Wednesday
Dec012010
O-Check Design Graphics
Posted on 
December 1, 2010 by Ryan Willms
December 1, 2010 by Ryan Willms 
01
Images
Words
Back when we were opening our store, we went on a hunt for a nice looking stapler for our check out desk. We really didn't find what we were after, but we ended up with a great industrial version, which ended up working perfectly. For home and in the office however, it was a little overboard. My search came to an end this week when I found one by O-Check Design Graphics at Old Faithful. The Korean company makes a great selection of staplers, hole-punchers, pencils, rulers and other useful office tools. With a clean design and affordable price, they are pretty ideal for just about anybody who likes their functional items to also look good.
Reader Comments (25)
Somehow, you have added a level of ostentatiousness (or clownery) to simple objects that never had them before, simply by applying your skewed perception of what it represents and how it reflects upon you. While you appreciate the process and the ideology that went into manufacturing these products, that is about the last logical or respectable step you make... and it all goes to shit from there.
I think wasting time hunting around for a stapler (or half the other shit) and then posting about it makes you look like an idiot. You obviously think doing that makes you look like... something else (shit, don't ask me)... and that every customer or person who sees this on your counter will think to themselves, "oh yeah, these guys really get it"...you are essentially imitating the worst parts of the high fashion industry while standing distinctly outside of it in other ways. Oh right, and I know you're just going to say you get pleasure from finding good products made my good people, and you don't care about the rest, but we all know that's a lie. You care about the rest a whole lot more, and that's why I hate you hipsters.
It dumbfounds me that you go out, and find tons of quality garments and items from all over the world (which I appreciate), but then you go on to fuck it up in the last few steps. The stupidity is staggering...
All you weirdo's worship Steve McQueen, Newman, Redford, Clooney, Vonnegut, Kerouac... Leica cameras and RedWing boots... but at the end of the day you have NOTHING in common with them - not in style, and much less in true values or ways of seeing the world that really count for something. You guys are the the biggest shell operators I've ever seen, and while you've convinced yourselves of this bullshit, you're not fooling anyone else.
Fuck you very much,
Your faithful reader from the planet Earth.
with all due respect to the two comment writers above, I'm not so agreed with their words. I think that Inventory keeps a logical direction for both editorial and stockroom.
Of course this line cannot interest everyone. I just want to say that I'm interested in. I'm not the guy that would wear a red cap or Redwing boots, so I will not buy half the Stockroom, but I like to read this blog because yes, I like that things on my desk seems beautiful, I like 'cold' interiors and I like the authenticity that emerges from the aesthetics that Ryan present here.
Anyway, for Mister V$: It is not necessarily a bad thing to want to think or look like someone, or to follow a trend. Nobody can pretend to build himself without any model.
Have a nice day, guys.
I can't stand the X factor, so I don't watch it!
Perhaps you should try this technique with things that piss you off so much?!
By the way, as a professional nerd I completely get the stapler thing. You can't go to all that effort with the shop and everything and then settle for some janky WHSmith's substandard stapler.
It dumbfounds me how a blog entry about an aesthetically pleasing and practical stapler can make you go off the deep end.
Have you read Inventory's mission/information statement?
"ABOUT
INVENTORY was created as an extension of the culture and lifestyle we're a part of. We value products and clothing for more than just their appearance, admiring how they're made, by whom, and why. It's through this passion and attention to detail that we view the things in our lives from a different perspective. With a hunger and willingness to learn, we search for the rare, unknown and new, while always remembering tradition and the past. It is with this blend in mind that we explore various niches in menswear to create our own unique aesthetic. We focus on the brands and people, big or small, that have stories we want to tell and might otherwise go unnoticed. INVENTORY's unique content draws us out of our immediate surroundings and leads us into a world of exciting and interesting things.
INVENTORY is a place to take stock of the items, brands and people that we connect with and find special. With a genuine appreciation for details and quality, INVENTORY is a curation of ideas in product, craft and culture."
I feel that the Inventory blog adheres quite closely to the information statement found on the Inventory webpage.
You say: "I think wasting time hunting around for a stapler (or half the other shit) and then posting about it makes you look like an idiot." However part of Inventories brand identity is to " search for the rare, unknown and new". If you feel that looking for new and interesting things is a waste of time then don't waste your time reading the blog entries posted on this website.
