ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Yuan Design Studio's Golden Ratio Paperclip Blends Math and Office Utility

architecture-design · 2026-08-19

The 1.618 Golden Ratio Paperclip from Yuan Design Studio transforms the concept of phi into a practical desk accessory. Unlike ordinary wire clips, this design features nested geometric frames crafted from laser-cut spring steel, all presented in a matte black finish that exudes an industrial aesthetic. Its spiral curvature allows it to hold pages securely without creating deep indentations. When attached to a book, the open grid design frames text and images like a lens. The studio has also developed complementary sets inspired by golden triangles and nested golden circles. With smooth laser-cut edges and spring memory, this clip maintains its grip over time. The project showcases how abstract mathematics can manifest as a tangible everyday item and is currently available for exploration on Kickstarter.

Key facts

  • Yuan Design Studio designed the 1.618 Golden Ratio Paperclip.
  • The paperclip incorporates the golden ratio number phi.
  • It is made from spring steel with laser-cut nested geometric frames.
  • The matte black finish gives it an industrial aesthetic.
  • It functions both as a paperclip and as a visual viewfinder.
  • Matching sets are based on golden triangles and nested golden circles.
  • The design is marketed on Kickstarter.
  • Spring memory ensures the clip maintains its grip over time.

Entities

Institutions

  • Yuan Design Studio
  • Kickstarter

Sources