Skip to main content

This Techy Bookmark Doubles as a Reading Light

By Jahla Seppanen Published February 15, 2023

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Excuse us as we casually geek out over a Japanese bookmark. The Bookmark Light by Yyouei Design, to be specific— a half bookmark, half reading light that is as thin and light as a piece of film.

Go ahead and make fun of us for loving a bookmark. But when is the last time your bookmark won a prestigious German Design Award? (A feat Bookmark Light earned in 2017). Did your reading lamp get chosen for BMW’s i3 & i8 concept exhibition? (Bookmark Light was.) Have any of your book accessories been exhibited in a museum? (Bookmark Light got space in Toyama Prefectural Art, nbd.)

Recommended Videos

So you admit, Bookmark Light may be the coolest thing since, well, books.

It’s a display of Japanese minimalism at its finest, with a clean and simple design infused with smart functionality

Image used with permission by copyright holder

The thin and malleable rectangle is made of a special flattened film. This keeps your place in any book. However, the surface of the film is also printed with nanoparticle ink that transmits electricity. An LED light built into the thin film shines when one lithium coin battery (sold separately) is attached to the end and the bookmark is bent so both ends touch. Once the ends are put together, the circuit printed by the ink carries an electrical current, and presto, you’ve got light!

Kouichi Okamoto is the mastermind behind the product, and co-creator and Head Designer of Kyouei Design. Okamoto was born in Shizuoka City where the company resides and splits his time between modern product invention and music producing.

When’s the last time your bookmark was designed by a techno DJ mixer?

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Other design concepts from Okamoto include a melting table lamp— a bedside light that looks like a bucket of paint being knocked over.

It’s as common to see Kyouei Design products in a museum as it is in everyday life. Many of their pieces are concept pieces commissioned by galleries, like a series of 504 individual music boxes which play delicate sounds in reactor to visitor movement at the Victoria and Albert Museum. Other inventions are made to be dragged through the mud like outdoor deformation shelter tents and trekking-pole chairs.

Bookmark Light is still our favorite.

Designed in Japan, Bookmark Light only runs about $19.43 USD and ships worldwide.

Buy at Kyouei Design

Former Former Digital Trends Contributor, The Manual

Born and raised off-the-grid in New Mexico, Jahla Seppanen is currently a sports, fitness, spirits, and culture writer in…

Culture

Spain outlasts Argentina to win FIFA World Cup and cap sensational tournament

Spain's relentless pressure finally paid off in extra time.

Celebrating, Person, Clothing

And just like that, Argentina's luck ran out. Spain's Ferran Torres emphatically found the back of the net from 8 yards out in extra time to secure La Roja a 1-0 win and the country's second World Cup. Torres' goal came in the 106th minute, but don't let that fool you: this was a one-sided contest from start to finish, and a deeper look at the box score reflects that.

I predicted Spain would beat Argentina, 3-1, and from the start it seemed like that prediction would come to fruition. Spain came out swinging, almost immediately recording two shots on goal, including an early header that came so close to finding the back of the net. Spain's relentless attack was evident throughout the match. La Roja applied pressure with swift passing and precision shots. Just ask Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano "Dibu" Martínez, who seemed to be the only one playing defense, making one spectacular save after another, 11 to be exact.

Culture

England-France playing for third place an instant World Cup classic

It was only for third place, but what a thriller.

Head, Person, Face

If you tuned in for the World Cup England-France game and checked out at halftime, nobody would have blamed you. The Three Lions led 4-0 at the half in a third-place game that was a blowout. You would have been right to assume England was in complete control and France had all but given up. You also would have been forgiven for turning off the TV and moving on to the rest of your Saturday. But for those who stuck it out, you were rewarded for your patience and loyalty.

France didn't waste any time getting on the board just three minutes into the second half with Kylian Mbappé's first goal of the game. Mbappé's goal didn't matter all that much at that point, except if you've been following the Golden Boot race. England still held a commanding 4-1 lead, thanks to goals from Declan Rice (3rd minute), Ezri Konsa (18th), and Bukayo Saka's brace (37th and stoppage time). Saka would complete the hat-trick in the 87th minute with a penalty conversion.

Culture

Argentina vs. Spain — Who do you have in the FIFA World Cup Final?

Argentina has found a way to survive, but is this style of play sustainable?

People, Person, Groupshot

Argentina must have nine lives, right? Somehow, Argentina has found a way to survive at the last minute in just about every one of its 2026 FIFA World Cup matches. Yes, this style of play has had everyone on the edge of their seats. But how long can this style of play really last? So far, the drama has played superbly on TV (much to FOX and Telemundo's delight). But do the defending World Cup champions have one more in them to repeat yet again?

While Argentina, the Group J winner, has yet again reached the final, the road to Sunday's finale at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, hasn't been an easy one. Time and again, Argentina has been on the brink of elimination. Who will ever forget little-known Cape Verde nearly knocking off the defending champs when Argentina needed extra time in the Round of 32 before finally coming away with a 3-2 win.