Test 01Tue 27
Nib Test
It all begins at the tip.
Find the nib that suits your hand.
Pen Week 2026 · The Writing Lab
Design
Test_
Your style writes too.
Classic or contemporary. Minimalist or expressive. Understated or full of personality. A fountain pen’s design says far more than you might imagine. Discover which aesthetic speaks to you and find the one that best reflects your style.
Find your design
TEST 03 / 06 · 29 OCTOBER
02 — Design
Before you write a word,
you’ve already made your choice.
Some fountain pens are recognisable from across the room. Sometimes a silhouette, a clip, a set of stripes or a particular colour combination is all it takes.
And there’s something even more curious: we can feel drawn to a fountain pen without having written a single word with it.
Because choosing a fountain pen isn’t only about deciding how we want to write. It also means choosing an object we’ll look at, touch and use for years.
And that’s where design comes into play.
01 — STYLE
Classic, contemporary or expressive.
Two fountain pens can serve exactly the same function and yet convey completely different personalities.
Classic
Traditional proportions, restrained colours and details that echo the history of writing.
Contemporary
Clean lines, transparencies, innovative materials and new interpretations of the fountain pen.
Expressive
Designs that use colours, patterns, engravings and decorative elements to make the instrument the star.
The question isn’t which is better. It’s which one you’d look at first.
Some fountain pens stand out for the simplicity of their lines and their understated finishes. Others use patterns, decorative materials and contrasts to build a striking visual identity.
A Montegrappa Extra 1930 can captivate with the personality of its materials and details. A Namiki decorated with Maki-e can turn the fountain pen into a work of art.
Some people want an instrument that goes unnoticed. Others love it precisely because it turns heads.
Imagine a black fountain pen with gold trim. Now picture the same pen in dark blue with silver trim. Then transparent. And finally, in a vivid colour.
The shape hasn’t changed. But your perception probably has.
Colour can transform the character of a design without altering its silhouette.
Finishes also influence how we perceive a fountain pen. Gold trim tends to suggest a warmer, more classic aesthetic. Silver trim can feel cleaner and more contemporary.
Engravings, textures and contrasts bring new possibilities.
Sometimes a small detail is enough to change everything.
A fountain pen can look spectacular in a photograph and feel very different when you hold it in your hand.
The diameter of the barrel, the shape of the grip section and the proportions all influence our comfort. Some prefer slim, sleek barrels. Others enjoy sturdier, more substantial designs.
In the end, aesthetics and ergonomics go hand in hand.
The stripes of a Pelikan Souverän. The fluted barrel of a Graf von Faber-Castell Classic. The personality of a Montegrappa Extra 1930. The silhouette of a Platinum #3776 Century.
These are visual codes that become part of a brand’s identity.
Because designing a fountain pen isn’t just about making it beautiful. It’s about giving it personality.
Iguana Magazine · Writing guide
Why do some fountain pens win us over before we’ve even written with them?
Discover how design shapes our preferences.
Classic or contemporary, understated or expressive. Explore how shape, colour, finishes and small details build a fountain pen’s identity, and find out why certain designs draw us in at first sight.
03 — The experiment
Now it’s your turn.
Which design reflects who you are?
You’ve seen some of the elements that give a fountain pen its personality. Now it’s time to find out which ones sit best with your style.
You don’t need to know brands or models. Just look, compare and trust your first reaction.
Design Test · 3 questions
Three questions. Three choices.
One personalised recommendation.
- 01Which aesthetic appeals to you most?
- 02Which colours would you choose?
- 03What do you look for in a design?
04 — The results
Your style
leaves its mark too.
Discover the fountain pens whose design may suit you.
Result 01 — Classic
Elegance that endures.
You’re drawn to traditional proportions, refined details and designs that keep their personality over time.
Classic fountain pens can offer you that combination of elegance, tradition and timeless character.
Your trait
Elegance
A selection for you · Design: Classic
We’ve selected fountain pens with designs that may match your aesthetic preferences.
[Product photo]
Design: Classic · 01[Brand · Model][Price]
[Product photo]
Design: Classic · 02[Brand · Model][Price]
[Product photo]
Design: Classic · 03[Brand · Model][Price]
[Product photo]
Design: Classic · 04[Brand · Model][Price]
Your result is meant as a guide. Design also affects ergonomics and comfort, so we always recommend trying a fountain pen before you choose.
05 — Iguana Personal Advisor
Your formula is personal.
So is our advice.
The Writing Lab tests are the starting point for discovering your preferences. But choosing a fountain pen also means finding the one that suits your hand, your writing and the way you like to use it.
Thinking of buying a fountain pen?
Our team of specialists can help you choose, with your needs, preferences and budget in mind.
ONLINE · BY APPOINTMENT
Speak to a specialist
Book an appointment with our team for personalised advice.
Book an appointment06 — The Writing Lab · Special experience
Your handwriting says a lot about you.
Because everyone’s handwriting is as unique as they are.
At The Writing Lab we explore writing instruments, but there’s something that makes them truly personal: the way you write.
Graphology invites us to look at the strokes, slant and size of our letters and explore what they might suggest about our personality.
Graphology offers interpretations for guidance only, not scientifically validated personality assessments.
07 — Analysis
The tests
Six ways to explore your writing. Find out which features suit you best through short interactive experiences.
Take the test
Test 02Wed 28
Material Test
Touch writes too.
Find the material that feels like you.
Test 03Thu 29
Design Test
Your style writes too.
Find the design that says who you are.
Test 04Fri 30
Filling Test
Every pen has its ritual.
Find your filling system.
Test 05Sat 31
Ink Test
Bring colour to your words.
Find the ink that’s unmistakably you.
Test 06Sun 1
Balance Test
Weight changes the feel.
Discover your ideal pen weight.