Keycap Designs

[Binge]

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My collection of original sculpts grows every time I feel a design needs refinement.

Hey I'm STILL unhappy with what I'm producing, but I'd like to get an idea where people see my talent is put to the best use.

You won't be stopping me from creating what I want or force my hand to make something I don't want.  It'd be nice to see some organized public opinion.  With the options I've provided in the poll I feel you can ask for just about anything and then leave comments with your vote.

Baller?  YEAH!

[SpAmRaY]

I say make an orc army you could have a few different orcs, good guy, bad guy etc.

[Moralless]

I've always enjoyed seeing all your designs but IMO your topre Fns have always looked the nicest to me, just because I've always found it interesting seeing what keycap makers can do with blank keys to make it unique from other maker's designs since I think that's one of the hardest things you can do and would love to see you explore more into blanks

[sethk_]

I love both the hand e caps and the topre blanks, but I had to choose the hand e caps, I just like them too much.

[GSimon]

A dragon style keycap with sharp features!

[Binge]

These categories are not limited to keys I've already made, but it's nice to know people have some favorites.

Keep the responses coming!  Centering the Chi or something.

[iamtootallforthis]

These categories are not limited to keys I've already made, but it's nice to know people have some favorites.

Keep the responses coming!  Centering the Chi or something.

I really just want the Lion Keyng you just posted to be honest though 

I did vote though and would like to see more Orcs and Keythulus

[SpAmRaY]

Just send me that cap in the OP for testing purposes.

[digi]

animals...duh...you can never have enough h00ts

[HoffmanMyster]

Can't make any more topre fns, or else I won't be able to collect them all!   

Seriously though, I still need a Hoot.  So there's that.   

But for new designs?  I'd like to see more animals-enjoying-hifi-equipment designs, a-la Slo-Fi.   

[Melvang]

Made my vote, anything from a Dungeons and Dragons book.  I can send pics from my copies if you want.

[Binge]

Can't make any more topre fns, or else I won't be able to collect them all!   

Seriously though, I still need a Hoot.  So there's that.   

But for new designs?  I'd like to see more animals-enjoying-hifi-equipment designs, a-la Slo-Fi.   

Any molds I've retired are not likely to come back.  That's just how I roll. 

I want to refine, I want to improve.  Doing the same thing over and over again can not the capcrafter do.

[HoffmanMyster]

Can't make any more topre fns, or else I won't be able to collect them all!   

Seriously though, I still need a Hoot.  So there's that.   

But for new designs?  I'd like to see more animals-enjoying-hifi-equipment designs, a-la Slo-Fi.   

Any molds I've retired are not likely to come back.  That's just how I roll. 

 

So no hand-e-cap then, right?  Or would you sculpt a new one?  And has Hoot been retired?  Hoping not...        Oh shoot, is that one retired now that the Mrs. isn't helping anymore??   

[sethk_]

Can't make any more topre fns, or else I won't be able to collect them all!   

Seriously though, I still need a Hoot.  So there's that.   

But for new designs?  I'd like to see more animals-enjoying-hifi-equipment designs, a-la Slo-Fi.   

Any molds I've retired are not likely to come back.  That's just how I roll. 

 

So no hand-e-cap then, right?  Or would you sculpt a new one?  And has Hoot been retired?  Hoping not...        Oh shoot, is that one retired now that the Mrs. isn't helping anymore??   

I think he means as in he would make new molds, but I don't want to speak for Binge, so I might be wrong.

[slickmamba]

Hmm, wolf, something environmental sciencey(leaf or tree or something), oh maybe a nice meal( bowl of noodles, breakfast, steak), and of course, a cop dragon.

[Binge]

Can't make any more topre fns, or else I won't be able to collect them all!   

Seriously though, I still need a Hoot.  So there's that.   

But for new designs?  I'd like to see more animals-enjoying-hifi-equipment designs, a-la Slo-Fi.   

Any molds I've retired are not likely to come back.  That's just how I roll. 

 

So no hand-e-cap then, right?  Or would you sculpt a new one?  And has Hoot been retired?  Hoping not...        Oh shoot, is that one retired now that the Mrs. isn't helping anymore??   

I think he means as in he would make new molds, but I don't want to speak for Binge, so I might be wrong.

You isain't wrong.

[CPTBadAss]

I've been enjoying the KBK Topre FNs. I like that they've got that KBK flair but understated. Might be cool to do something a little more minimal than you usual designs?

[hwood34]

[Joey Quinn]

Slow-Fi v2!

Or more Hoots.

