This quirky contraption is a non-perforating compass that does more than draw circles

Anyone who has worked with paper and pen will most likely have come across the venerable drawing tool that is the compass. For centuries, it has been the standard way to draw circles of any diameter, and for centuries, artists, designers, and engineers have been forced to deal with holes in their canvases and papers. Fortunately, that’s a thing of the past, and designers today have come up with multiple ways to draw circles without harming your paper, but that’s as far as many of these modern compasses go. At the end of the day, it’s yet another tool to add to your pouch or drawer, taking up space for something you might not use that often. In contrast, this tool looks a little bit complicated because it sort of is. Although you’ll probably use it to primarily draw circles and ellipses, this modular stationery can actually replace almost a dozen of your other tools as well.

Designer: Pik Shan Lee

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It’s difficult to blame product designers of the ancient past for how they made compasses that would become a staple of the trade. It wasn’t until recently that we’d have access to better materials, more accessible resources, and more unconventional design thinking to create a tool that doesn’t need to poke a hole in the middle of your material. These non-perforating compasses are starting to become more familiar with designers today, but Exlicon takes that idea to the next level and beyond perfect circles.

The basic concept behind Exlicon is the same. You have a disc that you set in the middle of the circle you want to draw, and then you swing a movable arm to draw that circle. In this tool’s case, however, the arm or arms or wings can attach in different ways to draw not just circles but also ellipses of different orientations. Going beyond round forms, however, the tool supports drawing other geometric shapes and can also measure things you’ve already drawn.

It mostly depends on how you use or connect the wings, with one serving as a typical ruler while another can measure angles like a protractor. Another wing has holes and cutouts to draw golden ratio triangles and curves. You can even draw hexagons and pentagrams without having to pull out a different tool from your arsenal. There are also add-on discs that can do spirals, mandalas, and perspective guides.

All in all, the Exlicon and its discs can replace about nine other drawing tools you might have to carry separately. With an all-steel build, the tool has its own distinct appeal and a promise of longevity that many plastic rules and curves can’t deliver. That said, the multi-shape design tool does look a bit daunting because of its many parts and complex use, but it is the price that must be paid for an all-in-one solution to many of your drawing and measuring needs.

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A compass and ruler hybrid concept is the perfect upgrade for designers

Just because you can’t draw a perfect circle doesn’t mean your paper needs to be filled with holes.

No one can actually draw a perfect circle, at least not without tools. Sure, there might be exceptions that come once in a lifetime, but most designers, artists, architects, and engineers have to contend with less than perfect circles or, if necessary, tools that let you draw perfect ones. The compass, not to be confused with the navigation tool, is the most-used tool for that purpose, but it is also the worst one because of how it damages the material underneath. There have been a few attempts at redesigning this centuries-old drafting tool, and one of the latest extends an existing product with an ingenious feature that really changes the game even more.

Designer: Ilya Evtushenko

Not too long ago, a budding startup sought to do what very few in multiple disciplines even bothered to think about. The venerable compass has been around for centuries, but it was still the go-to solution for drawing circles, even if that meant putting holes in your paper. The Rotio was born out of the need to protect paper and other materials while still offering the flexibility and convenience of a compass.

Instead of a pin that will puncture a hole on a sheet of paper, Rotio has an “eye” that lets you see the center of the circle you want to draw. You simply press down on it to secure it on the paper, fit the tip of the pen or pencil into one of its holes, and then swivel away to your perfect circle. The minimalist metal design of the Rotio also ensured that it would outlive the often flimsy compasses produced for mass consumption.

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This concept builds on the foundation that Rotio laid with a feature that is critical for engineers, architects, and industrial designers. These often need more than just the ability to draw perfect circles, they also need to be able to draw precise circles based on a certain measurement. The Rotio offered only fixed holes with very few markings, which is why this version uses a slider instead.

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The body of the compass, which has been changed to a stadium shape, now has ticks marking different distances, just like a ruler. The biggest change, however, is the slider that will let you adjust where your pen goes, which, in turn, determines the diameter of the circle. You don’t have to settle for fixed points and even draw sizes in between those marks.

The concept even upgrades the materials that would be used for such a compass, giving it a spring-loaded brass button for its centering and similar materials for the slider and its knob. It is presumably still made of metal to help prolong the life and usefulness of the tool, not to mention making it more sustainable when it does reach the end of its days.

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This Japanese compass uses the thread of fate to draw a perfect circle

 

Okay, this is by far the most unique compass I have seen! For starters, it doesn’t even look like a compass and brings a whole new drawing experience to the table. ITO (糸) means thread in Japanese and that makes up its backstory as well as its physical. Intrigued?

