Empirical Journal
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Empirical Journal

$18.90

(221 customer reviews)

A journal crafted to guard your deepest thoughts—worthy of your legacy, and fit for the beginnings of a magnum opus. Inspired by Carl Jung’s Red Book, it’s made for those who take reflection seriously. This isn’t a book to be filled—it’s one to return to. Built to restore presence and permanence to the act of writing.

Technical specifications of the Empirical Journal:

  • Bound in red vegan leather with a deep-textured finish
  • Filled with 160 pages of archival-grade, cream-toned paper
  • 120 gsm Paper thickness to prevent bleed & ghosting
  • Subtle layout – date field, soft grid, and generous margins
  • Lay-flat stitched binding for ease of use
  • Integrated metal bookmark stopper for repeat access
  • A5 format designed for journaling & long-form writing
  • Includes matching red ballpoint pen for daily utility
  • Presented in a red storage box for gifting or safekeeping
  • Built to be kept for years to come
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Category:

Description

The Empirical Journal was created for those who treat writing not as output—but as a ritual. Inspired by Carl Jung’s Red Book, it is a space for thought to take form, for reflection to return, and for something lasting to begin.

Bound in textured red vegan leather and filled with thick, archival-grade paper, this journal was built to outlast passing moods. Every page is structured with intention: generous margins, subtle grid, a quiet space for the date. It’s a journal designed not to be filled quickly, but to be returned to over time.

Whether you are documenting thought, composing personal philosophy, or building a legacy—this is a journal that respects the weight of what you choose to write.

It doesn’t ask for performance. Only presence.

Design Process

We began with a simple question: why do most people stop journaling?
Our answer—most journals aren’t worth returning to.

From there, we designed the Empirical Red Journal to feel permanent. We selected a deep-textured vegan leather cover, bold in colour and weight. The paper inside is archival-grade, cream-toned, and thick enough to resist bleed and ghosting—so your words remain legible long after the moment has passed.

The layout is purposefully minimal: a date field, soft grid, and open margins for writing, sketching, or thinking freely. Lay-flat stitching supports extended sessions, and a built-in metal bookmark stopper makes each return feel deliberate. The A5 size was chosen for its balance of portability and space.

Each journal comes with a matching red ballpoint pen for daily use, and is housed in a custom-designed red box—for protection, for presence, and for the feeling that what you’re about to write matters.

221 reviews for Empirical Journal

  1. Umar Fong –

    Smells like real leather. Love the classic design.

  2. Farah Pang –

    Perfect for journaling. Has a quiet presence on my desk.

  3. Cheryl Chong –

    Took it on a trip and it aged beautifully with use.

  4. Pei Ling Yap –

    Really like the stitching and finishing.

  5. Samuel Seow –

    Has that old-school writer’s feel I’ve been looking for.

  6. Xiang Lee –

    My morning pages have found their perfect home.

  7. Valerie Kamal –

    Makes writing feel intentional.

  8. Denise Chua –

    Beautiful leather texture. I use it daily and it still looks brand new.

  9. Tracy Toh –

    Compact, premium, and inspiring to use.

  10. Wen Jie Chan –

    Good balance of aesthetics and utility.

  11. Jasmine Tan –

    It lays flat, feels premium, and has just the right page thickness.

  12. Rachel Salleh –

    I’ve tried many journals but this one stands out for build and finish.

  13. Adrian Khoo –

    Could use a pen loop, but otherwise perfect.

  14. Rachel Fong –

    A pleasure to carry around. I even enjoy just holding it.

  15. Valerie Chong –

    Slightly heavier than expected but worth it for the feel.

  16. Darren Mak –

    Great binding and easy to write on both sides of the page.

  17. Farah Roslan –

    Soft to the touch, but structured. It feels solid.

  18. Wen Jie Quek –

    Understated and elegant. It invites you to write.

  19. Xiang Sulaiman –

    Affordable yet feels bespoke. Excellent value.

  20. Adrian Lee –

    I write with fountain pens and there’s no bleed-through.

