I didn't say branding itself on the surface is tacky. What matters is the presentation.
Exclusive, very small minimal look that it doesn't take away from the clean look.
Space65 doesn't any branding. Think boards do but it doesn't say 'THINK6.5'
I don't know which TGR keyboard you're looking at but Jane doesn't have any branding.
Linworks is the only board that the branding more prominent but even then it's really not because it's engraved so that it doesn't stick out like a sore thumb.
What I meant by explicit branding is, actually having the name of the board displayed. For instance, Vega having the word "VEGA"
Space65 with the word "space65"
It's not obvious that they wanted to "spell out the word" or else they would have spelt out the word Apollo LMAO.
I think they are aware that nobody will think 000()0 looks like apollo.
It's a design choice, and there's no intention to spell out the word.
Clearly people who have no background with brand design shouldn't judge it as deal breaker.
With the above logic, Mcdonalds golden arches is a bad choice because it doesn't spell out "McDonalds"
Tesla's "T" is a bad choice because it doesn't spell "Tesla"