Concept modular pen NEWRON can generate new ideas

 

The concept modular pen by Toshiyuki Kawada, named NEWRON, can make people think of new ideas by stimulating their fingertips with protruding shapes. The object comes in three parts: top, middle, bottom. Inside the box, users select each part of the concept modular pen NEWRON. Then, they piece them together by twisting until they form the entire body of the tool. The pen comes in, and at last, the crown at the top seals the object. Once everything is in place, users click the top, allowing them to use the writing tool and begin thinking.

 

Design-wise, the parts of the instrument look 3D printed. Their shapes range from having multiple stacked discs and a flowy, paper lantern-like exterior to semi-pointed, geometric tips, like the ones used in massage tools. There are 12 grips included in the concept modular pen NEWRON. The grip puts enough pressure on the users’ fingertips as they write and draw. The designer believes that this action helps activate the users’ thinking hat for new ideas.

concept modular pen NEWRON
all images courtesy of Toshiyuki Kawada

 

 

Pressure on fingertips activates somatosensory cortex

 

Studies state that when the fingertips are touched, parts of the brain get active. One of them is the somatosensory cortex, which is responsible for processing touch information. Other brain areas involved include the motor cortex, which helps with movement, and the parietal cortex, which deals with space and attention. Because of this, stimulating the fingertips through touch and press can influence the thinking skills. Some research even suggests that finger exercises might improve memory and learning. The way people touch their fingertips matters as well. 

 

When they touch rough surfaces, it creates different signals than touching smooth surfaces, affecting how their brain processes information. With other studies, touching or putting pressure on the fingertips can influence other senses, like vision. From these studies, the designer Toshiyuki Kawada comes up with the idea of producing his concept modular pen NEWRON. The protruding shapes allow the pressure points in the fingertips to get activated, thus triggering brain activity for creativity and new ideas. So far, the designer, who won the Grand Prix at the Kokuyo Design Award for his project, has yet to announce the commercial viability of his concept modular pen NEWRON.

concept modular pen NEWRON
the object comes in three parts: top, middle, bottom

concept modular pen NEWRON
the grip puts enough pressure on the users’ fingertips as they write and draw

concept modular pen NEWRON
there are 12 grips in the concept modular pen NEWRON

packaging of the writing instrument
packaging of the writing instrument

 

 

project info:

 

name: NEWRON

design: Toshiyuki Kawada | @toshiyukikawada_design