[tigersharkdude]

I'd love to see Konahrik's mask from Sky rim

[Binge]

I'd love to see Konahrik's mask from Sky rim

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Looks like it has interesting design elements.  I do a lot to try and create objects from concept and not existing artwork.  Maybe I'll borrow the eyes.... BWAHAHAHAHA

These suggestions are great and I'm paying attention to the polls.  Get any friends who may be interested to lend their opinions by introducing them to this thread.  Please/Thank you.

[FrostyToast]

Make something like a Mr. Potato and have us collect the different pieces we can put on him!
That way we can have the dream of Santa Hats for keycaps like Booper had! 

[Jokrik]

How about a design that can be focus on in the long term and represent your brand
Something like from the fantasy world/animal (ie different dragon head design)

[Binge]

How about a design that can be focus on in the long term and represent your brand
Something like from the fantasy world/animal (ie different dragon head design)

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This is something I've been really mulling over.  My favorite creatures made into statues are lions.  They've got great proportions and character.

So far my most popular keys I've made to date are the Lion Keyng (lion) and Keythulhu (octopus).  The Keythulhu wins by a slim margin.

[BlueNalgene]

Why don't you post some art that you've really grooved on lately.  Maybe not so much as subject matter you'd like to use, but something that shows the style you would like to draw from.  Everybody here so far has posted examples of digital fantasy art with high detail.  Is that what you like? Do you want to do something similar to what you have already done to further your 'brand' (I feel dirty saying that), or do you want to branch out into a style you haven't focused on in the past? Or is this just a way to determine what your users prefer so when you come up with the right thing, you know how to make it?

[Binge]

Why don't you post some art that you've really grooved on lately.  Maybe not so much as subject matter you'd like to use, but something that shows the style you would like to draw from.  Everybody here so far has posted examples of digital fantasy art with high detail.  Is that what you like? Do you want to do something similar to what you have already done to further your 'brand' (I feel dirty saying that), or do you want to branch out into a style you haven't focused on in the past? Or is this just a way to determine what your users prefer so when you come up with the right thing, you know how to make it?

Gotta level with you man.  The only art I've produced recently is for this site and its members.  I'm a former career artist who really missed it and saw an application for my skills in this medium.  I think if I didn't find keycaps I would sketch here and there but generally would have focused more on other things like... my retirement?  I dunno.  Needless to say if I'm doodling it's scratch and nothing else.  Most of the time it's little pictures to make my wife laugh.

You're right I've seen a lot of fantasy art and really detailed work thrown at me, and I've got to say the artform it's presented to me in is the stuff I used to strive to achieve.  Can't say I have wanted to remain in that circuit of creation because it lacks spontaneity.  As odd as that sounds Fantasy Art as it is in popular books/media is not very free flowing.  There are lots and lots of  techniques, drafts, concepts, and to me that was stuff I had to learn from other people.  When I began to express myself there was not a teacher in my life who could articulate perspective or the need to practice X, Y, Z artistic theories.  Everything before I went to college I had without instruction, and that was probably the best creative period of my life.  If the art was a lot like the the Fantasy Art I'm seeing in pictures here I made it with my own process, and now I can't very well go back to that process without wasting gobs and gobs of time.  That annoys the learned artist in me.

Keycaps are a strange set of restrictions and nobody has been cruel or gracious enough to try and teach me anything about it outside of duplicating process.  Some of the crafters and I exchange ideas, but that's the very limit of our relation as student/teacher.  There days when presented with the challenges of a seemingly impossible request I'll choose not to tackle it and put it on the back burner.  The more I get to go through the process the more improvements I can make to my set of standards.  The purpose of this thread and poll are to help me take the energy from a bunch of people who see what I'm doing and see it improving and align myself  as best as possible with a broad perspective.

I've got blinders on when I look at my work.  I see every key design as part of a larger project while recently I realized they are all individual projects, and unfortunately for me and people interested in the art that is going to waste a lot of people's time before I get to where colleagues of mine have been able to take their vision.  Unless I organize I can see myself just burning up with all of the variety my brain keeps churning out.

[BlueNalgene]

Why don't you post some art that you've really grooved on lately.  Maybe not so much as subject matter you'd like to use, but something that shows the style you would like to draw from.  Everybody here so far has posted examples of digital fantasy art with high detail.  Is that what you like? Do you want to do something similar to what you have already done to further your 'brand' (I feel dirty saying that), or do you want to branch out into a style you haven't focused on in the past? Or is this just a way to determine what your users prefer so when you come up with the right thing, you know how to make it?

Gotta level with you man.  The only art I've produced recently is for this site and its members.  I'm a former career artist who really missed it and saw an application for my skills in this medium.  I think if I didn't find keycaps I would sketch here and there but generally would have focused more on other things like... my retirement?  I dunno.  Needless to say if I'm doodling it's scratch and nothing else.  Most of the time it's little pictures to make my wife laugh.

