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6 Design-Forward Brands Making HAY Look Like Yesterday's News

Steve McClain

Steve McClain

Co-Founder @ Marmalade

Published on: November 19, 2024
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The workspace accessories game has evolved. While HAY brought playful colors and Danish design sensibilities to our desks, a new generation of brands is pushing creative boundaries. We're seeing innovative materials, enhanced functionality, and purposeful design that's redefining how we organize our spaces. Here's our take on six brands that caught our attention with their fresh perspective on desktop organization.

WMS & Co
: Where Stationery Meets Museum-Worthy Craftsmanship

The 365 Wall Planner: A time-management tool that belongs in MoMA
In an age where digital calendars reign supreme, we're drawn to WMS & Co's refreshingly analog approach. Founded by JP and Allison Williams, this brand transforms everyday tools into objects that make us want to slow down and appreciate the tactile experience of working.
Their 365 Wall Planner isn't just another calendar - it's a masterclass in intentional design. The paper has a weight and texture that digital screens can't replicate, while the printing technique creates subtle depths that reveal themselves throughout the year. Each element feels considered, from the typography to the space allocated for notes.

Why we like WMS & Co

  • 1

    Museum-Quality Craftsmanship

    Each piece demonstrates exceptional attention to material quality and printing techniques

  • 2

    Tactile Experience

    Creates physical tools that enhance the analog working experience

  • 3

    Thoughtful Design Details

    Every element serves both aesthetic and functional purposes

a

allisonw

05/09/24

Organizes our whole family in one place

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Poketo
: The Anti-Boring Brigade of Desk Organization

Forms Desk Organizer Set: Storage that sparks actual joy
Ted Vadakan and Angie Myung started Poketo as a modest artist collaboration, but we're fascinated by how it's evolved into something much bigger. Their approach to organization manages to be both practical and unexpectedly delightful - no small feat in a world of bland office supplies.
The Forms Desk Organizer Set exemplifies this balance. Through collaborations with over 200 international artists, Poketo has developed an understanding of how creative professionals actually work. The result? Storage solutions that accommodate the mess of creative work while maintaining visual harmony. Their partnerships with Nike and Disney have only sharpened their ability to merge function with genuine artistic expression.

Why we like Poketo

  • 1

    Artist Collaborations

    Partners with over 200 international artists for unique designs

  • 2

    Creative Professional Focus

    Products designed with real creative work habits in mind

  • 3

    Balance of Function and Joy

    Combines practical storage with delightful aesthetics

Maggie

Maggie

04/24/24

I love poketo and the color and shape the desk organizers bring to my office!

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Multitasky
: Engineering Meets Ergonomics

Cloud-Like Comfort Mouse Pad: Where workspace wellness gets real
Julia Xu's Multitasky brings a refreshing perspective to desk accessories. We're particularly intrigued by how the brand approaches common workplace problems with solutions that don't sacrifice style for function.
The Cloud-Like Comfort Mouse Pad with Wrist Support reflects this engineering-meets-aesthetics philosophy. Instead of accepting the traditional foam wrist rest aesthetic, Multitasky reconsidered both materials and form. The result addresses ergonomic needs while creating a visual focal point that elevates the entire desk setup.

Why we like Multitasky

  • 1

    Ergonomic Innovation

    Reimagines traditional products with wellness in mind

  • 2

    Engineering Excellence

    Combines technical expertise with aesthetic appeal

  • 3

    Problem-Solving Design

    Addresses workplace challenges without compromising style

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HKliving
: Dutch Design Gets Down to Business

Striped Beach Blanket: The unexpected desk accessory we didn't know we needed
Childhood friends Emiel Hetsen and Sander Klaver have created something remarkable with HKliving. Their European sensibility shows up in unexpected ways, like using a beach blanket as a desk accessory - a move that's both practical and quietly rebellious.
The brand's approach mixes Nordic restraint with touches of bohemian flair. We appreciate how they challenge conventional categories, creating pieces that work across different contexts. Their materials age gracefully, developing character through use rather than looking worn out.

Why we like HKliving

  • 1

    Category-Defying Design

    Creates versatile pieces that work across different contexts

  • 2

    European Sensibility

    Blends Nordic minimalism with bohemian touches

  • 3

    Quality Materials

    Products that develop character and patina over time

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Onefortythree
: Industrial Design Meets Domestic Intelligence

Wall Shoe Storage Rack: Proving organization can be architectural
What started as a house-renovation blog has morphed into something far more interesting. Onefortythree brings industrial materials into domestic spaces, creating organizational tools that feel more like functional sculpture than storage solutions.
Their Wall Shoe Storage Rack demonstrates this perfectly. The industrial materials create a visual statement while solving real storage challenges. We're impressed by how they manage to make raw materials feel sophisticated rather than utilitarian.

Why we like Onefortythree

  • 1

    Architectural Approach

    Creates storage solutions that double as functional sculpture

  • 2

    Industrial Evolution

    Elevates raw materials into sophisticated design elements

  • 3

    Blog-to-Brand Success

    Authentic growth from renovation project to design house

Emily Russell

Emily Russell

05/08/24

I have a tight entryway and keeping shoes off the floor has been a game changer, much less mess!

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Artifox
: Where Minimalism Actually Makes Sense

Bookend - White: Proof that simple doesn't mean basic
Dan and Sarah Mirth's Artifox approaches organization with architectural precision. Their products, including the deceptively simple Bookend - White, demonstrate how restraint can be more impressive than embellishment.
The brand's American manufacturing focus yields products with remarkable material integrity. Each piece works as part of a larger organizational system, but stands alone as a design object. The result manages to be both highly functional and visually compelling - a combination that's harder to achieve than it looks.

Why we like Artifox

  • 1

    Architectural Precision

    Brings professional design principles to everyday objects

  • 2

    American Manufacturing

    Focus on quality and material integrity

  • 3

    Systematic Thinking

    Creates pieces that work both individually and as part of a system

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The Last Word

These brands represent a shift in how we think about desk organization. They're proving that functional objects deserve the same design consideration as furniture or art. While HAY opened the door for design-forward desk accessories, these brands are taking the concept in fascinating new directions. The result? A rich selection of options for those of us who believe our workspaces should be as thoughtfully designed as the work we do in them.