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21 objects that are perfectly designed and can’t be improved any further
Skye Gould/Tech Insider
Some things are so timeless, recognizable, and intuitive that it doesn’t make any sense to try to improve them.
We reached out to designers to get their take on the world’s most perfectly crafted products.
We spoke with Aaron Draplin, a logo designer who’s known best for his Field Notes memo books and extensive logo work, and Bill Cowles, hardware designer at Electric Objects. We also asked Peter Rohles, an industrial designer at the software company solidThinking, and Dan Formosa, a former designer at OXO, about the products that are beloved by designers and consumers alike.
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Keep scrolling to see 21 items that are probably the best they’ll ever be.
Paperclip — Three turns in a piece of wire is all you need to properly secure a stack of paper.
Microplane — Essentially an oversized nail file, the sharp, lightweight device is perfect for zesting citrus fruits or grating spices directly over a dish, Formosa says.
Levi’s 501 Jeans — The original Levi’s cut is roomy enough for any wearer to move in comfortably. It was as good for a ranch hand 100 years ago as it is for anyone today, Draplin says.
Bic ballpoint pen — The product is cheap while still being durable and reliable, Rohles says.
Spoon and fork — Eating utensils have stayed mostly the same for thousands of years for one reason: they get the job done.
A memo book— “In a world of data, clicks and dinging bells that embarrassingly has us in its grips, a pencil and a blank page in a memo book are limitless,” Draplin says.
A pocket t-shirt — “We hold things. And a t-shirt with a pocket on the chest? Perfection. Good for a wad of cash and an I.D. card, that iPhone you can’t put down or that memo book I was going on and on about,” says Draplin.
OXO double-bladed cheese grater — Formosa says his favorite grater slices both ways, since the blades face up and down, resulting in twice the grating power.
Swingline stapler — A solid, weighty feel combined with a timeless look. “It’s the Cadillac of staplers,” Rohles says.
Sharpie marker — The look is sleek and crisp, not to mention iconic. “People say ‘Do you have a Sharpie?'” Rohles points out, “instead of ‘Do you have a marker?'”
Soda can tab — Cans with stay-tabs (tabs that stay attached) emerged in the mid-1980s to replace pull-away tabs, which are taken off a can entirely. The new tab’s complex system of levers and fulcrum are widely considered a feat of design genius.
Dixon Ticonderoga No. 2 pencil — The iconic yellow and green implement offers the best writing (and erasing) experience you’ll find from a pencil.
Post-It notes — An accident when it was first invented, the no-frills combination of adhesive and a square piece of paper still has no peers.
Colt M-1911 pistol — Just about every modern hand gun was inspired by the Colt 1911, in both its functionality and aesthetic. It is the gold standard.
KitchenAid mixer — The strength and beauty of the retro-chic mixer has kept it in every serious baker’s kitchen since it was first unveiled in 1919.
Jeep Wrangler — “It’s a strong looking vehicle,” Rohles says. “When people think of a car they’d go off-roading in, it’s usually a Hummer or a Jeep.”
Eames lounge chair — Instant recognition is usually a good sign in design. The combination of leather and wood are what make the product so striking, Rohles says.
Maglite — Never has there been a more durable, sturdy flashlight, Rohles explains. It is the standard by which other flashlights are judged.
ChapStick — “The shape hasn’t changed in so long,” Rohles says. And given its simple, effective construction, it doesn’t need to.
Razor — Since the switch from straight razors, the way we shave hasn’t changed in decades, Rohles says, even if companies market new products as innovative.
Chuck Taylor All-Star — At 98 years old, the sneaker recalls simpler times and offers universal appeal. It is a rare breed in fashion.
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