15 Must-Have Accessories for Your Design Studio

There seems to be a de facto standard in the world of design studios: that they should be as quirky as possible – ostensibly to stimulate the creative juices of its inhabitants.

The more bizarre and interesting the decoration, the more creative the agency…right? While I can’t answer that question definitively, I can share with you some unique accessories that will make your work space a bit more interesting…and perhaps a bit more productive.

1. Jpegasus Poster

This witty blending of dorky humor and mythical creature makes it a fantastic addition to any studio’s wall space. Make your coworkers chuckle at this clever play on words, and fill up your wall space with something interesting.

2. Custom Laptop Skins

When it comes to custom laptop skins, you either already have one or you want one. The good folks over at GelaSkins have the nicest collection of skins we’ve ever seen. Maximum envy points for applying any one of their designs to your laptop, iPhone, Xbox, or any of over 100 other devices.

3. Office Slang Flashcards

We’re big fans of retro spoof (and we’re also fly, yo), so this indispensable collection of office slang was a shoe-in for inclusion on our list. Be the hit of your next local AIGA event when you “roll deep” with your newfound vocab.

4. Paper Browser

It used to be that web designers had to use graph paper or loose leaf and a ruler (if one were so inclined to accuracy). Without some painstaking effort, actual pixel dimensions were merely a wild guess.

No longer! Thanks to Paper Browser – a stylish wire-bound notebook with pages of ready-made browser windows – you can be concepting like a pro in no time. Added bonus: Paper Browser makes it easy to keep all of your sketches in one place.

5. Pastry Wrist Rests

These may look mighty tasty, but unless you enjoy the bland flavor of NASA memory foam, you’d best not bite into one. These clever objects, made from squishy polyurethane, double as gags and as creative, functional additions to your workstation. Also available as baguette-sized keyboard wrist rests.

6. Helvetica Notebook

A list of studio office accessories wouldn’t be complete without something Helvetica. Love it or hate it, you can feel both with this clever notebook from Veer.

7. Web Designer Playing Cards

Now web designers can fill all of their down time with this stylish and relevant deck of “Top Trumps” style playing cards from TypeFaces. Each card features the likeness of one of 20 well-known web designers, including Johnathan Snook and Jeffrey Zeldman.

8. App Icon Pillows

When the 2 o’clock crash comes around, where will you rest your head? Try one of these 12″ × 12″ fleece throw pillows, each adorned with the icon of your favorite software or web application. The store is temporarily closed for a renovation, but you can at least get your hopes up.

9. Pantone Shoes

Complete your workplace wardrobe in the ultimate way: by donning a pair of limited edition SeaVees that match one of 15 Pantone colors. While it seems the opportunity to buy a pair has run its course, you can still browse the store. Maybe SeaVees will be nice and make a second run…

10. Sushi USB Drives

USB drives are boring, but Dynamism is proving that even the most mundane office accessories can have some personality. These clever USB sticks are highly detailed replicas of various sushi rolls, and are certain to create some inspiration (or a craving for Japanese).

11. Designer Rolodex

I never wanted or thought I could use a Rolodex until I saw the Roll-O-Decks…a beautiful, variegated reincarnation of the old classic. A perfect way to store your contacts the old-fashioned way, or to add some spice to your workspace.

12. Stainless Steel Sharpie

While these have been out since last spring, they’re still obscure and quirky enough to be right at home on a designer’s desk. Features a stainless steel barrel with laser etched “Sharpie” logo and refillable ink cartridges.

13. Grass Blade Page Markers

Turn your collection of print identity and web programming books into a grassy garden with these unique page markers. A word of advice: the site is in Japanese, so try using Google translate if you get lost.

14. Villain Chair

If you can afford to build a secret base in the heart of an active volcano, you can afford this £4,500 retro swivel chair.

15. Wall Stickers

Nailing artwork to the wall is so passé. Convey your company philosophy and be creative at the same time with these stunning wall stickers from French designer Fabien Barral.