Inspired by ancient Japanese belief of the red thread of fate, ITO goes back to the roots of drawing a circle by connecting a pin & chalk with a thread and gives it a modern-day twist. The red thread’s story is about connecting those who are destined to meet no matter what – this is then beautifully tied into the body of the compass that splits into two (main body + holder) but always remains connected. As soon as the holder is released, it retracts automatically back to its place in the main body aka finds its way back just like the souls at the two ends of the red thread.

ITO adds a meaningful and creative dimension to drawing a circle without compromising the functionality, aesthetic, and cultural value all in a single tool. To draw, pull out the holder to the desired length and lock it in place. Then hold the top of the compass and rotate the holder around the compass freely to draw your circle. On releasing the locking mechanism the holder retracts back to the main body of the compass intuitively because of a spring coil attached to it.

Made out of a tasteful combination of wood, metal, and the red thread, ITO has an evergreen look. The logo and the measurement markers are inlaid on the wood while the metal-made middle body adds to the details and gives it a sturdier appearance. The Japanese wave patterns carved into the metal surface brings out the traditional and cultural value of the product and ITO truly stands out in a ‘circle’ of stationery.

Designers: Alfred Jerry and Lakshyta Gupta

This article was sent to us using the ‘Submit A Design’ feature.

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This compass-protractor stationery redesign reduces eye and hand strain while measuring

Right now everyone is looking for some sort of a guide – a tv guide, a medical guide, a moral guide, and probably even a literal guide like a compass. Since quarantine feels like running in circles might as well draw some perfect ones! Compass is also known as a rounder and this uniquely designed one called CARBU is definitely an all-rounder in the stationary design game.

CARBU is a compass and a protractor – so if you are a student or a designer, you know exactly how convenient it is to have tools that serve more than one purpose. The user can make multiple circles without measuring the distance of the opening of the legs with a ruler. The slim legs of the compass on the inside are clogged with discs that are integrated with low-power magnets for smooth movements. The compass has a 2 disc system for accuracy – the inner one disc shows the measurement in a 0.2cm interval and this is amplified with a second disc that magnifies it for ease of viewing. The inner transparent case has two options – you can measure with degrees (for angles and arcs) and also without degrees for simpler things. The second transparent case that has a magnifying glass shows the distance between the two legs of the compass precisely. The discs also tell you if you are in compass mode or protractor mode.

There is a window on the top of the circular disc that shows the distance/radius of the circle to the user directly as they move the compass legs. Ergonomically designed, this window lets you measure and draw without bending or using a scale to read the measurements. I mentioned moral guide earlier and this compass seems to have one of its own – it is built using materials that are recommended for sustainability. CABRU is made from a mixture of bio-plastic and activated carbon which increases the durability of the tool while keeping it light in weight. No strain on your eyes, no strain on your wrists, and no strain on the environment.

Designer: Michael Dimou

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We encourage designers/students/studios to send in their projects to be featured on Yanko Design!

Save $50 on the latest Apple Watch at Best Buy

The latest Apple Watch, the Series 5, is on sale at Best Buy today. The 40mm model starts at $350, and the 44mm version is $380. That’s a $50 discount off of their normal list prices. We don’t see the Series 5 go on sale often, and this is the lowest...

Bear Grylls x Luminox survival series pushes you and your watch’s limits

Bear Grylls is the human personification of Man vs Wild and Fear Factor – no, seriously he is an international public figure known for this survival skills and outdoor adventures! So when Swiss watchmaker, Luminox, wanted to create a line of all-terrain watches they reached out to Bear Grylls and we got a match (or shall I say watch?) made in heaven. Luminox has unveiled the Bear Grylls Survival series which includes the master edition, the sea edition, and the land edition all designed with one goal in mind – to help you survive.

The beauty of this partnership is also in the core values of the brand and the celebrity – Luminox’s motto of ‘Every Second Counts’ syncs up with perfectly Grylls’ ‘Never Give Up’ and comes together as one in the Survival watches. The Master series leads the pack with two chronographs in 45mm Carbonox™ and cases to match. The adventurous spirit of the watch comes from stainless steel chronograph pushers, the mini compass on the strap and a rubber crown ring for easy grip. Given that is has a special Sea edition too, the survival series is water-resistant up to 300 meters.

Scale mountains, dive deep into the sea or explore jungles – the Survival series was created to ‘survive’ extreme conditions and will self-illuminate in the dark for up to 25 years! Even the case of the watch is inscribed with SOS in Morse code for quick reference if you ever need it. “The rugged watch range has been carefully crafted featuring multi-functional design and state of the art materials – set to inspire and encourage the adventurer in everyone – men and women, boys and girls, outdoor novices and experts,” says Bear Grylls.

Designer: Luminox

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An aperture-inspired intricate circle master worth treasuring!

