Artemis: A Sculpted Wooden Pencil Designed for Comfort and PerformanceIntroducing a Revolutionary Approach to Pencil Design
Looking through the prism of Architecture, the final goal in designing spaces is to accommodate people and offer them a beautiful, pleasant, and comfortable experience of living. Under the same concept, considering that a pencil is accommodating the fingers on it, it is essential that it provides, welcomes, and integrates the fingers on its organic body comfortably by allowing a proper 'space' for each finger. The pencil gets its name from Artemis, the Greek Goddess of hunting, for its aerodynamic, organic shape which recalls a spear with which to thrust at prey.
In a regular pencil, the design focuses on a three-spot finger handling, which results in a big amount of opposing forces on a specific spot on the pencil. This pencil, however, introduces a pencil handling that creates a three-space concept for the fingers involved. Instead of the holder keeping the pencil, the pencil itself accommodates your fingers on it, without applying any pressure that eventually influences the arm’s muscular tension.
This pencil is a true work of art, meticulously handcrafted without the use of any machinery. It has been sculpted exclusively with different types and sizes of wood chisels, and has undergone multiple sanding and polishing methods to achieve its flawless finish.
With dimensions of 18 mm x 25 mm x 140 mm, this pencil is designed to fit perfectly in the palm of your hand, elevating your writing and sketching performance. By being a proper wooden sculpture, the pencil sits comfortably in your hand, allowing you to place your fingers in the appropriate three spaces of the sculpted item. The design ensures that you do not have to exert pressure with your fingers to hold the pencil; it is designed to fit naturally inside your hand. With its positive and negative surfaces, it guarantees the relaxation of hand muscles, as there is no need for you to maintain pressure to hold the pencil.
The Artemis pencil project started in July 2018 in Tehran, Iran, and was completed in January 2019 in Thessaloniki, Greece. It is the brainchild of Mohammad Reza Khakpour, a visionary designer known for his innovative approach to functional art. Khakpour collaborated with creative partner Evgenia Grammatikopoulou to bring this unique pencil to life.
This exceptional design has not gone unnoticed. In 2019, Artemis was awarded the Bronze A' Design Award in the Art and Stationery Supplies Design category. This prestigious award recognizes designs that demonstrate outstanding creativity, technical skill, and resourcefulness, contributing to improvements in quality of life. The Artemis pencil is a testament to the fusion of art, science, design, and technology, making it a true masterpiece.
Photographer Evgenia Grammatikopoulou captured the essence of this remarkable design in stunning visuals, showcasing the intricate details and craftsmanship of the Artemis pencil.
Project Details and Credits
Project Designers: Mohammad Reza Khakpour
Image Credits: Photographer Evgenia Grammatikopoulou, 2019.
Project Team Members: Creative partner: Evgenia Grammatikopoulou
Project Name: Artemis
Project Client: Mohammad Reza Khakpour