Rick Powell Pens

After losing and breaking his writing instruments, this designer made one that's difficult to destroy

by Paul Armstrong Rick Powell can’t seem to stop dropping, crushing or misplacing writing instruments as he designs bespoke furniture pieces in his London living room. Instead of simply accepting his fate, Powell took it upon himself to design his own sleek, metal pens that could be kept out of harm’s way using intricate magnetic lids. Each pen takes between two and three hours to …

Mew Men Ramen Shop

A chicken broth-only restaurant opens up in NYC's West Village

Around the corner from NYC indie filmhouse IFC Center sits a new, small ramen joint Mew Men. It’s a little sister to the wildly popular Midtown basement pub Izakaya Mew, but here the menu is minimalist. There’s not much beyond the five ramen options, aside from a few appetizers like kara age (Japanese fried chicken). The sake list, for example, consists just of “hot,” “cold” …

New Photo Book Showcases 20 Years of Apple Design

From 1998’s iMac (remember that one?) to 2015’s Apple Pencil, the new hardcover book “Designed by Apple in California” celebrates and explores 20 years of Apple-designed products. Shot by photographer Andrew Zuckerman, each of the 450 images delves into not only the finished product, but also the intense design process. Like its current devices, the photographs are minimal and sleek—the ideal way to demonstrate all …