Ideas don’t wait for the perfect moment. For design students, inspiration can strike anywhere—in a busy studio, during a critique, or mid-lecture. The right note-taking tool can turn scattered sketches and fleeting thoughts into the seeds of your next breakthrough. In a world where creativity blends analog and digital, the tools you use should be as flexible and inventive as you are. Whether you prefer the satisfying swipe of a marker on a whiteboard, the convenience of a digital tablet, or the playful versatility of reusable sticky notes, there’s a solution that fits every creative workflow. The best note-taking tools do more than capture words and images—they nurture ideas, encourage experimentation, and keep your process organized as your projects evolve. Here are five excellent tools perfect for design students ready to take notes beyond the ordinary. 1. Personal Whiteboard Design students thrive on the freedom to jot, sketch, and iterate without limits. The Personal Whiteboard brings that freedom to life with a single-page whiteboard notebook that’s endlessly reusable. The act of writing on a surface that wipes clean after every use encourages risk-taking and iteration, making it easy to brainstorm, mind-map, or sketch a quick wireframe. Snap a photo to archive your ideas in the cloud, then erase and start over — every fresh page is a new beginning. The multi-functional cover enhances the experience, serving as an eraser, built-in stand, and storage pocket for a marker. The innovative Mag Force system turns the cover into a handle and pen holder, keeping your tools close at hand. Compatible with any regular whiteboard marker, this notebook is perfect for those moments when inspiration strikes in class or at the studio, supporting rapid ideation and spontaneous creativity. Click Here to Buy Now: $49.00 What we like Infinitely reusable, reducing paper waste. Multi-functional design with integrated stand and eraser. What we dislike Only one page means no multi-page reference. Must have a marker and phone handy to save notes. 2. MagBoard Clipboard The MagBoard Clipboard reimagines the classic clipboard for the modern design workflow. Its magnet and lever mechanism secures up to 30 sheets, allowing you to add, remove, and rearrange pages without hassle. This flexibility lets you work non-linearly, organizing sketches and notes in the order that matches your process. The hardcover design makes it easy to sketch standing up, perfect for crit sessions or on-the-go brainstorming. With its minimalist aesthetic, the MagBoard Clipboard eliminates the distractions of pre-printed layouts or rigid bindings. Loose sheets mean total freedom over format and medium, from tracing paper to heavy sketch stock. The water-resistant and easy-to-clean surface ensures durability through every project, making it ideal for design students who value both structure and adaptability. Click Here to Buy Now: $45.00 What we like Holds various paper types and sizes securely. Easy to reorganize or remove sheets as needed. What we dislike Loose pages can be misplaced if not careful. No digital backup unless manually scanned or photographed. 3. Rocketbook Reusable Sticky Notes Rocketbook’s reusable sticky notes reinvent the classic sticky for the eco-conscious creative. These notes can be written on, wiped clean, and reused endlessly, making them a sustainable companion for design students juggling ideas, reminders, and critiques. Each note is compatible with the Rocketbook app, allowing you to scan and organize notes digitally before erasing for the next round of inspiration. The familiar format of sticky notes fits right into any workflow, whether you’re mapping out a project timeline on your wall or annotating a design portfolio. The ability to reuse them means you can experiment without worrying about waste. These sticky notes truly shine in collaborative settings, where feedback and ideas are constantly evolving and being refined. What we like Reusable, reducing waste, and ongoing costs. Syncs easily with digital platforms for archiving. What we dislike Requires specific pens for best results. Can be lost or misplaced like traditional stickies. 4. Levitating Pen 3.0 A tool that’s as much a conversation starter as it is a writing instrument, the Levitating Pen 3.0 brings a sense of wonder to every workspace. Its aircraft-grade construction and seamless casing feel substantial in hand, offering a precise and smooth writing experience for quick notes, sketches, or brainstorming sessions. The pen’s mesmerizing levitation and gentle spin capture attention, sparking inspiration during those moments between tasks. For design students, the act of picking up a pen with such a playful, futuristic design can break creative blocks and encourage out-of-the-box thinking. The Levitating Pen’s pedestal serves as a visual reminder that every idea has the potential to break free from gravity, while the balanced ballpoint tip makes writing and drawing feel effortless. This is a pen for those who want their tools to reflect their imagination. Click Here to Buy Now: $129.00 What we like Inspires creativity with stunning design. Durable, precise writing feel. What we dislike Needs the stand to levitate, so not pocket-friendly. Premium price point for a single writing tool. 5. BOOX Go 7 and Go Color 7 Gen II The BOOX Go 7 and Go Color 7 Gen II e-readers blur the line between digital reading and instant note-taking. With an integrated stylus, design students can annotate articles, highlight inspiration, or sketch directly onto e-books and PDFs. The e-ink display is gentle on the eyes, making it ideal for long study sessions, while the compact size makes it easy to carry from class to studio. This tool is especially powerful for those who consume large volumes of reference material, allowing seamless transitions between reading and note-taking. The notes can be exported, organized, and referenced later, supporting research-heavy design projects. The addition of color capabilities on the Go Color 7 adds another layer for visual thinkers who want to mark up images or diagrams. What we like Combining reading and note-taking in one. Lightweight and portable for everyday use. What we dislike Requires regular charging. Not ideal for heavy sketching or detailed drawing. The post 5 Best Note-Taking Tools & Gadgets For Design Students To Perfectly Capture Ideas first appeared on Yanko Design.

