Pen Notes
// Pen Notes began with the idea that a pen is more than a writing instrument—it is a tool for creativity. I wanted to rethink the familiar form of the pen and challenge preconceived notions of what it should look like. Through crafting paper models, the sharp folds and angular qualities of the material became an inspiration, allowing each prototype to develop as a small architectural object. As the forms evolved, I considered hand ergonomics, grip positions, and the internal mechanics required for the ink cartridge.
Through repeated repetition of forms and shapes I created a development process that could be easily replicated. This process was integral in allowing me to explore many different iterations of the pen in the time given. I created a new pen shape each day for two weeks.
Throughout the project, a central question emerged: who is the pen designed for? I wanted to question the assumptions embedded in everyday objects. Whose hand informed its development? Were people of different ages, genders, races, physical abilities, or levels of dexterity considered? Were both left and right handed users represented? These questions shifted the project beyond form-making and towards a broader discussion about inclusivity in design.
The project also prompted me to reconsider the role of practicality. While function remains important, must every object be defined by efficiency alone? What possibilities emerge when playfulness, experimentation, and sculptural expression become equally valued? These questions have the potential to extend beyond the pen and inform future investigations into other everyday objects.
User testing became the project’s most significant next step. Observing how people naturally held, wrote, and drew with the pen revealed new insights into comfort, movement, and interaction.
Pen models in paper
Varying sizes
London, UK, 2026