Your stupidity is staggering… Mr. V.
Sincerely (my real name since I am not too afraid to show it),
- Michael W
It's amazes me that people can complain about something so strongly, that has absolutely zero effect on their lives. I mean, does this really upset you that much? Does someones appreciation of something, for whatever reason (legitimate, stupid, irrational, comical), really bother you that much?
At least he didn't suggest he'd go out and field test it.
And this is coming from a natural born hater. I mean: I hate a lot of shit. I'm not really much of a positive person at all, but then I don't often go to places I hate, see people I despise, or look at websites that have nothing to offer me.
To admit you like plenty posted here, but complain about something in particular that doesn't suit your own personal sense of style or taste? Well that doesn't sound like someone with much originality to me. You're supposed to pick and choose influences and inspiration as you need. Not moan about the ones you don't.
But yes, I'm sure you're a regular Paul Newman. Who, incidentally, was well known for leaving anonymous comments on blogs, whilst being universally cool and 100% legit. I'm just like him too. Did you know any of those people on your list personally? Would you be bummed to know they were all fake as shit, and just followed some trend they saw themselves. Might have happened. Although I hear Kerouac invented cuffing jeans. And Kurt? First guy ever to to wear a mustache.
But really; George Clooney? Are you serious? I don't think anyone here's pretending to be a Dr from a television show.
Oh and for the record: I could give two shits about staplers. So I didn't pay too much attention to this post, and I didn't leave a comment.
Until I read yours, and got really excited, and now I think I'll change my whole life.
Because, it turns out, I've been doing everything wrong.
Signed,
An Anonymous Response.
I don't know if it's just me but your number of comments shown are not what is presented between the ( ) - it says 13 but only shows 10. It's happened a few times..just wanted to give a heads up!
Everyone has different passions and opinions. No reason to get your panties in a bunch!
Harold:
That sounds like hostility, doesn't it John.
John:
And we don't like hostility, do we Harold?
Harold:
No, we don't, John.
Inventory Crew, please accept my apologies.
Your last paragraph hit the nail on the head as far as I'm concerned.
Hipsters = Lost souls craving identity.
Oh, and Mr. Williams, I only read this and your crap for pure entertainment value. Who the fuck buys cotton camo shirts for $225 and a bird call anyway?
Greg D.
So I thought I would chime in here. I feel the comments here to be pretty harsh. What is wrong with trying to source something that is both aesthetically pleasing and practical? Nothing. I for example sourced a selection on vintage 1930's wooden apple crates from Amsterdam to become a bookcase. Why? Because I use it each day and have to look at it.
What Inventory delivers is a certain, well written and well crafted perspective on design, style, culture and fashion. Sure, I too wouldn't wear some of the stuff posted here as Ryan and I have joked about in the past. That does not mean that others shouldn't wear the articles of clothing or covet them.
Each individual has their own tastes, their own likes and dislikes. Inventory is tailored for a specific market. If you don't like the style or the fashion then simply don't read it. What you may find is that you actually don't get it.
The guys here at Inventory deliver original content - something that is lacking across much of the internet. I personally find these kind of posts interesting - but maybe that is because I am a designer, into vintage and retro stuff. Who knows. All I know is that in my life, I am content and I would recommend that V$ gets a) a life and b) some taste. Step away from the chicken bucket, put down the remote control, and get some culture.
Stuart
Fall back Internets.
Fried chicken is in the green now, they have it at Momofuku.
Asshole.
Why are people responding so strongly against a guy who hides behind a comics-like nickname, who is so upfront about his uneasiness for logical debate by not letting people know his email.
He tries to disguise his insecurity with avoidance of confrontation, because deep down he knows he is wrong. Still he does it because he gets kicks out of it when he trolls an internet blog and secretly views our responses which make him feel cared-for.
Am I right Mr. V?
Oh. Great stapler by the way.
ps. can I say that although I do agree with most of V$ comments (and I don't understand why he apologised), I think it needs to be said that serious credit must be given to Ryan for posting the comment. He had every opportunity to remove it but left it nonetheless- you have my utmost respect for your integrity man.
I try to publish all comments, even if they don't make me feel all warm and fuzzy inside...
The website is a bit tricky, and I don't really suggest trying to buy something from them. Old Faithful is where I bought the product and they now have an online store.