Why designer pens are finding favour among the digital generation
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Why designer pens are finding favour among the digital generation
A coveted status symbol in the 90s makes a comeback every bit millennials rediscover the tactile pleasance of putting a well-designed pen nib to newspaper.
Nosotros might live in a digital world, but some millennials are finding the analogue universe intriguing. Pen and notebook by Hermès; Cufflinks, keychain and business bill of fare holder by Cartier. (Art: Jasper Loh; Photo: Aik Chen)
twenty April 2022 06:30AM (Updated: 07 Sep 2022 10:09AM)
Back in the 90s and early noughties, one of the most pop graduation gifts that parents would present to their children was a Montblanc pen. A designer writing instrument was a coming-of-age gift that symbolised independence and marked the graduate's entry into the working globe, where he or she would (presumably) beginning making money moves and sign impressive contracts – with the flourish of a fancy fountain pen.
And then the digital revolution swept in and pen usage became a niche habit, especially among the younger generation. Nevertheless, equally they say, fashion is cyclical. In recent years, a nostalgia for the "good old days" among those in their 20s and 30s has resulted in a resurgence in many 90s trends, from the return of retro fashion to a renewed appreciation in heritage food and makers crafts such as calligraphy and leathersmithing.
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Correspondingly, this generation of young consumers are also rediscovering the beauty of wielding a lovingly crafted writing instrument.
"In the digital age, we don't write as much every bit we should be. Only writing is fun, especially with a good writing instrument such as a fountain pen. The inks are richer and more vibrant compared to a brawl pen or roller pen. You volition have this wonderful feeling of the inks gliding beautifully and producing nice lines and messages on the paper," said Tan Fong Kum, founder of fine writing instrument specialist store Artful Bay in ION Orchard. He has seen a "steady increase" of millennial pen enthusiasts of nigh 5- to eight percent over the past 2 years.
So this group of millennial consumers may exist the beacon of hope for the market, which has been facing a shrinking consumer base and failing demand in recent years.
Besides the tactile pleasance of using a quality pen, designs past luxury brands such as Cartier, Hermes and Tiffany & Co. also double upward as small condition symbols that can easily fit into a bag. Specialty stationery brands including Faber-Castell, Parker and Pelikan also brand high-finish writing instruments that entreatment to those who capeesh the pattern elements of a writing instrument like the bill, ink menstruation and fifty-fifty weight residual of a pen.
Additionally, luxury stationery items are also correspondingly growing in popularity. "At that place are many who collect luxury inkwells, fine papers similar those from Crane & Co. Jotter, which is used past the president of the United States and well-made leather accessories like pen cases and sharpeners," said Herman Chan, director of pen and specialty jotter shop Elephant and Coral, which is located at Mandarin Gallery.
Amassing such complementary stationery and writing with a pen – as opposed to typing on a device – besides has experiential value, which is highly sought after among younger users, Chan observed.
"Millennials seek experiential journeys and using a pen is therapeutic to some, compared to typing on mechanical jail cell phone keyboards. They can likewise share their writing experiences on digital platforms similar Instagram and brand short videos of mixing ink colours to create a personalised shade, for example," he said.
"Millennials seek experiential journeys and using a pen is therapeutic to some, compared to typing on mechanical cell phone keyboards." – Herman Chan
On Instagram, hashtags such every bit #calligraphy and #fountainpen have a few meg posts, with many users uploading videos of themselves writing in elegant cursive. Writing, in one case seen as a boring activeness that students had to endure in schools, has become a leisurely pursuit, with users willing to splurge on quality products to enhance their enjoyment of the procedure.
Ivy Ong, sales and marketing director of A.W. Faber-Castell, said, "The recent trend of paw lettering has inspired people to selection up writing equally a personal hobby and to buy something special for themselves. Plus, mitt writing is believed to be related with memory retentiveness, making this a salubrious leisure activity."
Tan of Aesthetic Bay believes that every bit younger users develop always more discerning tastes in their choice of writing musical instrument, it will be a "natural progression" to gravitate towards more highly valued pens.
"Most will start with a simple fountain pen used for writing. But as we progress, we realise that nicer pens are more expensive because of the material, artwork, craft technique, beak, mechanism and then on," Tan said, noting that they may no longer place as much of an accent on using the pens.
What sets younger pen aficionados apart from older collectors is that millennials often buy pens to utilize them, with a sweet spot pricing of about Due south$200 per pen. In contrast, akin to building an art collection, the older collectors often seek out limited edition pieces, with prices going upwards to South$xx,000.
Ane coveted brand amongst experienced collectors is Namiki, which characteristic decorative elements such as traditional Japanese lacquering, chosen maki-e. Other artistic details which collectors expect out for include carving, low-relief engraving, die-casting, enamelling and miniature painting.
Tan said, "Like buying paintings, watches, leather bags or nice solid wood furniture, collectors see writing instruments as a slice of art. Pens are so beautiful, sometimes you can enjoy them past appreciating the artwork, similar appreciating art in a museum."
"In the digital age, we don't write as much equally nosotros should be. But writing is fun, peculiarly with a good writing musical instrument such as a fountain pen. The inks are richer and more vibrant compared to a brawl pen or roller pen." – Tan Fong Kum
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Source: https://cnalifestyle.channelnewsasia.com/obsessions/pens-writing-instruments-millennials-250941
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