  21. Marcus Foo –

    Bought one, then bought two more for friends.

  22. Gerald Seow –

    Could easily charge double for this. Glad they don’t.

  23. Jia Koh –

    Perfect gift for someone who takes their writing seriously.

  24. Iman Aziz –

    Love the integrated bookmark. Such a thoughtful detail.

  25. Karen Hashim –

    Beautiful journal. Slightly bulky for travel but I bring it anyway.

  26. Olivia Yeoh –

    Has that old-school writer’s feel I’ve been looking for.

  27. Belinda Phang –

    Comparable to journals costing three times as much.

  28. Karthik Pillai –

    For the quality, the price is reasonable.

  29. Yi Ling Kwok –

    Gifted to my brother. Now I want one too.

  30. Hubert Saw –

    Wonderful purchase.

  31. Iris Roslan –

    Could use a pen loop, but otherwise perfect.

  32. Lina Talib –

    Solid product. Could do with a slightly thinner cover for portability.

  33. Cheryl Hee –

    Aesthetic that takes itself seriously without being pretentious.

  34. Jun Wei Phua –

    Bought it for a creative project. Perfect companion.

  35. Gladys Phua –

    Couldn’t be happier.

  36. Clarence Lai –

    Exactly what I was looking for.

  37. Sofea Ibrahim –

    Reminds me why writing by hand still matters.

  38. Jia Chee –

    Fair price for what you get.

  39. Sofea Salleh –

    Supporting Melvin’s brand was a no-brainer. Quality justifies it.

  40. Idris Said –

    Spine holds up well. Doesn’t crack.

  41. Sebastian Ibrahim –

    Best journal I’ve owned for long-form writing.

  42. Belinda Pang –

    Bought for my partner. Bought one for myself too.

  43. Raihan Liew –

    The storage box keeps it pristine when not in use.

  44. Eunice Lim –

    Use it for poetry. Paper holds up to a heavy hand.

  45. Lydia Goh –

    Wonderful journal. The box is nice but I worry about storing it long-term.

  46. Clarence Saw –

    Paper quality is exceptional. Worth every ringgit.

  47. Jasmine Pua –

    Lovely product. Took a while to arrive but worth the wait.

  48. Arjun Singh –

    Soft grid layout is perfect. Not too prominent, not too faint.

  49. Hannah Yeo –

    Replaces three other journals I had on rotation.

  50. Zhi Hao Chan –

    Saw it featured on Melvin’s account. Glad I picked one up.

  51. Belinda Khoo –

    Truly happy with this.

  52. Vikram Pillai –

    Better than the journals I bought in Florence years ago.

  53. Amira Razak –

    Helped me get back into a journaling habit after years.

  54. Adam Ooi –

    Solid construction throughout. No corners cut.

  55. Wilson Tay –

    Lay-flat is no joke. Makes a real difference.

  56. Brendan Tan –

    Smooth paper. Pens glide across it.

  57. Nicholas Fong –

    Good for sketching too, not just writing.

  58. Hui Min Chee –

    Took it to a writing retreat. Held up perfectly.

  59. Sebastian Fong –

    Perfect for daily journaling and longer reflections.

  60. Rahim Kamal –

    Beautifully boxed. Makes for a stunning gift.

  61. Jing Hee –

    Started using it during a transition in my life. Felt right.

  62. Chee Keong Kwok –

    Worth every ringgit.

  63. Yong Ong –

    Took me through a difficult month. Glad I had it.

  64. Suresh Raj –

    Found out about this through Empirical Thought. Quality matches the brand.

  65. Hakim Bakar –

    Something about it makes me sit down and think.

  66. Lydia Saw –

    It changes how I write. Makes me more deliberate.

  67. Jocelyn Chee –

    Has a quiet presence on my desk.

  68. Carmen Yeo –

    Use it for sermon notes. Lays flat next to my Bible.

  69. Tracy Wee –

    The presentation box adds a nice touch.

  70. Edwin Heng –

    Excellent journal. Only wish it had more pages.

