In a digital landscape where algorithms speak louder than humans, Zenpen stands as a lighthouse of inspiration, unwavering against the tide of digital artificiality. It is that quiet corner of the web where, after the tumult of your day, you may retreat, take a breath, and saunter through quotes that uplift, inspire, and transform.
Unlike other websites of this kind, where quotes are copied repeatedly, and authors’ references fade into oblivion, we aim to point out the exact source. Whether it’s the precise page number of a book being quoted or the actual timestamp of a movie, documentary, or lecture, this helps maintain the credibility of the quote and appropriately attribute the author while at the same time making it easier for you to explore the original and complete source.
In this age of forgetfulness, Zenpen’s mission is to unearth valuable quotes of wisdom and knowledge and honour those who have contributed something genuine through written or spoken words.
God knows, perhaps, in the end, it will be the only human-curated site in a world overtaken by AI’s relentless hum.
The website
We keep this website delightfully simple, eschewing unnecessary flourishes of the visual and moving kind (except when making fun of ourselves, as above… you just scrolled all the way up, right?) and focusing instead on the near-forgotten craft of typography to give you a pleasant and calm reading experience.
On the technical front, the website is built and maintained on Webflow, the website analytics tracked by Pirsch, and the newsletters sent out by Kit.
On the creative front, we use the fonts Aesthet Nova for headings, and Covik Sans for everything else. The cute little illustrations adorned on top of each quote are illustrated by talented earthlings that go by the names of Julia Dreams and The Blushing Penguin.
The business
While Zenpen is our passion project, sustaining growth requires a healthy dose of profit. That’s why we’ve partnered with reputable affiliates, turning most source links below the quotes into affiliate links. When you make a purchase through them, a tiny portion of the royalties comes back to us.
If this financial setup helps us reach the next level, we have further ideas for featuring authors who wish to enhance their visibility through Zenpen. But let’s save those for when the time comes. If you are already finding Zenpen valuable, you may consider donating.
