# Dual-Functioning Mechanical Pencils The PenPass Doubles as a Pen and a Compass By Elena Rahman | Published 2021-11-09 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-penpass References: [core77](http://core77.com/posts/110497/Japanese-Overdesign-A-Mechanical-Pencil-That-Turns-Into-a-Compass?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+core77%2Fblog+%28Core77.com%29) & [jetpens](https://www.jetpens.com/Raymay-Pen-Pass-0.5-mm-Mechanical-Pencil-Compass-Black/pd/28446)  RayMay Fufii, a Japanese stationery manufacturer, designed the PenPass to help mathematicians and designers as they draw out measurements and graphs. The PenPass is a mechanical pencil. It is available in several cheerful colors such as blue, purple, green, and black. The PenPass doubles as a pencil and as a compass. Users can pull apart its modular arms to expand into a drawing compass. The stationery device uses a top joint to secure both arms together when it is used as a mechanical pencil. To transform the device into a compass, users can pull the two arms apart which are released by the top joint. The mechanical PenPass pencil comes with replaceable pencil pods to replenish the writing utensil. Image Credit: RayMay Fujii ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 5.3/10 - Popularity: 84% | Activity: 63% | Freshness: 11% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) > [Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/design) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Modular Stationery:** Opportunity for technology companies to create stationery with modular features and functionalities. - **Dual-purpose Products:** Opportunity for product designers to create products with multiple functions to increase convenience for users. - **Multipurpose Tools:** Opportunity for tool manufacturers to create multi-functional tools that can be used for various tasks. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Stationery:** Opportunity for the stationery industry to create more innovative and versatile stationery products. - **Design:** Opportunity for designers to use dual-functioning tools in their work to increase efficiency and accuracy. - **Mathematics:** Opportunity for the mathematics industry to use dual-functioning tools in their work to increase precision and convenience. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Recycled Plastic Writing Utensils](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mechanical-drop-pencil.md) - [Clothespin-Inspired Mechanical Pencils](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pentapa.md) - [Three-in-One Writing Utensils](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tp-pen.md) - [Refill-Friendly Ruler Pens](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/combined-ruler-and-pen.md) - [Haute Hybrid Designer Tools](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/rotio-compass-and-ruler.md) - [10-in-1 Multifunctional Pens](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/multak.md) - [Pattern-Drawing Dual-Tip Pens](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/colored-curve-pens.md) - [All-Metal 4-In-1 EDC Pens](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/flintone.md) - [Clipping Pen Devices](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-clippen.md)