  71. Olivia Ng –

    I’ve tried many journals but this one stands out for build and finish.

  72. Faye Quek –

    Four stars only because I wish the lines were slightly darker.

  73. Mariam Pang –

    It lays flat, feels premium, and has just the right page thickness.

  74. Beatrice Yeo –

    Lay-flat binding is everything. Game changer.

  75. Divya Singh –

    Better value than the imported ones I’ve bought.

  76. Jasmine Tham –

    A keeper.

  77. Yong Yeoh –

    Great journal. The pen that comes with it is fine but I prefer my own.

  78. Sandra Fong –

    Vegan leather but feels like the real thing. Very impressed.

  79. Liyana Hassan –

    It looks the part. Feels like a real journal should.

  80. Yong Yong –

    Beautiful and well made. A slightly larger size option would be nice.

  81. Mariam Yusof –

    Up there with the best journals I’ve owned.

  82. Vivian Hwang –

    Use it daily for reflections and gratitude entries.

  83. Esther Chan –

    Lovely build. Just wish it had a ribbon bookmark in addition to the metal one.

  84. Carmen Liew –

    Cover holds up well. No scuffs even after weeks of daily use.

  85. Raj Krishnan –

    I keep it bedside. Last thing I touch before sleep.

  86. Priscilla Ong –

    Wish it came in other colours. Otherwise faultless.

  87. Roy Mak –

    Subtle grid keeps things tidy without imposing.

  88. Kai Foo –

    No ghosting on either side. Finally.

  89. Adam Mahmud –

    Has become part of my morning ritual.

  90. Siti Sulaiman –

    Lovely object. A bookmark ribbon in addition to the metal stopper would be ideal.

  91. Esther Chia –

    Thick paper means I can use both sides.

  92. Marwan Loh –

    Has a presence. Doesn’t sit on the shelf, demands to be used.

  93. Vikram Menon –

    Perfect for journaling. Has a quiet presence on my desk.

  94. Justin Saw –

    Use it for both journaling and planning. Works for both.

  95. Mei Lee –

    I keep it bedside. Last thing I touch before sleep.

  96. Jia Ho –

    Writing in this feels like an event. Not a chore.

  97. Shanti Patel –

    Solid product. Would have liked a pocket at the back.

  98. Marwan Wahab –

    Cover feels substantial. Nothing flimsy about it.

  99. Tariq Wahab –

    Comparable to Smythson but at a fraction of the price.

  100. Pei Ling Kwok –

    The stitching is beautifully done.

  101. Carmen Saw –

    Gets me out of my head and onto the page.

  102. Justin Ong –

    Genuinely beautiful object.

  103. Edwin Toh –

    I write with fountain pens and there is no bleed-through.

  104. Audrey Fong –

    Got it as a gift. Already ordering more for others.

  105. Daniel Heng –

    Whole package feels premium. Box and all.

  106. Mei Chong –

    Beautiful leather finish. Looks better in person than in the photos.

  107. Deborah Liew –

    Will be my go-to gift for thoughtful friends.

  108. Anika Nair –

    Don’t hesitate. Just buy it.

  109. Pei Ling Ng –

    Was looking for a serious journal. This is it.

  110. Roy Loh –

    Reminds me why writing by hand still matters.

  111. Adam Ibrahim –

    Looks like something you’d find in a library from the 1800s.

  112. Kenneth Fong –

    Excellent except for the slight smell when new. Faded after a week.

  113. Nurul Hassan –

    Texture on the cover is gorgeous. Keeps catching my eye.

  114. Adrian Phang –

    Premium feel but a little large to slip into a small bag.

  115. Charmaine Heng –

    Stitching is tight. Built to last.

  116. Faris Hassan –

    Really like the stitching and finishing.

  117. Mei Khoo –

    Got it last month and already on my second one. Filled the first.

  118. Tariq Yong –

    Affordable yet feels bespoke. Excellent value.

  119. Nurul Idris –

    It’s the kind of object you just enjoy looking at.

  120. Pei Ling Hwang –

    My morning pages have found their perfect home.

