Pulse Peni by Leila Ensaniat is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2025 A' Design Award Gula in Hoʻolālā Paʻi ʻEkolu Ana a me Huahana Paʻi ʻEkolu Ana Competition Category.

GulaPaʻi ʻEkolu Ana· 2025

Pulse Peni

by Leila Ensaniat

Client: N I L A

A' Design Award Gula Winner in Paʻi ʻEkolu Ana Category

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Verified Award Winner

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Colors

The Design

About Pulse Peni

He peni ʻo Pulse i hoʻolālā ʻia ma ke ʻano he mea kākau a he kiʻi kālai pū kekahi. Ua hoʻoulu ʻia ke ʻano o kona kino e ke kinona mālie o kekahi ao a ʻike ʻia me he mea lā e lana ana. Na nā lauana i hana ʻia mai ke ʻano kūlohelohe e hoʻokumu i nā ʻano kino e like me ko ke ola ma luna o ka ʻili. Hana ʻia ʻo Pulse ma o ka hoʻoheheʻe ʻana i ka pilali nalowale, he ʻano hana e hoʻopuka hou ana i nā kikoʻī kūlohelohe maikaʻi loa. Hiki ke hoʻoheheʻe ʻia ka peni ma ka ʻalumina, ke kālā, ke keleawe a i ʻole ke gula, me ka pau ʻana i ʻānai ʻia a i ʻole i palaki ʻia. He 160 mm ke kiʻekiʻe a he 13.5 mm ke anawaena. Hoʻohui ka hoʻomaʻemaʻe metala i ka hohonu, ke ʻano o ka ʻili a me ke ʻano hoʻopā i kekahi mea maʻamau o kēlā me kēia lā.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award Gula

Ua lanakila ka hoʻolālā Pulse Peni i ka A' Design Award Gula, he ʻike hoʻohanohano nui loa i hāʻawi ʻia i nā hoʻolālā pae mua, kupaianaha a kūʻokoʻa. He mau hana hou loa, ʻike maka a nani hoʻolaʻa nā lanakila Gula e hōʻike ana i ka ʻuhane akamai, ka naʻauao a me ka mākau o kā lākou poʻe hoʻolālā. Manaʻo ʻia ʻo ka hoʻolālā Pulse Peni he mea hoʻokumu i hoʻomaikaʻi nui ʻia, e hoʻokumu ana i nā ʻano hou, he nui, e hāʻawi ana i ka waiwai ʻaʻole i ʻike ʻia ma mua. ʻO kēia hoʻolālā i lanakila i ka A' Design Award Gula he papahana kupaianaha, mahalo ʻia e hāʻawi i ka pōmaikaʻi nui a hoʻoneʻe i nā palena o ka hana noʻeau, ka ʻepekema, ka hoʻolālā a me ka ʻenehana. Hoʻāla ka hoʻolālā Pulse Peni i nā manaʻo makemake ikaika, hoʻāla i ka ʻiʻini, hoʻoulu i ka hana noʻeau a hoʻopūliki iā mākou.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.

Unique Properties: This project explores the potential of generative patterns inspired by nature, transforming them into biomorphic structures that enhance both the visual and functional qualities of the product. By experimenting with a variety of metal finishing techniques, the design gains depth, texture, and subtle reflection, turning a simple object into a tactile and visual experience. The process also offered valuable insight into the craftsmanship of metal finishing and plating, bridging digital design with traditional material processes.
Dimensions & Packaging: Pen Height: 160 mm
Pen Diameter: 13.5 mm
Materials: Cast in aluminum, silver, bronze, or gold (via lost wax method)
Finish: Polished or brushed metal options
Tags: Floating Pen, Sculptural Object, Biomorphic Design, Generative Pattern, Everyday Object, Nature-Inspired, Minimal Design, Tactile Experience, Functional Sculpture, Craftsmanship, Artistic Tool
Production Technology: The piece is crafted using the lost wax method (investment casting), allowing for precise reproduction of organic, detailed forms. It can be cast in a range of metals, including aluminum, silver, bronze, and even real gold offering versatility in both finish and value. This traditional technique brings a refined, timeless quality to a contemporary design.
Design Challenge: The challenge was to redesign a familiar object, the pen. into a sculptural, functional piece. Inspired by nature, the biomorphic form required careful balance between aesthetics and ergonomics. Lost wax casting was chosen to capture detail, but limited studio access during early 2022 required adaptability and hands-on experimentation. This process deepened the understanding of material, craft, and emotional design.
Research: This project explores the balance between everyday function and sculptural form by reimagining the pen as a minimal, floating object inspired by the elegance of a cloud. Biomorphic patterns and surface treatments enhance its tactile and visual quality. Crafted through lost wax casting in aluminum, silver, bronze, and gold, Pulse blends traditional metalwork with contemporary design to create a writing tool that invites interaction and reflection.
Inspiration: Pulse is a floating pen, inspired by the quiet grace of a cloud. It brings new life to an everyday object that has remained unchanged for years. Light, calm, and balanced, it invites a moment of pause in a busy day. Each detail was shaped to feel natural, clear, and easy to use a small object made with care, to feel just right in your hand and your space.
Project Duration: The project began in January 2022 in Los Angeles and was completed in February 2023. It started as an exploration of surface treatments that could transform the pen from a simple writing instrument into a sculptural object. This artistic approach guided the design process from concept to completion
Operation Flow: Pulse functions as a writing tool, but invites interaction as a sculptural object. Its form encourages touch, exploration, and visual appreciation even when not in use. The unique surface treatments add depth and texture, creating a tactile experience that goes beyond writing. More than a pen, it becomes a moment of pause and beauty on your desk.
Patents: Image #1 by Leila Ensaniat
Image #2 by Leila Ensaniat
Image #3 by Leila Ensaniat
Image #4 by Leila Ensaniat
Image #5 by Leila Ensaniat