revival is finally happening but there’s a huge catch

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The Super 8 film camera has become an important part of photography history, particularly when it comes to cinematography. The distinctive design of the camera and its unique format inspired many amateurs who would later become industry veterans, and that legacy is fondly remembered and even commemorated in a 2011 movie bearing the camera’s very name. Not long after that film was released, Kodak, whose name has become closely associated with the camera, announced a new version of this beloved camera that sticks true to its unique analog experience while adding a few digital conveniences. Almost 8 years later, that camera might finally be ready to roll, but it seems that very few fans will actually be able to get their hands on it.

Designer: Kodak

The Super 8 camera can probably be credited for giving birth to home movies that are now made using smartphones. Making motion picture cameras more accessible to the masses helped aspiring moviemakers get started without having to burn through their savings. Although Super 8 cameras are actually still available today, they are already considered vintage by today’s standards, especially because of their use of physical film. That said, a faithful Super 8 successor won’t be able to win hearts unless it also stays true to that format and medium.

That’s exactly what Kodak was going for when it revealed plans to upgrade the Super 8 camera back in 2016 at CES. It would still be a film camera like its predecessors, but it would add a few convenient features taken from digital cameras. The new Super 8 would also retain the same basic shape, especially the gun-like pistol grip that has become iconic of the camera’s design. There’s an addition of a top handle with an integrated run button for more difficult angles. It does modernize the aesthetic, though, adopting a more industrial appearance with plenty of flat planes and sharp angles. It is a look that’s both fresh and new yet still unambiguously Super 8.

As for those modern conveniences, it sports a 4-inch LCD swiveling viewfinder, similar to all video cameras today. It comes with a detachable wide-angle 6mm 1:1.2 C-mount lens, so you can actually use any other C-mount prime lens or adapters, depending on what you need. There’s an SD card reader for recording audio directly into storage, as well as a micro HDMI port for connecting an external monitor. Ironically, despite all the new hardware, the camera still charges with an old and slow micro USB connection. And yes, it still shoots on analog film, so you’ll need to make sure to have a stock of KODAK’s Super 8 cartridges at hand.

Given how long ago the announcement was, there were perhaps some doubts about whether Kodak would actually be able to pull this off at all. The good news is that Kodak has finally opened up sign-ups, with shipping expected to start next month. The bad news is that, in addition to limited availability, the price tag for this new Kodak Super 8 film camera is a whopping $5,495, more than twice the announced SRP back in 2016. This immediately puts it out of the reach of all but the most dedicated collectors, a rather disappointing U-turn for a camera that originally catered to amateurs and aspiring moviemakers.

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