  121. Divya Reddy –

    Love that it comes in a proper box. Feels considered.

  122. Hafiz Roslan –

    Better than the Italian leather journals I’ve used before.

  123. Adrian Wee –

    Great craftsmanship. Wish the box was sturdier for long-term storage.

  124. Clarence Koh –

    A pleasure to carry around. I even enjoy just holding it.

  125. Wilson Ooi –

    Compact, premium, and inspiring to use.

  126. Clarence Loo –

    Loved it from the moment I unboxed it.

  127. Wei Lim –

    Inspires me to actually finish entries.

  128. Sofea Rahman –

    The texture of the cover is something else. Premium.

  129. Najwa Chan –

    Layout is exactly right. Nothing extra, nothing missing.

  130. Justin Teo –

    Quality is great. Would love a slim version for travel.

  131. Bernard Mustafa –

    Filled half of it in a month. Already eyeing the next one.

  132. Putri Wahab –

    Top quality.

  133. Hui Ying Sim –

    Makes me want to write better. Doesn’t feel like a place for shopping lists.

  134. Wen Jie Chan –

    Love the journal. The pen is a bit basic for the price.

  135. Alvin Cheong –

    Bought one for myself and one for my sister. Both love it.

  136. Winnie Foo –

    Looks expensive. Doesn’t cost as much as it looks.

  137. Shanti Sharma –

    Cover quality exceeded expectations.

  138. Jun Wei Choo –

    It opens flat without forcing. Beautifully made.

  139. Kenneth Yeoh –

    Sits beautifully on my bookshelf.

  140. Felix Phang –

    Took it on a trip and it aged beautifully with use.

  141. Amira Roslan –

    Affordable yet feels bespoke. Excellent value.

  142. Kenneth Wong –

    Beautiful journal. Slightly stiff opening for the first few uses but loosens up.

  143. Deborah Ho –

    Archival paper is a nice touch. Will last.

  144. Aisha Mustafa –

    Beautiful object. Pure and simple.

  145. Meera Nair –

    Slightly heavier than expected but worth it for the feel.

  146. Samuel Goh –

    Aesthetic alone makes me want to write.

  147. Jing Boey –

    Made me start journaling again after years away.

  148. Zainab Said –

    The whole thing feels intentional.

  149. Meera Raj –

    Paper has a slight grain. Pleasant to write on.

  150. Jonathan Ho –

    Feels weightier than writing in a regular notebook.

  151. Jia Lau –

    Tried Moleskine, Leuchtturm, this. This wins.

  152. Eunice Chin –

    The cream-toned paper is easy on the eyes.

  153. Shanti Menon –

    Love how the cover wears in. Looks better with use.

  154. Alvin Chua –

    Was on the fence for weeks. Should have ordered sooner.

  155. Khairul Kwok –

    Minimalist in the right way. Not stark, just considered.

  156. Yasmin Sulaiman –

    Beautiful. Wish there was a softer paper option for fountain pen users.

  157. Anika Singh –

    Excellent journal. The matching pen could be of higher quality.

  158. Eunice Ng –

    Beautiful object. Pleasure to own.

  159. Qistina Hassan –

    Bold red, beautifully done. Not gaudy at all.

  160. Tracy Hwang –

    Build quality is on another level.

  161. Hafiz Ibrahim –

    Really good but I wish it had numbered pages.

  162. Nurul Razak –

    Understated and elegant. It invites you to write.

  163. Winnie Soh –

    Genuinely love it. Slight wish for an index page at the front.

  164. Iskandar Yusof –

    Tried many journals over the years. This is the best.

  165. Tracy Teo –

    First-class.

  166. Mei Ling Chia –

    Even my heaviest ink doesn’t bleed through.

  167. Adam Talib –

    Took it everywhere with me last month.

  168. Iris Bakar –

    Use it for thinking through problems. The act of writing slows me down.

  169. Akmal Aziz –

    Best journal I’ve come across in Malaysia.

  170. Andrew Lau –

    The colour is striking but tasteful. Hard to get right.