You're right I've seen a lot of fantasy art and really detailed work thrown at me, and I've got to say the artform it's presented to me in is the stuff I used to strive to achieve.  Can't say I have wanted to remain in that circuit of creation because it lacks spontaneity.  As odd as that sounds Fantasy Art as it is in popular books/media is not very free flowing.  There are lots and lots of  techniques, drafts, concepts, and to me that was stuff I had to learn from other people.  When I began to express myself there was not a teacher in my life who could articulate perspective or the need to practice X, Y, Z artistic theories.  Everything before I went to college I had without instruction, and that was probably the best creative period of my life.  If the art was a lot like the the Fantasy Art I'm seeing in pictures here I made it with my own process, and now I can't very well go back to that process without wasting gobs and gobs of time.  That annoys the learned artist in me.

Keycaps are a strange set of restrictions and nobody has been cruel or gracious enough to try and teach me anything about it outside of duplicating process.  Some of the crafters and I exchange ideas, but that's the very limit of our relation as student/teacher.  There days when presented with the challenges of a seemingly impossible request I'll choose not to tackle it and put it on the back burner.  The more I get to go through the process the more improvements I can make to my set of standards.  The purpose of this thread and poll are to help me take the energy from a bunch of people who see what I'm doing and see it improving and align myself  as best as possible with a broad perspective.

I've got blinders on when I look at my work.  I see every key design as part of a larger project while recently I realized they are all individual projects, and unfortunately for me and people interested in the art that is going to waste a lot of people's time before I get to where colleagues of mine have been able to take their vision.  Unless I organize I can see myself just burning up with all of the variety my brain keeps churning out.

That wall of text was a good read.  A relevant comic came to mind.



The source is Subnormality by Winston Rowntree. 

I'll keep my eyes open for something tasty to send your way.  I used to do inspiration/influence packets when I was in the theater, so I'll send you some stuff if I think it comes across as a cohesive idea.

Any genres appealing to you lately?

[Binge]

Any genres appealing to you lately?

Pens.  Is pens a genre?  Let me write that down and nibble on the idea.

[BlueNalgene]

Any genres appealing to you lately?

Pens.  Is pens a genre?  Let me write that down and nibble on the idea.

Genre, theme, time period, phrase, emotion, whatever.  Pens is perfect.

I am going to make a few assumptions before I start.  First, I assume that you have enough pens laying around to know what they look like.  I am well aware you are a fan of writing implements, since that is how I ended up getting my first artisan cap.  The second assumption comes from a little Geekhack stalking.  I went through your posts and learned some stuff about you.  You like pens, vinyl, artsyfartsy extracurriculars, prefer cats, are married, are white, have a linnie, enjoy hifi audio stuff.  The assumption is that you are way too much like me.  Seriously. I assume that, based on this, your house is furnished with disjointed themes, you drift from project to project, do fine in public but prefer solitude, and have an SO with an advanced degree in ornithology.

The obvious choice for cap design would be something using the distinct nib shape of a fountain pen.  The idea that focuses solely on the nib would be a nib encased in resin a la something found in a museum gift shop

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.

But this idea limits the number of colors possible.  You could change the color of the nib, but the clear resin would have to stay that way.  It also presents some casting problems for multiple injected colors.  It might work as a mixed media cap, but that would require a change of pace for you.

How about a nip on top of the cap?  Simple, recognizable, and elegant.  But this doesn't have the Binge^TM appeal.  Maybe we need to spice it up a bit.

I've always wondered why no one puts a layer of textured shapes underneath a sculpture layer.  An intricate repeated/tessellated pattern underneath a simple object could really make it pop.  For example, let's look at some University of Alabama branding.

Here is the Alabama A

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And here is some houndstooth

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The A is a bold logo on a single color background, but look at how it jumps out at you when we combine them.

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Time for more inspiration.  Let's look at something that is related to pens but doesn't focus on the nib.  Here and here are some good links to vintage ink bottles.  Something I noticed about the older ones, is that you can see a definite shift from Art Noveau styling to Late Modern labels.  This is a nice little reference for important design styles.

If we pull this all together, we need some work music.  I'm pulling more from the post-war style, so I think some jazzy swing is in order.  Let's try something industrious on for size, and if that doesn't suit you, let's try a little modern electroswing to get that heyday mood in full swing!

I did a quick mockup of what I have stitched together.  I chose to do a nib leaking ink onto the far side of the cap with an intricate repeating pattern.  The pattern are some arrows that I liked on a bottle of Carter's Rytoff from one of those sources. 

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Hand drawn isn't my thing.  Don't judge me.  I see you judging me!

