Episode 41: Finding Life’s System in the Chronodex with Patrick Ng

Stationery is not just lifeless pens and paper to use on your desk. They can be effective tools to make work more productive, and make life more interesting. In this episode, April from @penguinscreative sits down with the ultimate stationery enthusiast and Traveler’s Notebook user from Hong Kong, the famous Patrick Ng at @patrickng. Patrick is the founder of the Chronodex system as well as the force behind creative lifestyle customizations at Manual Factory at LOG-ON Hong Kong.

Patrick embodies the spirit of integrating stationery into all parts of his life. He started the stationery journey working as a stationery buyer at Citysuper, a famous Hong Kong retail chain. With his experience traveling all over the world and meeting other stationery lovers, he was able to apply and elevate the stationery lifestyle in many ways. We dive into Patrick’s tried and true Traveler’s Notebook systems, the tools he uses to simplify his process and make work-life more productive! From the story of the Chronodex to how Manual Factory came about, you wouldn’t want to miss out on Patrick’s stationery philosophy!

Watch the special video version of this episode here:

Episode Highlights

• Patrick Ng featured by Traveler’s Company as a Professional User of Traveler’s Notebook
• Patrick’s influence from his father as a Chinese art painting enthusiasts
• The big Citysuper purchasing fail and learnings from buying 900 planners
• Patrick’s ultimate Traveler’s Notebook set up: 2-3 inserts, a pen loop sleeve, zippered pockets, and loose-leaf task lists! As well as a breakdown of the two things in this system that changes.
• The story of the Chronodex and how it liberates space, and plan around your time (you can download his free Chronodex system, released every 6 months here)
• How Manual Factory started customization and elevating the stationery experience
• Favorite 3-pen systems: a retractable fountain pen, Pentel sign pen, and a mechanical pencil