Object Capture: Muji Muji Muji Muji

Long time no see! Being in design school means I've recently dedicated my design interests more to learning than writing. I hope to evolve Object Capture into a series of rapid-fire miniature reviews, much in the same vein as Andrew Kim's MM Select. These are much less stressful to write. In this edition, I will be covering four products I've procured from Muji, the Japanese leader in democratic design.

Muji Mechanical Pencil Sharpener

During the first lecture of my concept sketching class, each student was immediately given an assignment. No, the cubes in perspective weren't due for another two weeks. This assignment was different. Each student in the class was instructed to find and buy a good pencil sharpener. Just go to Amazon, we were told, and you're likely to find a good electric model around $15. But I could never be so careless as to allow an unproven object into my space. My search started and stopped when I found this model from Muji.

The sharpening process begins by clasping the two bunny ears between your fingers. Tug outward to reveal the pencil-feeding mechanism. Squeeze to disengage the three pencil-gripping rubber rings, then insert the pencil. Now rotate the crank, and watch as the pencil is pulled into the planetary blade. Moments later, the crank's resistance ceases, indicating that the pencil is at full sharpness. Withdraw your perfectly-pointed sketching tool and don't forget to empty the translucent shavings bin.

This mechanism comes across as novel in 2021, but actually originates from the Caran d’Ache Sharpening Machine released in 1933. Muji's industrial designers simply managed to reduce it to its purest form. Why the market isn't flooded with similar models is beyond me.

Muji Aluminum Pen Case

For weeks I kept my sketching pencils in the flimsy box from whence they came. Once that fell apart, I found a real solution in this pen case from Muji. It is constructed from an aluminum sheet, cut and folded to perfection. The hinged lid won't snap off over time like a plastic counterpart's would. My main critique is that new pencils are just barely too long to fit in the case, but after a few sharpens they sit in there just fine. This is understandable as the case is explicitly designed to fit pens. Also, the clasp makes the expected scratching sound of aluminum-on-aluminum friction, but that's small potatoes if I never have to purchase another pencil case in my lifetime.

Muji Pop-Up Toaster

You know that neumorphism trend in digital user interface design, which combines the real-world depth of skeuomorphism with the cleanliness of flat design? (For examples of skeuomorphism vs flat design, look no further than the changes from iOS versions 6 to 7.)

The best way I can describe this toaster is that it is a neumorphic toaster. The matte plastic front controls create those same stylistic shadows and highlights. It's simply pleasant on the eyes.

Is this toaster really worth its $99 asking price? The answer is no unless you are literally me. Any toaster half the price can toast just as well, if not better. But that half-price toaster will be disruptively ugly. I'm willing to pay this premium to bring just a bit of peace to a kitchen shared by five college-aged men.

Muji Rice Cooker

This rice cooker is a clear sibling to the toaster, both being designed by Naoto Fukasawa as rounded-down forms of ubiquitous appliances. There's a unified design language here. What separates the two is a digital interface with membrane button controls on the rice cooker, indicating to the user that its inner workings are much more complex.

Operation is dead simple. After measuring out rice and water to the ideal ratio, you simply select what type of rice you're cooking, then hit start. An hour or so later, it calls out with a beep, and perfect rice is ready for you.

One touch only Fukasawa would think of adding is the raised lip on top, which affords placement of the rice paddle when not in use. No need to grab a spoon rest or wipe rice off the counter.

An impressive retracting cable makes the appliance much neater than most, both in storage and in use.

I've really enjoyed the convenience of this appliance as a busy student. Fukasawa's consideration for the needs of the user shine through in every interaction.

I hope to get back to you all soon, bringing more fruits of my design education. Be good to yourselves.

Sincerely, Nate