I'm not saying you should do this, but it is where the combination of those ideas sent me.



I hope this sparks something.

[Binge]

Those chick legs on the keycap have serious curves.  I see you like women how I like women.  Nice bush.

JUDGED

[FrostyToast]

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Those chick legs on the keycap have serious curves.  I see you like women how I like women.  Nice bush.

JUDGED

Those are legs?!
I thought it was the nib of a fountain pen.  :))

[Binge]

Don't you see the tiny feet? 

[GenKaan]

Ronan the accuser would be sick! Or any Kree like creature

[Krogenar]

A "Zork"-themed keycap. It's an old text-based game, very retro. The letter 'Z', raised, made from stone bricks. If you could make the bricks opaque, and the rest of the keycap translucent, then it could be backlit.

[tigersharkdude]

Ronan the accuser would be sick! Or any Kree like creature

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At first glance I thought this was Beta Ray Bill holding Mjolnir

[FrostyToast]

Don't you see the tiny feet? 

Sooo.... it's a dual nib for a fountain pen?

[BlueNalgene]

A "Zork"-themed keycap. It's an old text-based game, very retro. The letter 'Z', raised, made from stone bricks. If you could make the bricks opaque, and the rest of the keycap translucent, then it could be backlit.

It would be a pain in the ass to carve 69,105 bricks though.

[Binge]

I hope people won't be too disappointed when I produce a key of my own design be it character or concept.   Some design that originates on my desk instead of from the cast of a comic book, a video game, or other popular visual media.

There was a warning in my OP which I know some people read.  I hoped this would minimize the wishing for things that are just not going to happen.  There are other designers who feel perfectly alright making a pop-icon figure, doing some CAD stuff or 3D printing on a model they created or is in the public domain and then releasing it for profit.  I would rather close everything down than have to make another Keythulhu happen.  It's a fantastic idea!  I love Cthulhu.  He's one of my most popular designs on a keycap, but it's also not my character.  The only saving grace to my principals is that there is no official artwork for Cthulhu as H.P. Lovecraft did sketch the creature but opted to mention that its body was maddeningly beyond comprehension.  I feel that gives up the floor to more artistic interpretation to which I've done my best to make it look like some evil octopus.  Still I don't want to make more of these keys.

When CPTBadAss came over to my place for the pen show I gave him a completed sculpture for a Snorlax on a key.  Why?  I don't want it, and it would be a cool gift.  I thought it would a great key design, and honestly it was a lot of fun to have on the keyboard.  It's still a problem for my principals.  I've never done anything with Snorlax other than played Pokemon.  What gives me the right to take that figure and make toys out of it to sell and keep this whole thing running?

Rant rant- rant... rant raaaaant.  Rant.

[HendyZone]

animals moar lion keyng v3 ? maybe ?

[Binge]

animals moar lion keyng v3 ? maybe ?

No worries man Lion Keyng V3 is here to stay.

[HoffmanMyster]

Would you ever consider making "landscapes"?  I'm not sure how it would even work on a keycap, but something like a river or a mountain might be fun. 

It sounds like you don't like fantasy/pop icons, and you do like animals.  So obviously you are perfectly capable of finding a new and interesting animal and sculpting that, you don't need help there.  Are you looking for alternate "genres" to get into (other than animals)?  I'm honestly a bit confused what you're looking for here.   

[tigersharkdude]

Would you ever consider making "landscapes"?  I'm not sure how it would even work on a keycap, but something like a river or a mountain might be fun. 

Happy little trees ...


Binge, I believe people would buy whatever you make (Whether if it's your own design or based off of 'x').

[FrostyToast]

Would you ever consider making "landscapes"?  I'm not sure how it would even work on a keycap, but something like a river or a mountain might be fun. 

It sounds like you don't like fantasy/pop icons, and you do like animals.  So obviously you are perfectly capable of finding a new and interesting animal and sculpting that, you don't need help there.  Are you looking for alternate "genres" to get into (other than animals)?  I'm honestly a bit confused what you're looking for here.   

Remake the Lion King on a keyboard. Do it.

[Alex92]

These might be too complex to make into keycaps, but 2 designs that I thought of were a dragon curled up on a keycap and a gargoyle sitting on a keycap. An animal that I think might be good for a keycap is a parrot because you could make it in so many different colors while still looking like a real creature.

[Binge]

Would you ever consider making "landscapes"?  I'm not sure how it would even work on a keycap, but something like a river or a mountain might be fun. 

It sounds like you don't like fantasy/pop icons, and you do like animals.  So obviously you are perfectly capable of finding a new and interesting animal and sculpting that, you don't need help there.  Are you looking for alternate "genres" to get into (other than animals)?  I'm honestly a bit confused what you're looking for here.   