The aperture is perhaps one of the most beautiful parts of a camera to look at. It takes inspiration, of course, from the way the aperture of your eyes open and close to let more or less light in. That mechanism is a thing of sheer beauty, and with the Iris drawing tool, it finds itself in a new avatar. Meet Iris, a refreshingly different circle-maker that has me obsessing over geometric drawings all over again.

The Iris comes with a rotating ring and 20 individual aperture lids. Turn the outer ring and the lids move, causing the circular void in their center to expand or contract. Designed to make drawing circles more intuitive and fun, without piercing the paper as you would with a compass, the Iris comes with a guide engraved on the side of the metallic ring, allowing you to control the size of the circle to the nearest millimeter, while going all the way from a minimum of 0mm to a maximum of 70mm.

An unusually beautiful looking instrument with a vintage touch, the Iris comes with a sheet metal aperture and a thin, machined brass construction, allowing it to be incredibly thin yet precise, with just the right tolerances to enable the aperture to open and close gracefully. The Iris also comes with a wooden stand that allows you to put it on display. The stand, aside from being a platform for the trophy-like Iris, also serves as an aligning tool, allowing you to position the Iris with respect to any given center… unlike those run-of-the-mill compasses which left bullet-wounds in our paper.

Compatible with all drawing tools from pencils to pens, the Iris is less of a geometry tool and more of a precious keepsake… one that also allows you to make the most beautifully perfect circles your eyes have ever seen!

Designer: Odin Ardagh

Click Here to Buy Now: $102 $117 (10% off). Hurry, less than 72 hours left!

About Iris

The Iris by Makers Cabinet is your perfect tool for drawing and measuring circles. Simply rotate the rings to open and close its captivating aperture mechanism. Iris will inspire you with every stroke of your pencil.

A Tool to Inspire

Makers Cabinet believe that drawing and writing tools should guide the path towards creativity rather than limit its potential. Instead of being a burdening generic tool the Iris is intuitive and unique. Its mesmerizing mechanism sparks delight in everyone that sees it open and close. They believe that the Iris helps rejuvenate the flow of creativity at moments of mental block.

The Inspiration

They noticed that camera apertures were reliable mechanisms and were surprised that they had not yet been developed for other purposes. In response to this observation, they designed an instrument that brings the quality of the camera aperture to your desk.

Benefits

The mechanism of the camera aperture has endured 200 years of photographic history. Owing to this resilience, the Iris is the perfect replacement to the inadequate rotary drawing compass.

Rotary compasses are:

– Difficult to hold
– Useless without a ruler
– Restricted to certain mark-making tools
– Immortalised by the holes in our pages

Iris is:

– Easy to use
– Compatible with any mark-making tool
– An accurate measuring instrument
– Seamless on your page

Design, Materaiality & Craft

Its rings are machined from solid brass that patinas, improving with time and use. The leaves are resistant to ink and graphite as they are stamped from carefully selected stainless spring steel that retains its shape. The Iris houses twenty intricately designed leaves that enable you to create accurate circles with every stroke of your pencil.

Base

The base locates the centre-point of a circle. To achieve this, simply lay the Iris flat on your surface and place the base against the inside of the aperture. This added feature enables you to take your drawings to the next level.

Click Here to Buy Now: $102 $117 (10% off). Hurry, less than 72 hours left!

The BALLET compass is sheer temptation for stationery lovers

Some call it compass, some call it rounder, I call it absolutely breathtaking. Designed with a minimal appeal that one often doesn’t see in geometry tools, the Ballet is a beautifully simplistic compass (yes, that’s the technical term for it) that looks as beautiful as a uni-body metal pen. Milled to precision from what I reckon is aluminum, the Ballet is perfectly cylindrical, with a hint of a parting line running vertically down the center, giving you a compass that splits into two, pivoted near the top. The Balance also comes with two knobs, one to control the tightness of the pivot, and the other one to deploy and secure the graphite lead. The lead itself is an interesting detail too. Rather than have a separate lead and a needle, the Ballet merges the two together, almost how ballerinas’ feet look when they’re posing on their tip-toes. The detail right at the bottom is singular, and is half needle, half lead. Open the compass out and the two separate, becoming two individual volumes, just like the compass’ legs!

Designers: Andreu Gadea and Jorge Ros (Maki Studio)

Jeep preps plug-in hybrid versions of its Compass and Renegade SUVs

Jeep isn't exactly synonymous with eco-friendly cars, but it's bent on changing that reputation. The 4x4 maker has unveiled plug-in hybrid versions of the 2020 Compass (below) and Renegade (above) crossover SUVs. Both meld a 1.3-liter conventional...

Quantum ‘compass’ promises navigation without using GPS

GPS is vital to modern navigation, but it's extremely fragile. Never mind coverage -- if a satellite fails or there's a jamming attack, it quickly becomes useless. Scientists may have a much more robust answer, though. Scientists have demonstrated...