Making creative things is part of the DNA of being human. Few know this better than Chris Holden, founder and ½ of AJOTO, a designer and manufacturer of bespoke pens, based in the UK. I had a chance recently to connect with Chris and ask him some questions about craft, designing over long timescales, and their newest Kickstarter project: the Pocket Pen.
AJOTO is known for making thoughtful writing products with impeccable attention to detail. What prompted the shift from "heirloom" writing instruments to the Pocket Pen, an everyday carry essential?
It’s been nearly 14 years since we first launched AJOTO as a small independent studio. A lot has changed since we began, but at our foundation, we are the same company, just with a little more experience. The focus was on making the best version of the everyday tools that we used as designers, but in a way that allowed us to use state-of-the-art technology and connect with incredible specialists across the UK.
At the time our aim wasn’t to compete but to offer something different; an everyday tool that we wanted to use and celebrate the industrial craft and production. There was no one approaching this in the same way, especially as an independent company, and it felt like an exciting challenge.
The starting point for the Pocket Pen was to make a tool for our life on the go, where it’s more about making a quick note or capturing an inspired idea rather than consciously sitting down for longer periods of creative indulgence. The Pocket Pen was created for these moments and it led us to rethink not just the design, but the entire role of a high-quality pen in our day-to-day lives.
I know iteration in design is a theme for your work. Can you talk about what the process of creating a new product like this was like? What was the biggest challenge?
To begin any project our first step is always to try and identify the boundaries. These initial constraints are always flexible as they are based on our preconceptions, but we use them as a guide and challenge to push against.
With the Pocket Pen, we created over 155 prototypes before finalizing the design. Our creative process focuses on repeatedly translating 2D concepts into 3D forms and testing. As we progress, new insights about materials, production, and costs can shift or challenge ideas, but as long as the core concept remains strong, we adapt and evolve. The end goal is always to simplify, creating a product that looks and feels inevitable.
Our biggest challenge is real-world limitations. As an independent studio, limited resources often force us to scale back ideas, which can be frustrating. External factors can also halt promising projects. For the Pocket Pen, the toughest part was reigning in ideas to fit production realities and available technology.
Ergonomics is such an important aspect of product design. I've used lots of durable pocket pens but most of them don't ever feel like a full-size pen. How did you address the ergonomic challenges of designing a product designed to be compact and carried in the pocket?
Creating a product that's comfortable to use is a fundamental requirement. So, when designing a pen, there are several key factors to balance: weight distribution, form, functionality, and the environment in which it will be used. In combination, these elements dictate the hand feel, mechanics, detail and aesthetics of the Pen.
The folding mechanism posed some unique challenges. In contrast to a Pocket knife the Pen uses a reverse logic —rather than gripping the handle, you’re essentially gripping what would be the blade. Since the handle acts as a counterbalance, its material and thickness need to be carefully considered.
As the Pen is designed to be carried in unconventional ways the durability of the materials and design was a key consideration which differs from a classic Pen that may be kept secure in a pouch or pencil case or on a desk. Accommodating these uses in many ways dictated the form.
Above everything else there was a desire to ensure that like ‘The Pen’ the Pocket Pen was made to be maintained and repaired. As such the modular design can be completely disassembled and rebuilt. It also includes ports at the back for clips and carabiners, while the sides are made from hardened stainless steel to withstand daily wear and tear. The finished aesthetic reflects this and as a result, channels links to the thoughtful use of materials and assembly found in modernist and Bauhaus designs with clean utilitarian lines and free of unnecessary embellishment.
Lastly, we created the Pocket Pen around the full stainless steel D1 ballpoint refill—a high-quality, universally compatible refill that can endure the knocks and bumps of everyday life. This helped keep the Pen compact while ensuring that the mark the Pen makes is smooth and faultless.
Many designers find inspiration from disciplines outside design. Where do you pull inspiration from as you are creating new products?
For me, there are many sources of influence and inspiration and one of the big areas that I always return to is processes and structure. I'm drawn to the combination of how and why something is done, and I love understanding the stages that create the environment for an idea to come to life. This likely stems from a childhood fascination with how things work and a constant desire to see behind the scenes.
It's about the journey of transformation—doing incredible things with a limited palette of tools or resources. I’ve always admired the way experts present simplicity. Take a stand-up comedian, for example: they’ve spent years honing their craft, but when they stand in front of an audience, it feels effortless, as if they're thinking of each joke or reciting an anecdote on the spot. Or a top-tier chef that transforms seasonal ingredients into an unforgettable experience, delivered with depth and passion.
As for visual or mechanical inspiration, this can come from anywhere, and its relevance to a project isn’t always immediately clear.
When we developed the Pocket Pen, we looked at a range of vintage pocket lighters and knives, not only for their aesthetic value but for the tactile experience they offer. These tools evoke memories and a sense of connection through action—like a pocket lighter with its flick and strike, or a pocket knife with its slide and click. We wanted to create that same sense of connection with the Pocket Pen—a product that, once held, just feels right and has an interaction that feels intuitive.
Above all, what I truly admire is when people take pride in their work. People who take pride in their work and care for the entire process of production, not just the end transaction.
I'd love to pull back a bit and hear about the philosophy of AJOTO. What drives you to create? What about writing tools that captured your attention and led into this journey?
When starting AJOTO, the driving force was a desire to oversee every aspect of the creation process—from the initial idea all the way to the customer, and even beyond. The original concept was to design the ‘ultimate creative toolkit’, the kind of everyday tools that feel deeply personal and are made with intention.
This approach, blending human craftsmanship with advanced technology, distinguishes what we do AJOTO. The emphasis is on creating products that aren't just useful but also meaningful. It’s about focusing on quality over mass production and using advanced technology to elevate the level of craft we can achieve. Above all else, we aim to deliver more than a product—offering an experience that celebrates the connection between maker and user, trading ideas and inspiration through beautifully crafted tools.
On a personal level, there's always been a deep desire for independence and freedom. In retrospect, I think this is what drew me to the pen as a tool. Since its invention, the pen has transformed how we understand the world, giving us the ability to record thoughts and ideas. It's been at the heart of every significant event in human history. So, to create an item that has the potential for so much is a fascinating thought.
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Make your mark.
—AJOTO