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Take 5: The Joy of Risograph, a Weighted Blanket Alternative + More

Every other week we’re inviting one of the Design Milk team to share five personal favorites – an opportunity for each of us to reveal the sort of designs we use and appreciate in our own lives from a more personal perspective. Senior editor Kelly Beall returns this week for our Take 5 series.

06.13.23 | By
Take 5: The Joy of Risograph, a Weighted Blanket Alternative + More

1. Grovemade’s Stainless Steel Task Knife

Not classified as a pocketknife or utility knife, Grovemade’s Task Knife is designed for lighter duties – though opening boxes is noted as a job at which it excels. Available in Black, Stainless Steel, or Brass finishes, the machined stainless steel is raw, preserving the marks created during the manufacturing process and ensuring no one knife is like another. All of Grovemade’s product are well-designed and thoughtfully created, so you can be sure its task knife is durable enough that you’ll be passing it on to future generations.

light-skinned person holding up a large piece of red, green, and tan woven art

2. ‘Knotting Knitting’ by Ana María Gómez

I haven’t been able to to get this piece out of my head since first seeing it. At first glance, it appeared to be textile art, but after reading more I learned that it’s actually meant to be used. It can be shaped to sit, sleep, read, cover up, or lie down, actively adapting to your body. Constructed using filled, knitted bands, ‘Knotting Knitting’ is a colorful, uneven composition that looks as good as I imagine it to feel in person. Made in a small Belgian atelier, it uses a combination of handcrafted and industrial techniques and is made of 35% merino wool, 15% viscose, and 50% acrylic on the exterior. The inside padding is made of recycled polyester.

two red and blue beach towels with an abstract contrasting line pattern

3. Brooklinen’s Artist Series Beach Towel

When was the last time you bought a new beach towel? It had been a minute for me – then I saw Brooklinen’s artist-designed beach towels. Made using a combination of velour and terry, they’re thick but not too thick, ultra-absorbent, and extremely soft for lounging (while using SPF, of course). Choose from five prints by artists Josh Cochran, Megan Badilla, and Kathy Nash and carry your style outdoors this summer.

red and pink risograph of an illustrated seal emerging from a peeling banana

4. ‘Banana Seal’ Riso Print from Strangford

Risograph continues to be one of my favorite printing techniques. The process is similar to screen printing, but made easier through the use of a special printer. Sometimes referred to as “digital screen printing,” riso is known for its textures and extremely vivid colors that other printers can’t create. Northern Ireland-based artist Strangford’s whimsical riso prints are smile-inducing, saturated, and oftentimes unexpected. My favorite is ‘Banana Seal’ – it comes in three color combinations: lilac and light green, red and light pink, and sky blue and fluorescent yellow.

light-skinned arms holding on to a grey square pillow

5. The Original Weighted Pillow from Quiet Mind

I had high hopes that weighted blankets would be the answer to turning the volume down in my mind come bedtime. But, that didn’t end up being the case. While I enjoyed the weight distribution, after about 20 minutes I’d start feeling claustrophobic – not exactly relaxing. The Original Weighted Pillow is more targeted, and I find its size and heft perfect for snuggling up with or laying on top of my chest for comfort. You can also reach for it during sensory overload, for pain relief, to lower stress levels, or to help increase your attention span. It comes in three sizes and weights and two colors.

Kelly Beall is Director of Branded Content at Design Milk. The Pittsburgh-based writer and designer has had a deep love of art and design for as long as she can remember, from Fashion Plates to MoMA and far beyond. When not searching out the visual arts, she's likely sharing her favorite finds with others. Kelly can also be found tracking down new music, teaching herself to play the ukulele, or on the couch with her three pets – Bebe, Rainey, and Remy. Find her @designcrush on social.