News Physics Scientists used a levitating magnet to hunt for dark matter The quantum-based technique could reveal the presence of hypothetical ultralight particles A magnet levitates over a superconductor. Scientists used this phenomenon in a search for ultralight dark matter. Forance/Alamy Stock Photo By Emily Conover 1 hour ago In a first-of-its-kind test, scientists used a levitated magnet to search for dark matter, the unidentified substance believed to be present throughout the cosmos. If dark matter is made up of ultralight particles, it could behave like a wave that would subtly jostle the magnet. Although no signs of such jostling appeared, a few tweaks could improve the experiment’s sensitivity to dark matter’s potential influence, the researchers report in a paper to be published in Physical Review Letters. Scientists used this apparatus to make measurements of a levitated magnet that provided a new method to hunt for dark matterDennis Uitenbroekz Scientists believe dark matter must exist to account for astronomical observations that suggest an unidentified source of mass in the cosmos. Dark matter has evaded a wide variety of detection attempts, so astroparticle physicist Christopher Tunnell of Rice University in Houston was looking for new ways to search for it. Tunnell and colleagues realized that an existing experiment, originally designed to make sensitive gravitational measurements, could spot ultralight dark matter. In the experiment, a magnet with a mass of less than a milligram was suspended within a container made of a superconductor — a material that conducts electricity without resistance. The magnet’s motion was monitored with a quantum device designed to measures changes in magnetic fields, known as a SQUID. If ultralight dark matter exists and interacts with normal matter via a new type of force, the dark matter wave would have subtly jiggled the magnet. Tunnell and colleagues reanalyzed the data from that experiment to search for dark matter’s influence, but found no evidence of it. Sign up for our newsletter We summarize the week's scientific breakthroughs every Thursday.

Nikola Karabatic Sports Complex / Atelier AconceptSave this picture!Courtesy of Atelier AconceptSports Architecture•France Architects: Atelier Aconcept Area Area of this architecture project Area:  2000 m² Year Completion year of this architecture project Year:  2024 Save this picture! Text description provided by the architects. In Mennecy (France), Atelier Aconcept delivered the Nikola Karabatic Sports Complex in 2024 for the Communauté de Communes du Val d'Essonne, the project owner. The result is a striking, golden, levitating volume. Situated at the southern edge of a business district, the sports complex's shimmering reflections pay tribute to the medal-studded career of the French champion, making it a landmark for regional development. Its imposing metallic façade underscores the facility's open and public nature.Save this picture!The design is both simple and functional, composed of two offset, interlocking rectangular volumes. This strategic layout maximizes the façade's impact while shielding users from direct sunlight. A slight overhang of the lintel serves as a sunshade during the long summer days. At ground level, the reception hall seamlessly extends from the forecourt, blurring the boundary between interior and exterior. Fully glazed on three sides, this atrium fosters transparency between form and function. Natural light floods the space, guiding visitors to the heart of the building. The double-height hall provides easy access to the mezzanine, which naturally extends from the ground floor.Save this picture!Save this picture!Save this picture!Wrapped in gold-colored expanded metal that shifts with the light, the suspended volume houses the multi-sports hall. This space accommodates a variety of covered outdoor activities and features a generous landscaped exterior. A continuous strip of natural light from the north and a glazed band to the south bathe the interior in brightness.Save this picture!Maximizing the building's height strengthens its architectural presence. The golden cladding is a deliberate choice—both eye-catching and symbolic of the pursuit of excellence associated with Nikola Karabatic's name. The upper-level sports hall is a perfectly rectangular space, designed for multiple sports configurations, with tiered seating for 100 to 150 spectators, depending on the setup.Save this picture!The facility's versatility is further demonstrated by two auxiliary rooms on the ground floor. These square-shaped activity spaces each feature at least one uninterrupted wall, allowing for ballet bars, mirrors, projections, or exhibitions. With direct outdoor access, these rooms seamlessly connect with the business park. A shared storage area adjacent to these spaces enhances their adaptability.Save this picture!Spacious circulation areas emphasize user comfort. A central patio at ground level provides natural light and visual relief before extending into a larger, elongated courtyard, which illuminates the mezzanine and surrounding walkways. The site's constraints posed challenges for parking, leading to an innovative solution that integrates stormwater management. The parking area is designed as a landscaped element, harmonizing with the natural surroundings.Save this picture! Project gallerySee allShow less Project locationAddress:FranceLocation to be used only as a reference. It could indicate city/country but not exact address.About this officeAtelier AconceptOffice••• MaterialWoodMaterials and TagsPublished on May 18, 2025Cite: "Nikola Karabatic Sports Complex / Atelier Aconcept" 18 May 2025. