(https://i.imgur.com/4YUBh1r.png)
A keycap set design featuring a monochrome ombre, we’d like to gather some feedback prior to posting an official interest check thread
(https://i.imgur.com/94IJfhC.jpg)
Theme(s)
"Defining the gray area between black and white"
Graydient(tm) is loosely inspired by the design language of contemporary streetwear; a style intersecting at the crossroads of hip hop, skate, and sneakers. We attempt to pay homage to this fashion movement, which has its rebellious roots in 80s and 90s counterculture, that has now swept into the forefront of millennial clothing trends. A bold monochrome gradient reflects the increasingly gray area between art and commerce, in a time where streetwear is crossing over into luxury brands, with frequent collabs and hyped drops. It's an area not without controversy, including the disputed originality of certain aesthetics; however fashion is inherently grounded in appropriation and inspiration, much like many keycap sets. Fashion is art, and art is controversial. Taking the classic monochrome theme to a fresh direction, we still wanted to cover black and white, but in a creative way. Like hypebeast streetwear, we hope this set evokes the experimental edge and spirit of playfulness of modern youth, yet simultaneously acknowledges the incongruence of finding one's authenticity in branded fashion, especially in a scene with a heritage in customizability.
Mirrored community commentary and flowery language aside, this set was simply born out of a pun, and we wanted an excuse to have sub-legends, because we simply like its aesthetic. After all language is art in itself
渋谷 - Shibuya
For those not into streetwear culture, we are consider offering an alternative theme/additional novelty kit/desk mat based around Shibuya crossing - the world's busiest pedestrian crossing located in the heart of Tokyo. Here thousands of pedestrians scramble across five major crosswalks in a modern canyon of neon-colored buildings and eye-bleeding video screens. Claustrophobic pulse of masses of people from all walks of life, students to office workers, all intersect for brief moments within the rhythm of city life. Such a mundane activity being magnified makes for a memorable experience to watch and partake in, and thus it’s not hard to see why this iconic streetscape has even featured in films such as Lost in Translation and Tokyo Drift.
The controlled chaos of Shibuya's "scramble" epitomizes the efficient madness of the cutting-edge city, and this crosswalk has been described as a “great example of what Tokyo does best when it's not trying.” Furthermore it is a famed meeting spot epitomized by a legendary statue of the dog Hachikō. In the 1920s, Hachikō would meet his owner at the Shibuya Station after work every day; however when the owner died unexpectedly, Hachikō still continued to visit the station every day for almost a decade, loyally waiting for his return <3.
Having two themes within one set is a bit experimental, and might not work, but we're going to give it a go!
Kits
EDIT: Note that this section is out of date as we're currently restructuring our kitting to ideally have Alphas and Modifiers separate - Alphas with sublegends and no sublegends, and Modifiers with standard Icon/Text legends and non hypebeast terms, for people to choose whichever preference/combination they like
Core - Shibuya Edition
(https://i.imgur.com/cGKb9yi.png)
Core - Street Edition
Note - under construction! Render colour calibration and kitting incomplete
(https://i.imgur.com/tU2jWVq.jpg)
Add-on
(https://i.imgur.com/mmWp8zx.png)
Novelties
(https://i.imgur.com/mmWp8zx.png)
?Alternative Alphas/Mods
(https://i.imgur.com/mmWp8zx.png)
Desk Mats
Note: All designs are preliminary/WIP. Orange fragile label will also be an actual removable sticker
Insane in the Membrane
(https://i.imgur.com/crE8Nsc.png)
Other ideas included: Anti Social Keyboard Club & Anti RGB RGB Club, on an RGB desk mat
Off-Limits
(https://i.imgur.com/uP8WgYE.png)
Super Desk
(https://i.imgur.com/jKzP3ix.png)
Patented
(https://i.imgur.com/PBock3D.png)
The Grayed Wave
(https://i.imgur.com/IDvJdVZ.png)
Note: this one might not be possible...
Off-Brand
(https://i.imgur.com/mmWp8zx.png)
Renders
E8.5 By Exclusive
(https://i.imgur.com/lLu3AQk.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/grdQcyJ.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/raEhj0x.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/QlSTMFx.jpg)
Kindly visit http://graydient.myportfolio.com/ for older renders on other keyboards too!
Design
※Cherry profile + PBT + Dye subbed legends
Why? A combination of Designers’ personal hipster preference, lead-in manufacturing times, and ability to get prototype samples for QC. Dyesub will also let us utilise a custom typeface with sharper edges.[/size]
※Colors: Cool Gray Pantone codes
Disclaimer: We’re working on refining the lighting in our renders to better reflect the shades as well as possible. Some renders are out of date in terms of colors, fonts and legends, but we’ll rectify these as soon as we can.
※Modifiers/Novelty Design
Terminology by streetwear enthusiasts is incorporated throughout as a tongue-in-cheek nod to a parallel community, where style similarly intersects with comfort and quality; and hype also exaggerates market forces. Novelties also reference oft-featured industrial iconography alongside deconstructed elements, underlined with the iconic ironic self-awareness. So expect simple statement elements, like arrows, diagonal stripes, terms like グレー (gray), and subtle homages to other brands (i.e. Penrose triangle for Palace; Checkers for Vans).
Hiragana sub-legends also underline the undeniable cross-cultural influence that the Japanese have also had on global streetwear trends too.
※Disclaimer: Graydient's signature logo was initially designed as a reference to the Taiwanese Recycling symbol; satirising how a certain signature fashion symbol for casual clothing derives direct inspiration from Glasgow Airport's signage (albeit unlike us, they did not acknowledge their source)
(https://i.imgur.com/NQCSVCB.png)
EDIT: It has just been brought to our attention, the logo could potentially remind those of the swastika, which was not intended. Given this unfortunate coincidence, and sensitivities, we are revising that design element, whilst retaining the negative space of the 4 arrows
※We are aware of the existence of MDA Plastic, but despite having similar inspiration, our execution of it is clearly quite different
To Do List
※Gather Feedback - current
※Kitting
※Novelties
※Consolidate Desk Mats
※Post IC
※More Renders on other board/layouts
※Announce Collabs
※Appoint Vendors
※Announce Pricing
※Announce Group Buy Date
Feedback Form (https://forms.gle/BDjVKSX1ohCHJw9s6)
(https://i.imgur.com/J02F6I7.png)
Please let us know what you think!
Cheers! BobaSweatandTears#4616 x Dylan Chung (illpercieved#6212) [/size]
To keep updated visit: https://graydient.myportfolio.com/keep-updated
Signature
※ You can support the project by adding this banner to your signature
[url=https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=108996.0][img width=350 height=120]https://i.imgur.com/4YUBh1r.png[/img][/url]