# Papercraft Pencil Grinders The Origami Sharpener is Simple, Sleek and Sophisticated By Meghan Young | Published 2011-08-11 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/origami-sharpener References: [behance.net](http://www.behance.net/gallery/Origami-Sharpener/1770684) & [donnkoh](http://www.donnkoh.com) At first glance, the [Origami Sharpener](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/origami-series) looks more like a thick staple than anything else due to its simple, boxy ‘C’ shape and shiny metal material. Upon closer inspection, however, the Origami Sharpener begins to look like something entirely different, although nothing like a typical pencil sharpener. Designed by Singapore-based Donn Koh, the Origami Sharpener was inspired by the [traditional Japanese papercraft art form](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/saori-matsushita). “With no excessive shapes that ‘over-describe’ the object,” as Koh puts it, the Origami Sharpener exists for only one purpose: to sharpen pencils. It also looks incredibly stylish in all of its sleek and sophisticated glory. More and more, people will see products like the Origami Sharpener, which are not as necessary in daily life as they used to be, take on more [stylish and artistic aesthetics](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ori-lamp) to entice prospective customers another way. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.7/10 - Popularity: 45% | Activity: 28% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) > [Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/design) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Stylish Product Design:** The trend of stylish product design allows non-essential items like the Origami Sharpener to attract customers based on aesthetics rather than necessity. - **Artistic Aesthetics:** The trend of artistic aesthetics in product design gives opportunities for unique and visually appealing innovations like the Origami Sharpener. - **Functional Simplification:** The trend of functional simplification is seen in products like the Origami Sharpener, which prioritize a single purpose and minimalistic design. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Stationery:** The stationery industry can embrace stylish and artistic designs, like the Origami Sharpener, to attract customers looking for unique and visually appealing products. - **Office Supplies:** The office supplies industry can explore disruptive innovations by incorporating artistic aesthetics, such as the Origami Sharpener, to differentiate their offerings. - **Product Design:** The product design industry can leverage the trend of functional simplification, exemplified by the Origami Sharpener, to create innovative and purpose-driven solutions. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [3D-Printed Paper Knives](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/paper-knives.md) - [Vertical Pencil Sharpening Tools](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pencil-sharpener-1.md) - [Miniature Handheld Graters](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/irogami-grater.md) - [Spinning Desk Sharpeners](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ferfereh.md) - [Clothespin-Inspired Mechanical Pencils](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pentapa.md) - [Recycled Plastic Writing Utensils](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mechanical-drop-pencil.md) - [Electric Pencil Sharpener](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/electric-pencil-sharpener.md) - [Mechanical Origami EDC Pens](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/zero-mk2.md) - [Organized Minimal Pen Holders](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/stilo75-pen-holder.md)