The responses to the poll I posted are great!  That's exactly the sort of broad direction I'm looking for from FANS.  I'm looking for feedback from people who believe I could make something of quality from a broad genre.

Small descriptions of an interesting creature/monster/object and even encouragement to improve on projects I've already started was the original objective.  I just find it odd that looking through the poll responses people are giving great answers.  The very same people are using the thread to elaborate that broad spectrum creative juice into a creation that exists or that they have envisioned in their mind.  That's not stuff I can use aside from going back to the root idea and taking it in a direction.

I feel as though this is self evident in the type of questions I'm asking, and I won't turn away ideas but I do not want people to get so.... deep.  That's my job.  I've got run into the shallow water in order to swim out into an ocean of creativity, and no amount of hyper-detailed concept art or references from other media sources will help me get there.  Point me to water, ya I'll find it.  Drop me in it and I'll have to swim out of it before I can ever do what I need to do with it.

[HoffmanMyster]

Would you ever consider making "landscapes"?  I'm not sure how it would even work on a keycap, but something like a river or a mountain might be fun. 

It sounds like you don't like fantasy/pop icons, and you do like animals.  So obviously you are perfectly capable of finding a new and interesting animal and sculpting that, you don't need help there.  Are you looking for alternate "genres" to get into (other than animals)?  I'm honestly a bit confused what you're looking for here.   

The responses to the poll I posted are great!  That's exactly the sort of broad direction I'm looking for from FANS.  I'm looking for feedback from people who believe I could make something of quality from a broad genre.

Small descriptions of an interesting creature/monster/object and even encouragement to improve on projects I've already started was the original objective.  I just find it odd that looking through the poll responses people are giving great answers.  The very same people are using the thread to elaborate that broad spectrum creative juice into a creation that exists or that they have envisioned in their mind.  That's not stuff I can use aside from going back to the root idea and taking it in a direction.

I feel as though this is self evident in the type of questions I'm asking, and I won't turn away ideas but I do not want people to get so.... deep.  That's my job.  I've got run into the shallow water in order to swim out into an ocean of creativity, and no amount of hyper-detailed concept art or references from other media sources will help me get there.  Point me to water, ya I'll find it.  Drop me in it and I'll have to swim out of it before I can ever do what I need to do with it.

I understand your stance much better now, thanks for the explanation. 

I don't have much else to offer though, as I'm lacking a creative mind for this stuff.  But things that interest me that I'd like to see made into keycaps are landscapes (as mentioned before) and machinery.  Not specific machinery, just the vibe that machinery gives off.  Not even dirty and grimy to a cliche, just the general theme.  But I'm not sure if you're into that, or if it's even something to make a keycap from. 

[Binge]

... or if it's even something to make a keycap from. 

That's the beauty of it.  That's all I need.

[baldgye]

Ran out of room for my comment, so I'll continue it here;

I think that making some really cool blanks would be super ****ing cool, but I don't just mean WASD/arrow clusters etc etc... I would love some proper sweet mod keys, like some special stepped caps lock where the step is a diff colour to the top, **** like that.

[tigersharkdude]

Ran out of room for my comment, so I'll continue it here;

I think that making some really cool blanks would be super ****ing cool, but I don't just mean WASD/arrow clusters etc etc... I would love some proper sweet mod keys, like some special stepped caps lock where the step is a diff colour to the top, **** like that.

I could not agree more, some artisan keys in sizes beyond 1x1 would be awesome

Maybe do a custom set of modifier keys (ctrl, alt, shift)

[cooldiscretion]

I'm a huge fan of the Keythulu keycap and your T Fn keys.  Another one of my favorites is the Moose.

When you posted the photo of the artisan spacebar you created that made me incredibly excited.  I've never seen anyone else make an artisan spacebar.

[digi]

I'm still waiting on my turntable caps I'd like to see one in every color, no joke. If the hoot molds are no more, I'd like to change my poll vote to "non-organics". <3<3<3

[hjc1710]

So, I voted for fantasy and threw in some ideas. Lemme elaborate.

1. Griffon. I think this is a good idea because it can be related back to the Keyng. The Keyffon is some sort of cross-breed between a Keyng and an eagle. However, working in the lion elements and not just the bird elements might be hard, but you're creative .

2. Chimera. Again, sort of relates back to the Keyng. Maybe a two headed cap? One is a goat and one is a lion? And possibly throw that on like a 2u key. Or try and capture the essence of the Chimera tails.

3. Hydra. Multiple small snake heads on a cap? Will take.

4. Liger. Probably more of a custom colorway of the Keyng than anything, since the face of a Liger resembles that of a lion significantly (for males at least).

