[IC] - Firefly/Serenity Novelty Keycaps: It Ain't Over Yet...

[00zeRO]

Okay, so the initial GB was a bust. If you would like more detail about it all check out the following links:

http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=58229.0

and the locked IC thread at:

http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=56318.0

Now...to the future. I am currently looking to produce mods that people may want. To begin, I turned Wash's keycaps into Double-Shot 1x1.25 keycaps for use on Ctrl, Alt, Win keys, etc. If anyone would like to see other sizes, please sound off. Below is a Mock Up of these keycaps:



Blue and Green Polycarb with White ABS Legends.

Next, I think that novelty modifiers is a great way to give a keyboard flair, so believe that I will be heading that direction with all future groupbuys. With that in mind, which keycaps would you like to see become a pair of modifiers?

[JinDesu]

I don't think there was too many keycaps. Maybe the colours weren't interestnig enough. I was going to get them no matter what.

[00zeRO]

I don't think there was too many keycaps. Maybe the colours weren't interestnig enough. I was going to get them no matter what.

Thanks...

Trouble with Dye Sub is the light color keycap/dark legend rule...

Color input would be nice going forward from anyone who would like to chime in...

[MrChunky]

For me, the color scheme was not really working with any keysets I have. Unfortunately.

Not everything comes down to design though. There are a lot of easily accessible GBs doing on at SP's website which affects things, combined with the usual GH members activity. GBs fail solely due to being all bunched up. Just look at how Midnight set is doing despite being clearly well designed.

In the end the community that is ready to spend money every month (and now more like every week) on keycaps is pretty small. And as it turns out saturates fairly quickly. I don't really know how it could be avoided from the designers/ vendors side other then selling less and being realistic about demand (all obvious things).

Another thing is that when there is a lot of options, the demand fractures and MOQ is not met. I think SP has to manage this and not let too many GBs come up at the same time. In the long run they'll make more money like that. But it is quite manipulative and probably not everyone will enjoy that.

[myrddin]

It didn't really scream 'firefly' at me, the keycap with serenity on it kinda did, but the rest just came across as a bunch of weird novelty keys, not really worth picking up - but I wouldn't be buying it either way (dsa only), so I may not be of any use input wise

[mashby]

It was an ambitious group buy and I applaud you for putting that much time into the project and putting it out there. I'm just sorry it didn't tip.

PMK has been a bit hit-or-miss with GBs. I don't know if it's because there have been so many this year, or if it's the way in which PMK's system works, or if it's a combination of both.

[jeep]

It didn't really scream 'firefly' at me, the keycap with serenity on it kinda did, but the rest just came across as a bunch of weird novelty keys, not really worth picking up

This. I saw it go up and was excited. Then saw the keys and it didn't seem Firefly enough to me.

-JEEP

[00zeRO]

It didn't really scream 'firefly' at me, the keycap with serenity on it kinda did, but the rest just came across as a bunch of weird novelty keys, not really worth picking up

This. I saw it go up and was excited. Then saw the keys and it didn't seem Firefly enough to me.

-JEEP

What is Firefly enough for you? Trouble is copyright infringement.

[jeep]

Right. I'm not sure that you can get Firefly enough without copyright issues.

[00zeRO]

Right. I'm not sure that you can get Firefly enough without copyright issues.

Besides, I like subtle conversation pieces to bring more people into the show/movie following...

[jeep]

Besides, I like subtle conversation pieces to bring more people into the show/movie following...

You asked why. I answered.

[00zeRO]

Besides, I like subtle conversation pieces to bring more people into the show/movie following...

You asked why. I answered.

Thank you very much for your input...

[myrddin]

Why try and make the set so large?

If you have a few very nice, themed keys, the set price goes down compared to a lot of keys, where most of them aren't that closely themed anyway?

More people would be likely to pick up a $5-15 novelty set that is closely tied to firefly, rather than a $28 set with a bunch of keys that aren't quite so clearly themed.

If you reduce the options, people are either in the one pot, or not at all - decide to either be colour or black and white etc? something better than nothing?

Just some ideas I have seen thrown around for other sets that didn't reach MOQ.

Oh, did you go with just the kanji because of copyright on the circle in a circle firefly logo?

[00zeRO]

Why try and make the set so large?

Because I love dinosaurs and because I wanted each crew member to have his/her own keycap representation.

Oh, did you go with just the kanji because of copyright on the circle in a circle firefly logo?

Yes. That was why I opted to do a yellow and orange version as well.

You are right. This next time I plan to cull it back to a handful just as long as Wash has two dinos.

[cmadrid]

I personally get sad when I think about Firefly.. Wish that show didn't get foxed

[HoffmanMyster]

I somehow missed the entire GB.          Sorry to see it not make it.  I wonder if too many people just didn't realize it was live?

[00zeRO]

Revamped this topic. Gearing up for next GB...check out the new mock ups and questions I posed to y'all.

[00zeRO]

I am learning that with SP GB's less is more, unless it is MOQ...

[heedpantsnow]

I was planning on going with the dark version bc I thought the normal one was too many colors. I prefer you pick 1-3 basic colors and make the keys a combo of those. Or maybe do a poll to see if you can match one of the recent GB key sets. Just my $.02.

[00zeRO]

I was planning on going with the dark version bc I thought the normal one was too many colors. I prefer you pick 1-3 basic colors and make the keys a combo of those. Or maybe do a poll to see if you can match one of the recent GB key sets. Just my $.02.

What do you think of my idea about just doing modifiers in ABS double shot?

[heedpantsnow]

I do like that. Mods seem to be the most compatible with pictures/symbols. Again, I would limit it to not-too-many colors. That said, I'll probably buy it anyway.

[00zeRO]

Dead thread alert...I am looking to try to do some keycaps. As stated in the now modified opening post, I am thinking of doing Wash's dinosaurs. The mockups are posted below, help me decide which should be pairs of modifiers, plz:



Also, I am open to any suggestions for keycap designs/symbols.