Highly commended: Product design of the year 2021. Playfool has designed a set of crayons entirely naturally pigmented by Japanese wood.

Although about two-thirds of Japan is covered with forests, declining import costs have resulted in little incentive to use the country's wood, leaving forests unharvested and unmaintained, increasing the risk of disasters such as landslides.

In response, Forest Crayons aims to inspire a new appreciation for Japan's forests by applying wood in a unique way that not only gives the material a fresh purpose but also reveals the vast, beautiful spectrum of hues that it offers.

Designer: Playfool
Project: Forest Crayons