Say goodbye to summer, because school starts session this month. Whether you’re attending university, continuing education classes, or you maintain an office, September is usually a great time to upgrade your supplies. Since you’ll be parked at your desk most of the fall, why not invest your back-to-school/office budget in beautifully designed supplies you’ll be proud to show off? Here are some design-savvy desk accessories for every budget.
The Craft Design Technology Graffiti Memo Pad in vermillion uses gridded paper made from stone powder and non-toxic resin — which means that no trees are required to prepare it. $10
Swedish designers Anna Holmquist and Chandra Ahlsell, known as Folkform, went sculptural and geometric for their polished bookends in brass. $185
Kikkerland Retro Pens from AllModern look deliciously vintage, but use a standard ball point refill. $23+
Colorful tangram sticky notes, for those occasions when a simple square just won’t do. $5
Simple, refined, and a piece of Denmark for that spot above your desk, Arne Jacobsen’s wall clock was originally conceived for the Rødovre City Hall in Copenhagen. $357
Also from Denmark, designer Hay adds bold graphics and eye-catching color to these hand-painted wood rulers. $29
The Inspiration Pad from Brussels-based art director and designer Marc Thomasset takes classic, blue-lined notebook paper and expands the possibilities. There’s a new layout to explore on every page. $25
The Eclisse Table Lamp, originally created by Italian industrial designer Vico Magistretti in 1967, is petite and perfect task lighting. Enjoy an ambient glow for after-studying downtime. $250
Kate Spade’s gold metal push pins add tiny bows to your very important documents. $24
Milton from Office Space might forget about his red Swingline stapler for just a while after setting eyes on this Italian stapler. It uses petite staples for a clean and sophisticated look. $32
Leather, wool, and a marl grey cord closure to keep your coveted pens safe. $75
“A re-imagining of the traditional bookstand by anti-design designers Donato D’Urbino and Paolo Lomazzi (who, with Gionatan De Pas, created the ultra famous 1967 “Blow” inflatable armchair).” $118
The Atmosphere NODO Modern Illuminated Globe by Italian designer Walter Giovanniello takes a minimalist approach to this traditional accessory. The tripod stand features a clean design. An internal lighting system is unique. $280
Daphna Laurens, a designer living in the Netherlands, offers these functional and decorative clips that resemble quirky line drawings. $10
A leather, wine-colored “Warren” backpack from Botkier. $298
Vegan back pack from Matt & Natt in bordeaux with hidden pockets. $150
Designed for ideal iPad viewing positions no matter your task. Small, portable, weighted. Works for all smart devices measuring less than 1/2″ thick. $25
From the designers at Studiolav: “Studiolav is paying homage to the beloved pencils by creating its sacred symbol to be place in our little ‘graveyard’ on our desk, the pencil holders. A reminder to the extinction of a companion to our creativity.” $6