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Forest Crayons by Playfool

In the bustling metropolis of Tokyo, where cutting-edge design meets tradition, Playfool, the innovative design studio led by Daniel Coppen and Saki Maruyama, has crafted a project that marries modern creativity with the raw beauty of the natural world. Their latest endeavor, Forest Crayons, is a set of naturally colored crayons made entirely from wood, redefining how we think about art supplies and our relationship with the environment.

“In Japan, 70% of the land is forested, whereas in the UK it’s 13%. About 40% of Japan’s forested area was created as part of an effort to rebuild the country after the war [but] the desire to use Japan’s own wood resources vastly decreased over the years. And now Japan has basically way too much wood” says Coppen while a little smile marks his face.

While the color of the wood is often thought of as simply ‘brown’, Forest Crayons reveals the vast spectrum of hues in the forest, from the light green of magnolia to the deep turquoise of fungus-stained wood, each crayon exhibits a distinct color determined not only by the species of tree but also the conditions in which it is grown. 

They extract pigments from various tree species which are then blended with rice wax and/or rice oil to create a set of ten crayons named Cypress, Hazenoki, Magnolia, Katsura, Cedar, Kaizuka, Zelkova, Bayberry, Chinaberry, and Bogwood.

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The Vision Behind Forest Crayons

Forest Crayons embodies Playfool’s philosophy of blending creativity with sustainability. The creative minds behind Playfool envisioned a product that not only functions as a tool for artistic expression but also tells a story about the natural world.

In a market saturated with synthetic and mass-produced art supplies, Forest Crayons offers a refreshing alternative by reconnecting creators with nature.The wood is hand-picked for its color and texture, then carefully processed to retain its natural hues without the use of artificial pigments or dyes.

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I think one of the important aspects of forest crayon, is cultivating closer relationships with forests.

Saki Maruyama, Forest Crayons

A Design Rooted in Sustainability

By repurposing natural debris that would otherwise go to waste, Playfool has created a product that is both eco-friendly and visually stunning. The use of 100% natural materials means that Forest Crayons are biodegradable, ensuring that their environmental impact is minimal.

Moreover, the crayons are crafted with a zero-waste approach. Every part of the wood is utilized, from the outer bark to the core, with off-cuts and shavings being recycled or composted. This process not only minimizes waste but also ensures that each crayon is a true representation of the forest it came from.

Celebrating the Beauty of Imperfection

One of the most striking features of Forest Crayons is their celebration of imperfection. Unlike mass-produced crayons that are uniform in shape and color, each Forest Crayon is unique. The irregularities in the wood’s grain, the varying tones of the natural pigments, and the organic shapes of the crayons themselves all contribute to a drawing experience that is both tactile and visually inspiring.

This embrace of natural imperfections aligns with the Japanese aesthetic concept of wabi-sabi, which finds beauty in the transient and imperfect. By using Forest Crayons, artists are encouraged to explore the inherent unpredictability of the natural world, allowing it to influence their creative process in unexpected ways.

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Redefining the Art Supply Industry

In an age where digital tools dominate, Forest Crayons offer a return to the analog, to the simple pleasure of creating with one’s hands using materials sourced directly from the earth. The tactile feel of the wood, the subtle scent of the forest, and the organic colors all contribute to a creative process that is immersive and meditative.

They remind us that art doesn’t have to be about precision or perfection; it can be about exploring, experimenting, and embracing the unexpected.

A Harmonious Blend of Design and Nature

Playfool’s Forest Crayons are a testament to the power of design to bring us closer to the natural world. By transforming ordinary twigs and branches into beautiful, functional art tools, Playfool has created a product that is both innovative and timeless and invite us to see the world differently, to find inspiration in the natural world, and to celebrate the beauty that exists all around us.

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Developed as part of a program supported by the Japanese Forestry Agency, Playfool are now looking to bring Forest Crayons to market in hopes to not only breathe new life into Japanese wood, but also ignite a new appreciation for the country’s forests like never before.

As Playfool continues to push the boundaries of sustainable design, Forest Crayons stand out as a shining example of what’s possible when creativity, nature, and design come together.

Project info

Name: Forest Crayons
Studio: Playfool | @studioplayfool
Designers: Daniel Coppen and Saki Maruyama
Collaborator: Hidakuma
Mentors: Daisuke Motogi, Naoki Ono
Photography: Shot by Kusk | @shotbykusk
Online store: here