Introduction:
MUJI pens are popular writing instruments for their minimalist design and superior performance. Made by MUJI, a Japanese retail company known for its simple, functional, and affordable products. MUJI fountain pens are popular with writers and artists for their smooth writing and durable construction. While MUJI gel pens are incredibly popular today, the company MUJI did not invent them; rather, “ the credit for coming up with the world’s first-ever gel pen is given to Sakura – a globally renowned Japanese pen manufacturer. The company pioneered in gel-ink technology after many years of intense research” (Gel Pens, 2021).
The goal of the company was to “… to create a water-based ink that is more versatile” (Gel Pens, 2021). Initially, the Sakura company began using thixotropic elements to find the perfect ink. Ideally, the product would be “ solid when untouched but liquid when moved” (Gel Pens, 2021) but the research was in vain. However, xanthan gum, a common additive used in various food products, was used on gel ink pens. With the successful innovation, the Sakura company filed the patent for the first gel ink pens in Japan.
It is safe to say however, that MUJI improved the design and functionality of the pen, as one reviewer among many stated on their website that provides product recommendations, praised the MUJI pens for their “smooth and consistent ink flow” and “robust build quality” (Wirecutter, 2021). I can attest to this as an owner of these pens: their quality and sleek design make writing something to look forward to.
Technical Description/Specifications:
The MUJI ballpoint pen is available in two sizes: 0.5mm and 0.38mm. The pen is made of plastic and includes a clear hex barrel at the top that allows the user to check the ink level. In addition, the length of the pen is 14 cm (5.5 inches), weighs approximately eight grams, and is available in the various colorations of red, blue, black, and green as shown below.
Figure 1
Design and Functionality:
The design of the Muji pen is quite minimalist, not having any unnecessary decorations or gimmicky features. This design is quite consistent with the philosophy of the company, prioritizing functionality but maintaining smooth, simplistic aesthetics; as pronounced designer Andrea Ponti referred to the pen in its “ perfect design: functional, universal, minimal” (Nepori, 2020). With this being noted, the specifics of the pen include a transparent hexagonal barrel allowing the user to see the ink. This visible ink cartridge allows for “ an ink prevention mechanism that stops the ink from flowing in the wrong direction and prevents any breaks in the writing line or ink leakage” (Muji Gel Ink Pen. Kawaii Pen Shop). In addition, the cap located at the end of the pen has a clip attached to it, allowing for the pen to be attached to a book or binder. Furthermore, the small tip of the pen allows for finer lines to be drawn and greater accuracy, with the smaller of the two sizes providing even greater accuracy.
Figure 2 (Above)- Interior of the Muji Pen
Figure 3 (Below)- Exterior of the Muji Pen
Material:
The materials used to make MUJI pens have their purpose to ensure the utmost quality and durability of the product. To begin with, the barrels are composed of polycarbonate which is “ a material that’s both stronger and lighter than plastic” (Pen Vibe, 2022). In addition, the polypropylene (a common thermoplastic) used for the cap is “strong, durable, and resistant to corrosion” (Aberdeen Tech, 2022). The durability of the pen frame along with the oil-based ink ensures a smooth, steady flow when writing. Additionally, the ink cartridges are also made of the same polypropylene which are similarly designed to prevent leaks and clogs. As a result, it is clear that MUJI pens are built to last. The plastic construction is durable for daily use without breaking; this along with the ink being protected in the cartridges makes the pen usable in various environments and purposes.
Conclusion:
Overall, MUJI ballpoint gel-ink pens are known for their smooth writing and simple, elegant design. This is exemplified as the ballpoint pen tip provides a smooth flow of ink that goes across the paper without any smearing or skipping. In addition, the ink dries quickly, preventing any bleeding, and the pen ensures hands won’t get tired even after long use.
For these reasons, MUJI pens are highly regarded by their users in both academic and professional fields. To add on, MUJI pens are environmentally friendly as they use recyclable materials. The ink is oil-based and contains no harmful chemicals, making it safe for both you and the environment. As I have and continue to use the MUJI pen, my satisfaction with the product has led me into writing this technical description about them and learning a few facts in the process.
Figure 4 (Left)
References/Sources:
Gel pens – the history of inventing gel pens. The History Of Inventing. (2021, April 30). https://www.elkospens.com/the-history-of-inventing-gel-pens.html#:~:text=Who%20Invented%20The%20Gel%20Pen,many%20years%20of%20intense%20research.
Muji Gel Ink Pen. Kawaii Pen Shop. https://kawaiipenshop.com/products/muji-gel-ink-ballpoint-pen
Nepori, A. (2020, August 28). Simple and universal: A short praise for the Muji pen. DOMUS. https://www.domusweb.it/en/design/2020/08/28/simple-and-universal-a-praise-for-the-muji-pen0.html
The Complete Guide to Muji Pens & Pencils ( 2022, April 11). Pen Vibe. https://penvibe.com/the-complete-guide-to-muji-pens-pencils/
Thermoplastic vs Thermoset Resins – Ultimate Guide | Aberdeen Technologies. (2022, May 23) https://www.aberdeentech.com/blog/thermoplastic-vs-thermoset-resins#:~:text=This%20unique%20feature%20is%20what
Figure 1- https://www.amazon.com/MUJI-Ballpoint-Pens-0-5mm-9-colors/dp/B00J2MUV06
Figure 2-
Figure 3-
Figure 4- https://www.muji.us/collections/pen-pencils/products/smooth-gel-ink-knock-type-ballpoint-pen-0-3mm
Reflection
In the making of this technical description, I was able to learn a lot and also had a few obstacles along the way. First of all, I peer-reviewed and read several of my classmates’ technical descriptions in order to analyze and get a better grasp of what works and doesn’t work in this assignment, utilizing learning outcomes 1 and 2. During this, I reviewed various formatting, styles, and the different types of items classmates picked for this assignment. I was impressed and fascinated by the different items and styles of writing my classmates had, which gave me better insight into this paper going forward. Of course, I had to follow the guidelines given in the assignment sheet and rubric but there was some flexibility in how I formatted things, so I wanted to pick one that would be best suited for the technical description item that I picked. In addition, for my next phase of picking something, I was eyeing something electronic or more mechanical that didn’t rely on some form of energy source. After conducting research on various items on the web and brainstorming items I had familiarity with, utilizing learning outcome 6, I was deciding between a pen and a speaker. Both of these are items I have in my possession, but I ended up choosing the pen, specifically a Muji ballpoint gel ink pen due to it having more prominence in my everyday life. After choosing this, I had to conduct research about the origins, materials, functionality, and design of the pen in order to gain a further understanding of the technical description. In addition, for this particular paper, I utilized learning outcome 5 by looking for various images of the pen and its manufacturing process- I also had to match the images correlating to the particular subject matter I discussed and give a brief description of the image as well. In addition, I cited these images as well as my other quotes in the paper using APA citation as mentioned in the rubric, fulfilling outcome 8. In my citations, as well, I had to integrate them with an understanding of my own and paraphrase certain quotes and sentences from the sources and websites that I cited from. In doing so, I was able to fix a few errors in which I was redundant in certain parts- doing so allowed me to proofread certain areas and gain a better understanding of the information I was writing about. Furthermore, I had some difficulties finding some information about the muji pens in detail as most websites were pretty low in specific information and were more or less advertising points and less informative about the specifications, make, and manufacturing of the pen. However, after countless research and looking through various sites, I was able to find adequate information to write a technical description of this muji pen. Owning one of these, I was satisfied with the product and could have never imagined such design and complexity and something so simple.
