Benji's of Brooklyn: A Passion Project by TC Chou

In one of New York’s most charming neighborhoods, just blocks from the park and bustling avenues, Benji’s of Brooklyn stands as a testament to the creative resilience of TC Chou, a celebrated AD-100 architect and founder of the NYC-based firm Design Determination. This venture, born during the pandemic, marries art and technology in a way that redefines the stationary business.

Benji’s began as a creative outlet for TC during a period when the world slowed down.

“The pandemic gave everybody a chance to reconnect with themselves,” TC reflects.

For him, this reconnection meant returning to his roots in sketching and illustration. What started as personal sketches soon evolved into a project that merged his architectural precision and artistic flair.

“I was thinking about the easiest way to share my illustrations and art with people — to help connect them, especially during the pandemic,” he shares.

At its core, Benji’s offers stationery that reflects TC’s aesthetic — timeless, elegant, and personal. His designs, ranging from birds observed in his backyard to the Statue of Liberty with balloons, tell intimate stories of his surroundings and experiences.

“The first batch of cards literally depicted what I saw from my brownstone in Brooklyn,” TC says.

These sketches, often featuring muted golds and whites, radiate a soothing yet vibrant energy.

However, TC’s vision for Benji’s didn’t stop with traditional stationery. Inspired by a friend in the tech sector, he began exploring the possibilities of augmented reality (AR). This innovation birthed the Miragi AR cards, where art comes to life, echoing the dynamic storytelling of Harry Potter’s magical newspapers.

“My marketing team wanted me to document my creative process, but I wanted something more engaging,” he explains. “AR lets me tell a story behind the graphics — making them move and come alive.”

Benji’s of Brooklyn blends the old-world charm of handwritten messages with cutting-edge technology. TC’s commitment to revitalizing personal connection is evident in his choice to leave many of the cards blank, encouraging users to pen their own heartfelt messages.

“The reason the stationery business is declining is that people have gotten lazy,” TC says candidly. “I want to challenge that. Writing your own words is important — it’s personal, it’s meaningful.”

Beyond its artistic and technological appeal, Benji’s holds a deeper significance for TC. Named after his dog, the business symbolizes resilience and collaboration. During the pandemic, TC’s interior design projects came to a halt, but instead of scaling back, he rallied his team to pivot and build something new.

“It really became a special project for all of us during that time,” he says.

Today, Benji’s of Brooklyn represents more than just beautiful stationery — it’s a celebration of creativity, connection, and innovation. As TC puts it, “Technology should be a tool to help, not destroy. The print and AR can coexist, bringing something helpful to human relationships in this current time.”

With its roots firmly planted in artistry and innovation, Benji’s of Brooklyn is poised to inspire a new wave of creativity and connection, one card at a time.