5. A small nature scene playing out. I'm thinking a cap that is basically a hawk swooping down and grabbing a rabbit (to eat). Might be too large or complex.

6. A new take on the Grizzle-key. It's a solid design, but I think you could find ways to improve on it (but I really love bears).

Finally, I adore the Keyng and Keythulu, so more of those is something I can always support. I also love baldgye's idea.

That's all I have for now, maybe I'll come up with another idea.

[tigersharkdude]

PandaKey



Do it

[dustinhxc]

I love your animals binge, but wow Orcs! Elves! YES PLEASE!!

[Binge]

On/Off topic.  I can definitely do some figures and have some interesting ideas in the work.  Current cap owners.  What parts about my caps other than the concept (squid/sloth/etc) do you NOT like?  Are the finishes of the keys no good?  Did you find one of my nose hairs?  Do they smell bad?

Just trying to make stuff better for you all

[tigersharkdude]

On/Off topic.  I can definitely do some figures and have some interesting ideas in the work.  Current cap owners.  What parts about my caps other than the concept (squid/sloth/etc) do you NOT like?  Are the finishes of the keys no good?  Did you find one of my nose hairs?  Do they smell bad?

Just trying to make stuff better for you all

I've only had a Lion Keyng and Keythulu, so my opinion is mited. The only thing I really would like to see is more depth in carving. The detail work on Keythulu is not that "prominent". Lion Keyng V3 looks to have more depth than my v1 or v2

EDIT: i think the better way to explain my comment is that I like more dimension to the design. Keythulu is fairly flat/short and Lion Keyng is more 3D like I like

[HoffmanMyster]

What parts about my caps other than the concept (squid/sloth/etc) do you NOT like?

That I don't have enough.   

Seriously though, this is a hard question.  There aren't many "flaws", especially in your later work (some of the older caps had bowed walls when viewed from beneath, etc).  I will inspect my caps later and try to give a better answer, but if there are improvements to be made I suspect you're aware of them. 

[CPTBadAss]

I'd like to see the departure from using a cap as the base and go full sculpture. Maybe a smaller platform but it would be cool to see you step away from cap + sculpture on top. More like your lumberjack cap perhaps.

[HoffmanMyster]

I'd like to see the departure from using a cap as the base and go full sculpture. Maybe a smaller platform but it would be cool to see you step away from cap + sculpture on top. More like your lumberjack cap perhaps.

Lumberchap is on a cap.   

But I like this!  Similar to GirlDC's designs.   

[MythicalWagyu]

...things that interest me that I'd like to see made into keycaps are landscapes (as mentioned before) and machinery.

I really like the idea of keycaps that look like natural materials, I guess a faux finish of some sort... like a resin cap that looked like real hardwood w/woodgrain or bamboo or limestone or flagstone, something like that; kind of like what they can do with concrete. I also think a metal cap with engraving (like on a Holland & Holland) would be super dope.

[Binge]

What parts about my caps other than the concept (squid/sloth/etc) do you NOT like?

That I don't have enough.   

Seriously though, this is a hard question.  There aren't many "flaws", especially in your later work (some of the older caps had bowed walls when viewed from beneath, etc).  I will inspect my caps later and try to give a better answer, but if there are improvements to be made I suspect you're aware of them. 

I'm fairly detail oriented, but if you were ever one to create a visually pleasing item you'd know that you can grow attached to something or grow to hate it based on the time spent.  Like Punksdead said in his interview... the sculpts are time consuming.  Principal design at certain points becomes more important than finish/polish.  As the artist it's easy for me to be blind to a lot of the things people would find issue.

[BlueNalgene]

On/Off topic.  I can definitely do some figures and have some interesting ideas in the work.  Current cap owners.  What parts about my caps other than the concept (squid/sloth/etc) do you NOT like?  Are the finishes of the keys no good?  Did you find one of my nose hairs?  Do they smell bad?

Just trying to make stuff better for you all

I am going to be extremely nitpicky here.  I actually find the cap to be of great quality, but I think you want someone with a critical eye to point out annoying details so you can improve your craft.  Also, please note that my cap crafting skills are considerably more crummy, as evidenced by the defect analysis I have done of my own work.  That aside: Detail-douche mode ENGAGE! 

I own a Lurch collab Grape Drink Keythulhu.  All photos are taken with my phone camera and a 7x loupe.



In this first pic, I have highlighted some simple tool marks.  These are of low importance and are not visible to the naked eye.  As an even more minor thing that irks me, Cthulhu has 3 pupils in each socket.  If you are going to make a character on common lore, little things might create nerd rage.  For this particular example, I would recommend looking at other works which are Lovecraft derivative.  When I was making my Cthulhu mask/costume, I used the Propnomicon blog heavily for inspiration and detail checking.  Of course, the single squinted eyes may be a style choice.  But like I said, I'm trying to nitpick everything here.  Moving on...



