My top 3 favorite analog design tools...
That also double as life tools!
Art supply stores are amazing for many reasons.
And they’re my favorite place to buy *life-improving* items. For example, while not an analog design tool (but I could make a case), phone screen covers changed my life for the better. It took me many years, though, to come around.
So here they are — (I also didn’t mean for these items to all go together as complimentary products, that was just a happy accident).
1. Alvin self-healing 18”x24” cutting mat
The black/green version. This size is so handy for pretty much any flat cutting you need to do — middle school poster projects, collages, felting crafts, etc. It will wrinkle if you don’t keep it stored flat, which is why I store it on my coffee table and it doubles as the perfect ENORMOUS coaster. Some people question this choice, but they just don’t know the joy of not having to look when setting down a water glass. The smaller sizes also make excellent mouse pads.
2. OLFA ratchet lock utility knife
Box cutters are great. X-ACTO knifes are also great. This knife falls somewhere in between the two and is proof that compromises can work sometimes. I love that I have peace of mind that a fresh blade is one snap away. I kind of feel like this is the thing to keep in your car because they’re cheap and endlessly useful. It’s sad when you get to the end after keeping it close by for years, but just buy the replacement blades and you’ll be set for life.
3. Alvin 15 inch cork-backed ruler
Rulers need to be long enough to extend past any material that you’re trying to measure. But mostly just paper. For letter size paper this is a great length, and if you’re into legal size this is also a great length. But, more importantly, these rulers DON’T SLIP, so you can use them as a straight edge for everything. Rulers need to be non-slip. That is a rule(r).