Dezeen Magazine

Nendo's Block memo pad peels apart like a 3D puzzle

Japanese design studio Nendo has created a stationery collection that includes a cube of different-sized sticky notes (+ slideshow).

Stationery by Nendo

Nendo's Block memo pad can be separated into three sections: a large square, a long rectangle, and a smaller oblong.

Stationery by Nendo

Users can peel the different paper notes away from each of the blocks, which are marked out by fine grey lines and supported by a white plastic base.

Stationery by Nendo

When the three pieces are fitted together, the block forms a cube with a missing corner, reminiscent of a 3D version of a piece from the classic puzzle video game Tetris.

"This has facilitated the use of these notes in assorted sizes for people to use for various purposes, such as using them as memos, as bookmarks and so forth," said the studio.

Stationery by Nendo

The indented corner also allows the block to be stood on a desk or shelf at an angle.

Stationery by Nendo

The collection also includes a pair of ruled notebooks, which feature lines that gradually fade away as they approach the bottom of each page.

Stationery by Nendo

"The unruled, plain white area is perfect for drawing sketches or illustrations," said Nendo, which has recently unveiled projects ranging from drinks packaging and glasses frames to a timepiece for TAG Heuer.

Stationery by Nendo

The two notebooks are named U-note and Sa-note, with each design created for a specific type of person.

Stationery by Nendo

"U-note features fewer lines and is geared towards those whose work is driven more by intuition and feeling, while the extra lines in Sa-note make it suitable for more logical thinkers," said the studio.

"The naming comes from the Japanese pronunciation of 'right' and 'left', with the amount of space occupied by lines corresponding to a more right-brained (u-no) or left-brained (sa-no) style," added Nendo.

Stationery by Nendo

Stationery brand Moleskine has also created an alternative to the traditional notebook: a journal that can connect to iOS devices to record pen strokes in real time.

Photography is by Akihiro Yoshida.