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/1030076/nikola-karabatic-sports-complex-the-golden-side-of-the-medal-atelier-aconcept&gt ISSN 0719-8884Save世界上最受欢迎的建筑网站现已推出你的母语版本!想浏览ArchDaily中国吗?是否 You've started following your first account!Did you know?You'll now receive updates based on what you follow! Personalize your stream and start following your favorite authors, offices and users.Go to my stream

Reviews Science & Society Some science seems silly, but it’s still worthwhile A new book argues basic science can unexpectedly better human lives These glowing fish were genetically modified with green fluorescent protein, the compound that revolutionized biological research and earned Osamu Shimomura the 2008 Nobel Prize in chemistry. When Shimomura began studying luminescent sea creatures in the 1950s, scientists avoided the research because it was considered challenging and unpredictable. SAM YEH/AFP via Getty Images By Karen Kwon 2 hours ago The Salmon Cannon and the Levitating FrogCarly Anne YorkBasic Books, $30 What’s the purpose of your study? It’s the question many basic-science researchers dread. And it’s the question that Carly Anne York received about 10 years ago from a fellow volunteer at the Virginia Zoo. At the time, York was a Ph.D. student studying squid biomechanics. When the volunteer, a retired army officer, probed why taxpayer dollars should be spent on what he called “silly science,” all York could do was mutter about the inherent value of knowledge. Sign up for our newsletter We summarize the week's scientific breakthroughs every Thursday.

Upgrading your office isn’t just about technology or aesthetics—it’s about creating a workspace that inspires productivity, keeps you organized, and helps you tackle every challenge with confidence. The right desk supplies can transform your daily routine, streamline your workflow, and even spark creativity. Whether you’re working from home, heading into a busy office, or managing a hybrid setup, these five cutting-edge accessories are designed to elevate your workspace to new heights. Have a look at the top desk supplies you need for an instant upgrade in May 2025. Investing in these top desk supplies will boost your productivity and also make your workspace a place you truly enjoy spending time. These upgrades will help you embrace the future of work—efficient, organized, and inspiring. Make May 2025 the month you transform your desk and elevate your daily routine. 1. Thunderboost eGPU Dock Imagine never having to choose between portability and power again. The Thunderboost eGPU Dock is a true game-changer for anyone who wants the flexibility of a laptop but the raw muscle of a high-end desktop. With this compact device, your ultrabook can suddenly handle demanding tasks like 3D rendering, AI model training, 8K video editing, and gaming—all thanks to the NVIDIA RTX 4090 GPU packed inside. This isn’t just about raw specs. The ThunderBoost eGPU Dock represents a major leap for professionals and creatives who often find their slim laptops struggling under heavy workloads. Plugging in this eGPU instantly transforms your setup: Blender renders finish in a fraction of the time, AI workflows become local and secure, and gaming or VR experiences are smooth and immersive. It’s a solution that makes your workspace more versatile and future-ready, letting you tackle whatever the workday throws your way, whether you’re at your desk or on the road. What we like Instantly upgrades your laptop’s performance for demanding professional or creative tasks. Lightweight and compact, it fits easily in a bag for power on the go. What we dislike Only compatible with devices that have the latest Thunderbolt port, which may limit use with older laptops. To unlock its full potential, you’ll need to keep it plugged in, which can add cable clutter to your workspace. 