Building on my ongoing passion for elevating the user experience by seamlessly blending physical and digital, I challenged myself during four days in the winter of 2025 by designing a new form of smart pen for tablets. Marker Pro is a smart pen that uses haptic feedback and tactile interaction, proven to support short-term focus, to help sharpen the user’s concentration and immersion, as well as to promote a more memorable user experience.

The design of the Markper Pro draws from the familiar form of the graphite pencil with its faceted surfaces, as well as classical influences like Greek Doric columns. These elements come together in a form defined by iconic grooves that contrast with a softer, more sculpted inner core. It’s a tribute to the pen as an elegant and timeless instrument for creativity. 

When writing, drawing, or doing anything that involves a pen, taking off the cap acts as a subtle cue; it signals that it’s time to focus. I refer to the time between removing the cap and putting it back on as the "Window of Focus". With my design, I wanted to support and strengthen this moment of intentional concentration. Although the cap no longer serves its original practical purpose, like keeping the tip from drying out, with the Marker Pro, I’ve reimagined it as a meaningful point of interaction, adding purpose and intention to the user experience. This is illustrated in the images below.

When inspiration hits and it’s time to bring an idea to life, removing the pen cap instantly wakes the tablet, signaling the start of a focused session. Placing the cap back on the tip sends the tablet to sleep, marking the end of that creative moment.

When the cap has been attached on the rotating knob at the back of the pen, the user taps it to toggle between different options such as pens and colors.

The Marker Pro provides haptic feedback as the user rotates the cap to select a color or favorite pen. 

Flat surface with a plastic
strip for magnetic charging.

The cap slides onto the grooved knob for rotational stability, then attaches magnetically for coaxial stability.

The end knob can be rotated at any time, for example when scrolling through long documents.

Despite limited prototyping possibilities at home, I did some simple prototyping to get a sense of scale, proportions and overall ergonomics of the concept.