Palettacom Modular Desk Set

Bandai, Japan, c. 1985–1986

A rare modular desk set from mid-1980s Japan, designed as a geometric puzzle. Produced by Bandai as part of its B collection line, Palettacom reflects Japan’s interpretation of post-Memphis design culture. Complete with original tools and Japanese instruction booklet.

__

Designed and produced in Japan in the mid-1980s, Palettacom is a modular desk set conceived as both a functional stationery kit and a geometric puzzle. Each element — ruler, cutter, compass, scissors, markers, and measuring tools — fits precisely within the square case, forming a bold composition of primary colors and graphic shapes.

Produced by Bandai as part of its B collection, a short-lived line dedicated to design-forward objects, Palettacom reflects Japan’s engagement with postmodern and Memphis-influenced aesthetics during the 1980s. While not associated with Ettore Sottsass or Olivetti, its visual language echoes the era’s radical design experiments and corporate design culture.

This example is complete, including all original components and the original Japanese instruction booklet, which explains the modular “puzzle” assembly of the set. The case bears a later-applied Olivetti corporate sticker, likely added during its use within a design or office context.

A rare and playful object at the intersection of industrial design, stationery, and sculptural form, Palettacom is increasingly sought after by collectors of 1980s postmodern design.