2. DockOrb Cables, dongles, and missing adapters can turn even the neatest desk into a frustrating mess. The DockOrb 12-in-1 Dock + Qi2 Wireless Charger is designed to solve all your connectivity and charging woes in one sleek, compact package. This multifunctional hub keeps your devices powered and connected, and brings a sense of order and sophistication to your workspace. The DockOrb offers a magnetic Qi2 wireless charger right up front, making it incredibly easy to power up your smartphone—just drop it on the dock and let the high-speed 15W charging do its thing. No more fumbling for cables or worrying about alignment; the magnetic interface ensures your device is always charging at its fastest. But that’s just the beginning. Flip the DockOrb around, and you’ll find an impressive array of eleven more ports: dual HDMI outputs for multi-monitor setups, fast USB-C and USB-A connections, Ethernet, SD and microSD slots, and more. It’s perfect for those who juggle between laptops, tablets, and other peripherals or who need to quickly set up an expanded workstation. Click Here to Buy Now: $109 $219 (51% off). Hurry, only 81/200 left! What we like Offers twelve essential functions, reducing cable clutter and streamlining your setup. Qi2 magnetic charger delivers quick, reliable power for your devices. What we dislike Not all smartphones support the latest wireless charging standard, so older models may not benefit. The dock’s footprint, while compact, still takes up space that may be a concern for very small or minimalist desks. 3. UnifyDrive UP6 Data management is at the heart of the modern workday, whether you’re editing high-res videos, managing research files, or simply backing up precious photos. The UnifyDrive UP6 Portable NAS reimagines storage solutions by letting you carry your own secure “cloud” wherever you go—no internet connection or remote servers required. What sets the UP6 apart is its blend of portability and robust performance. This device isn’t just a hard drive; it’s a compact NAS (Network Attached Storage) system with a built-in touchscreen, battery, and wireless connectivity. With room for up to six SSDs (for a mind-blowing total of 48TB storage), it lets you access, transfer, and manage your files on the fly. The touchscreen interface means you can browse or even preview files directly, without needing another computer. Bluetooth support adds further flexibility, allowing direct transfer from phones and cameras. What we like Holds up to 48TB and offers quick access via cable or wireless—ideal for large media libraries. Built-in screen lets you manage files directly, even without another device. What we dislike Filling the device with high-capacity drives can be expensive, especially for personal users. The built-in battery is useful, but may require frequent recharging during heavy use on the go. 4. Levitating Pen 2.0: Cosmic Meteorite Edition A desk isn’t just a place to work—it’s a reflection of your personality, creativity, and aspirations. The Levitating Pen 2.0: Cosmic Meteorite Edition stands out as a functional work of art, giving your workspace a futuristic, inspiring focal point. More than just a tool for writing, this pen is a conversation starter, a stress reliever, and a tangible reminder of the wonders that exist beyond our daily routines. What makes this pen extraordinary is its gravity-defying design. Suspended at an elegant 23.5-degree angle, it appears to float in mid-air, inviting you to reach out, give it a spin, and let your mind wander. Its aerospace-grade aluminum body is both durable and luxurious, while the genuine Muonionalusta meteorite embedded in the tip connects you to a piece of cosmic history, older than Earth itself. The pen’s magnetic cap and premium German ink cartridge ensure a smooth, satisfying writing experience every time. Click Here to Buy Now: $399.00 What we like The floating design and meteorite tip make it an eye-catching centerpiece and conversation piece. High-quality materials and ink offer comfort and smooth performance. What we dislike The craftsmanship and materials mean it’s an investment compared to basic pens. Its levitating mechanism requires a steady surface, and the pen should be handled carefully to maintain its effect. 5. Grovemade Matte Studio Pad A cluttered desk is the enemy of productivity, but staying organized shouldn’t mean sacrificing style. The Grovemade Matte Studio Pad redefines what a desk pad can be—combining thoughtful organization, a pleasing tactile experience, and a modern aesthetic that instantly polishes any workspace. This is much more than just a surface to place your laptop. The Studio Pad’s smooth, matte surface feels inviting and resists fingerprints, keeping your space looking crisp and fresh even after hours of use. Underneath, a brushed aluminum chassis anchors the pad firmly, while a natural cork layer protects both the pad and your desk from scratches. A full-length hardwood tray provides a designated spot for pens, styluses, or other essentials, helping you keep everything in its place. The result is a workspace that feels orderly and inspiring every time you sit down. What we like Built-in tray and layered design keep your essentials tidy and accessible. The combination of aluminum, cork, and hardwood adds durability and a sophisticated look. What we dislike May not fit smaller desks, so measure your workspace before purchasing. High-quality materials come at a higher cost than standard desk pads. The post Top 5 Desk Supplies That Will Instantly Upgrade Your Office & Workflow first appeared on Yanko Design.