WORKING HANDS: Tiffanie Tran

As a stationery brand, we are always curious how and what people use our stationery goods for. With this blog series, focusing on the hands at "work" and beyond, we ask five questions about the usage and meaning of the stationery tools to our friends in Los Angeles.

It's March and at least in LA, Spring is here.
For the thirty-fifth post, we visited a graphic designer and a faculty at CalArts, Tiffanie Tran and her resident cat, Sofie at her home / studio in Lincoln Heights neighborhood.

Tiffanie Tran smiles at a table with red drinks and washi tape as a calico cat fills the foreground.

Q1. a. How do you use your Steel Oval Tray? We see many mint colors for your desktop items which are so nice and cheerful! Do you always like the color mint?

The tray is so handy for all my go-to items that used to take me forever to find. Now they have a happy home in a mint yellow boat. I didn’t realize it until you pointed it out, but this is totally my current favorite color! I’m feeling minty and tangy these days.

Desk scene with a green notebook, mint mug, and a yellow Storage Caddy holding pens, tape and a stapler.

Q1. b. We are so happy you use Hightide planner - 2026 Monthly Planner Fugen A5. How do you like it?

It’s been great to sketch out the school semester and get a feeling of how much time is in between assignments and deadlines. I’m currently counting down the weeks until Spring Break 😬

Open monthly planner marked with pink and orange dots, an orange-capped pen resting on it, and a metal ruler nearby.

Q1. c. You have a nice collection of Hataguchi Collective Box Card Sets. What occasions do you send a greeting card?

I looove these cards – they’re printed so beautifully and can be used for any occasion. I’ve sent one to console a friend after her beloved pet passed away, my dad as a last minute Father’s Day card, and many birthdays!

Open stationery box holding mint scalloped-pattern cards and a plain envelope on a wooden desk.

Q1. d. Last but not least, the Papier Labo. wall calendar! What made you grab this calendar for 2026?

The cool lettering is what caught my eye! I’ve also been enjoying looking up the Japanese holidays listed, such as Greenery Day and Respect for the Aged Day.

Wall calendar with rows of blue and red dates hangs on a pale wall beside a dark wood window frame.

Q2. In our technology driven world, what does it mean to make things by your hand to you?

It feels very centering to make things by hand. I get so lost in the digital world.

Wooden bookshelf packed with books, notebooks and boxes across several shelves, lit from one side.

Hand-crocheted turquoise mitten ornament with a small snowman, hanging from a dark red cabinet knob.

Hand-crocheted ornament by Tiffanie's mom.

Q3. Pencils or Mechanical Pencils?

Mechanical pencils are too dainty for me. I shudder when the skinny lead snaps. I love a healthy bold B pencil!

Teal Penco B6 General Notebook on a wood desk with two large red paperclips and a checked knit blanket.

Q4. What’s in your pen case – Penco® Storage Caddy in Large?

Lots of stuff for making cards and sending out mail — an xacto knife, stickers, dots, washi tapes, and drawing tools. It almost looks like a Tiff starter kit.

Orange Storage Caddy/ L filled with pens, pencils, scissors and paper scraps on a wooden desk.

Pictured above: Tiff's starter kit stored in Penco® Storage Caddy in yellow, large. Besides the kit, a stack of bumper stickers, Tiffanie designed. It says Keep APPRECIATING.

Q5. What is your most favorite stationery?

I love the loose paper ends at McManus and Morgan in MacArthur Park. Gary, the shopkeeper, sells them by the dime!

A hand fanning out purple, pink and pale grey paper sheets on a wooden desk beside a green pouch.

Framed landscape painting on a dark wood mantel beside a green "Keep Appreciating!" sign, small artwork and pink stone.

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Tiffanie Tran is an LA based graphic designer and faculty at CalArts. Her design work includes several print designs for Los Angeles Public Library, spirited merch designs for Vidéothèque, the dazzling packaging design for the recent reissue of Flora by Hiroshi Yoshimura and more!

Tiffanie's Instagram
Tiffanie's website