  171. Elaine Pang –

    The date field is a small detail but I love it.

  172. Felix Hee –

    Classic look. Won’t go out of style.

  173. Omar Mustafa –

    Bought it after seeing it on Instagram. Did not disappoint.

  174. Gladys Chong –

    120 gsm makes a real difference. Writing feels different.

  175. Arjun Iyer –

    Glad to see this level of craftsmanship coming out of Malaysia.

  176. Liyana Mahmud –

    Great quality. Hoping for a black version in the future.

  177. Priya Reddy –

    Lays completely flat from the first page. Rare.

  178. Marwan Salleh –

    Wonderful product. Hoping for a refill option down the line.

  179. Yvonne Chong –

    The box alone makes it gift-worthy.

  180. Jonathan Chua –

    Brought it on a trip and it became part of my routine.

  181. Amira Hashim –

    Lovely. Only minor critique is the metal bookmark sometimes sticks out a bit.

  182. Joel Loh –

    Punches well above its price point.

  183. Kai Ong –

    Paper is thick. No bleed even with fountain pen ink.

  184. Siew Mei Yap –

    Really nice. Just wish the grid was slightly fainter.

  185. Omar Yusof –

    Bookmark ribbon is sturdy. Doesn’t fray.

  186. Terence Lai –

    Love that it comes with a matching pen.

  187. Faris Idris –

    Page numbers would have been a nice addition but the layout works.

  188. Marwan Idris –

    Hard to find this kind of quality for under twenty dollars.

  189. Nabil Mahmud –

    Makes writing feel intentional.

  190. Isabelle Yeoh –

    Perfect gift for someone who takes their writing seriously.

  191. Kai Loh –

    Outstanding.

  192. Hafiz Soh –

    Solid five stars on quality, four overall because shipping took longer than expected.

  193. Sarah Yusof –

    Holding it feels grounding.

  194. Clarence Heng –

    Restored my journaling practice. Three months strong now.

  195. Ravi Krishnan –

    Smells like real leather. Love the classic design.

  196. Zoe Khoo –

    Proud to support a local brand making quality like this.

  197. Denise Tay –

    Use it for morning pages. The format is ideal.

  198. Sandra Wee –

    Margins are generous. Room to think on the page.

  199. Khairul Aziz –

    Paper texture feels luxurious. That sounds dramatic but it’s true.

  200. Mei Ong –

    Best paper I’ve used in a journal at this price.

  201. Sandra Hwang –

    Best purchase I’ve made this year.

  202. Gerald Chua –

    The leather has aged beautifully even after a few weeks.

  203. Ravi Patel –

    Binding feels professional. Like a proper book.

  204. Omar Hashim –

    Solid construction throughout. No corners cut.

  205. Darren Chong –

    Solid five stars.

  206. Hubert Lee –

    Stitched binding means it should last for years.

  207. Liyana Said –

    Soft to the touch but structured. It feels solid.

  208. Sebastian Yeo –

    Honest pricing for a quality product.

  209. Olivia Chew –

    The cream colour reduces glare. Great for long sessions.

  210. Darren Tay –

    The pen that comes with it actually writes well. Bonus.

  211. Putri Talib –

    The metal bookmark stopper is a nice touch.

  212. Angela Foo –

    Quality piece. Highly recommend.

  213. Grace Khoo –

    Gave one to my mentor. She loved it.

  214. Yong Yeo –

    Excellent value for money. Surprised by the quality at this price.

  215. Vincent Sim –

    Finally a local product that competes with the imports.

  216. Liyana Pang –

    The box alone makes it gift-worthy.

  217. Rebecca Khoo –

    The included pen is surprisingly nice. Daily driver now.

  218. Zainab Bakar –

    The red is deep and rich. Not loud at all.

  219. Doreen Mak –

    Great binding and easy to write on both sides of the page.

  220. Meera Reddy –

    Bought one, then bought two more for friends.

  221. Jia Hassan –

    Beautiful but a little heavy to carry every day. Still love it.

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