Our Story

I have been working remotely for more than five years. For the first few years, I wanted everything to be digital. I replaced my notebook with apps: note-taking apps, to-do list apps, mind map apps, and so on. Every so often, I'd find a new app and switch to the shiny new toy.

But no new app could really solve my problems.

I just wasn't taking as much notes as I was before. The tasks on my to-do list apps kept growing until it became stressful. Drawing mind maps and diagrams is a hassle on a laptop.

In 2020, I went back to using a notebook. I started with journalling every night and kept the habit up for months. As I reflected, I realized a simple notebook could do all that I wanted, and fast. Taking notes, listing tasks for the day, and drawing diagrams.

Despite all the technological advancement, simple still does the trick.

I searched around for the notebook I wanted but couldn't find any in the market. The most important component for me is the paper. There shouldn't be ghosting or bleeding. I also didn't need the fancy additional (elastic band, back pocket, branding), which only added to the price. 

That's when I decided to make my own notebooks. Simple notebooks that do the job. After months of searching for suppliers, designing, making samples, and testing, I'm excited to share with you my creation:

The Open Atlas notebooks.

They are minimalistic notebooks with fountain pen-friendly paper and no branding, elastic band, or bookmark. 

I hope you'll like them as much as I do. If you have any feedback, email me at alfred@openatlas.sg. I'd love to hear from you. Thank you!

Alfred Lua
Founder