In this picture, admittedly not as clear, I have used the red on top of some bad spots.  It looks like you used subtractive carving to make the tentacles, and there are leftover remains of your polymer clay on the original.  In the future, you might want to take a bit more care removing these.  The center tentacle is the biggest offender here.  The defects are macroscopic on my cap, and they really show up at the transition area between injections.  It looks like the first injection was clear to make the design, and the rest of the cap has the mica flecks in it.  If not, then the mica sort of floated up during the set.  Hard to tell, that is just what I reconstruct happened based on the evidence.



On the side there are two issues worth mentioning. 
1. The sprue location is prominent.  It was hard to get a good picture of this elevation change on a dark cap with the mica reflecting so much light.  You might consider moving your sprue holes to a location not on one of the smooth facades in future casts.
2. Fingerprints in the clay.  Details details details.



The underside edge has a few faults.
1. I assume that these are break points where you removed polymer that had spilled over from the mold.  If so, then these are cracks in the crystallinity of glass state polymer, which could be remedied by cutting excess off earlier in the setting process to prevent internal fracture.  If not, then you have large bubbles in your polymer during curing.  You use a pressurized system, yes? What pressure do you use? Do you need to increase it?
2. The inner lip has some extra here.  Maybe just a goober.




So yeah, that is my flaw analysis.  I love the cap, and I look forward to seeing more stuff in the future.  If you want other pictures of something specific on the cap or with better magnification, I can get that for you.  I have access to some serious equipment.  50x, 100x, 200x, 2000x-10,000,000x? I can do that.

[Binge]

Thanks!  If any of those details concern you please let me know.  That is a thorough writeup and I can see each of the defects and lack of refinement you've mentioned.

The Keythulhu V1 will not be changed, but with information like this I can adjust my concept of a finished key.

[Redeemd]

Make a street shark keycap and i will give you all my money

[ApocalypseMaow]

Are lord and savior WizBro would be legit...

[LXXXIX]

I would love to see you take a stab at some Japanese folklore. I'm thinking Tengu, Oni, Dragons, Inugami, etc etc.

Here's some examples;







What do you think?

[Binge]

I would love to see you take a stab at some Japanese folklore. I'm thinking Tengu, Oni, Dragons, Inugami, etc etc.

Here's some examples;

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What do you think? :cool:

I like your style man :)  I'd love to remake one of my existing characters like this... Maybe a Teng-oot :3

[LXXXIX]

I would love to see you take a stab at some Japanese folklore. I'm thinking Tengu, Oni, Dragons, Inugami, etc etc.

Here's some examples;

Show Image

Show Image

Show Image

What do you think? :cool:

I like your style man :)  I'd love to remake one of my existing characters like this... Maybe a Teng-oot :3

Sounds dope! Maybe you can sketch one out?  I heard you're pretty good. :))

[robotox]

Submitted a vote for Fantasy Creatures.  Maybe it's just my lingering penchant for Ghostbusters, but I think a Slimer keycap would be absolutely amazing and really play to your strengths (at least as I perceive them) as a keycap designer. 

Another fantasy-themed one could be the Nazgul mask from the Lord of the Rings movies, which I also think you'd do a fantastic job with (pun intended). 

[thefebruaryman]

If you need some inspiration for new key ideas then you might want to have a look at this

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Goetia-The-Lesser-Solomon-King/dp/087728847X/ref=pd_sim_b_27?ie=UTF8&refRID=16W20M4JCCW6JJPDYMZN

as long as you don't mind looking at a book on magick. It depicts deamons that can be summoned. There are a few examples found via the links on this page

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_demons_in_the_Ars_Goetia#Prince_Seere

but don't blame me if something bad happens

[Binge]

If you need some inspiration for new key ideas then you might want to have a look at this

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Goetia-The-Lesser-Solomon-King/dp/087728847X/ref=pd_sim_b_27?ie=UTF8&refRID=16W20M4JCCW6JJPDYMZN

as long as you don't mind looking at a book on magick. It depicts deamons that can be summoned. There are a few examples found via the links on this page

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_demons_in_the_Ars_Goetia#Prince_Seere

but don't blame me if something bad happens

As if my extensive collection of art by the Knights Templar and various cults wasn't enough

This thread isn't so much for inspiration as seeing if people are expecting something from me.  I'd like to open it up to whatever, so if people want to suggest things like this I'm down to explore.

[thefebruaryman]

If you need some inspiration for new key ideas then you might want to have a look at this

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Goetia-The-Lesser-Solomon-King/dp/087728847X/ref=pd_sim_b_27?ie=UTF8&refRID=16W20M4JCCW6JJPDYMZN

as long as you don't mind looking at a book on magick. It depicts deamons that can be summoned. There are a few examples found via the links on this page

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_demons_in_the_Ars_Goetia#Prince_Seere

but don't blame me if something bad happens

As if my extensive collection of art by the Knights Templar and various cults wasn't enough

This thread isn't so much for inspiration as seeing if people are expecting something from me.  I'd like to open it up to whatever, so if people want to suggest things like this I'm down to explore.

Love the history of the knights of the templar, hope I find out where all that gold got to one day!

[greath]

Just throwing out ideas that I think would be sweet:

*A Beholder

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*A Portal Weighted Companion Cube

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* Shark/Shark Face

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* Cheshire Cat

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[btctopre]

+1 for Cheshire Cat-inspired cap. Binge would be the perfect maker to produce them too.

[thefebruaryman]

+1 for Cheshire Cat-inspired cap. Binge would be the perfect maker to produce them too.

I second this. Love that cat. In topre please 

[Joey Quinn]

+1 for Cheshire Cat-inspired cap. Binge would be the perfect maker to produce them too.

I second this. Love that cat. In topre please 

Agreed

[Badwrench]

+1 for Cheshire Cat-inspired cap. Binge would be the perfect maker to produce them too.

I second this. Love that cat. In topre please 

Agreed

+1 more.  My 2c though in that it should be more in the style of Alice (the video game - bottom of the 3 pictures above).   

Short of that, the second Beholder above or something similar with giant eye would be amazing.  So many possibilities for color combos in the center of the eye!

[cmadrid]

Cheshire cat would be cool, as long as it isnt topre >_>

[3K]

Just tried to form something too.

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(it's supposed to be the Cheshire Cat)

Would be cool to see Binges interpretation!

[Binge]

Just tried to form something too.

More

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(it's supposed to be the Cheshire Cat)

Would be cool to see Binges interpretation!

[Lurch]

lion keyng with dreadlocks

[Binge]

lion keyng with dreadlocks

HOT idea I'd love to make that happen.

[HoffmanMyster]

lion keyng with dreadlocks

 

[Nai_Calus]

Prettyboy(or I guess girl) elf face with long hair. Make it look like Thranduil from the Hobbit movies and you can call it Key Pace lulz.

[calvinhousecat]

lion keyng with dreadlocks

[ccarlitos2]

lion keyng with dreadlocks

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Basically haha

[Binge]

lion keyng with dreadlocks

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Those are braids yo.

[Lurch]

lion keyng with dreadlocks

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Those are braids yo.

Trrrrruuueeeee

[Pdub]

(Attachment Link)

My collection of original sculpts grows every time I feel a design needs refinement.

Hey I'm STILL unhappy with what I'm producing, but I'd like to get an idea where people see my talent is put to the best use.

You won't be stopping me from creating what I want or force my hand to make something I don't want.  It'd be nice to see some organized public opinion.  With the options I've provided in the poll I feel you can ask for just about anything and then leave comments with your vote.

So I never see any of these for sale or trade. Definitely looking forward to getting a keythulu and an Orc! Looking great Binge!

Baller?  YEAH!

[RELLIK]

Well, for whats its worth, (as someone who hasnt had bingecap) kinda of sick my KB just gas artisans in 2 rows for the most part. Be awesome to see some, like homers at least (spookey eyes?, not gonna be deep sculpt, but could go oncave/convex), Mods or like multi pieces (obviously more intensive).
Out of curiosity (ive only seen like glitter) what objects can be molded in the plastic? I've yet to see some steampunk-esque small pieces/gears in a cap, though I spose thats not requiring of sculpting =\
Hanafuda cards are something I really want on my keyboard, but have no idea how 
(man rengar would be sick, but rito _-_)

[cmadrid]

I have a keycap by Nubbinator with gears inside of it actually.

[romevi]

I know we have enough skull caps, but I always thought a Dia de los Muertos one would be neat.


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[SploogeFactory]

This thread isn't so much for inspiration as seeing if people are expecting something from me.  I'd like to open it up to whatever, so if people want to suggest things like this I'm down to explore.

Don't wanna get all expecty on you, just hoping that there will be more tri and quad shot versions of caps like the Orc, looks ****ing sweet.

Just as an aside, I reckon it would be sweet to see some caricatures of notable people from notable events, you know, not gonna really give any examples but just a thought.

[Hexterdude]

I have a keycap by Nubbinator with gears inside of it actually.

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Thats dope. What's the cap called

[cmadrid]

A clockwork heart