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geekhack Marketplace => Interest Checks => Topic started by: SwitchKeys on Sun, 12 January 2020, 20:51:12

Title: [IC] The Tree Mat. A global fundraising initiative. | GB IS LIVE!
Post by: SwitchKeys on Sun, 12 January 2020, 20:51:12: Presenting The Tree Mat
(https://i.imgur.com/oyIIXmF.jpg)

The Story:
As many of you are aware the current state of bushfires in Australia nationally is of an absolutely unprecedented scale. Lives have been lost in the course of duty, countless homes destroyed and over half a billion animals killed.

For this reason, we at SwitchKeys would like to do our part in contributing directly to the Country Fire Authority's Victoria Bushfire Relief initiative with this massive global effort.

We are so wonderfully proud to reveal the Tree Mat. The Tree Mat symbolises everything about these devastating fires.

The iconic Australian Gum Tree - synonymous with Australian flora and fauna. Unfortunately this beautiful tree is also one of the reasons these fires have been so devastating. For this reason we have placed a single isolated tree front and centre. During daily use, it is hidden, a symbolic nod to not needing to actually see a problem to be aware of it.

The black mat symbolises the devastating smoke, darkness, ash and desolation. It also symbolises the battle of mental health, something those on the frontlines in particular have seen on an almost unimaginable level.

The red stitching around the edges symbolises the fires, and how around the borders in particular are under siege.

This is an exercise in unity. A global show of humanitarianism. All profits raised will donated directly to the Country Fire Authority's Victoria Bushfire Relief initiative. Any and all vendors both domestically and internationally are welcomed.

We are actively working hard to lower any production and logistic costs. I will be delivering as much Melbourne based stock as we can personally.

We will also be buying out the 50 MOQ regardless of if we sell 1 or 100.

Estimated Shipping: March 2020.
Hopeful group buy dates: Thursday 16th of Jan --> Thursday 30th of Jan.

Le Proxies: (Subject to grow.. Please reach out!)
Please note this is a non-limited proxy run. If you'd like to take part, please contact me.

AU: SwitchKeys (https://www.switchkeys.com.au/collections/deskmats/products/tree-mat-cfa-fundraiser)
AS: zFrontier (https://en.zfrontier.com/products/tree-mat-cfa)
USA: TheKeyCompany (https://thekey.company/collections/group-buys/products/tree-mat)
USA: TealTechnik (https://tealtechnik.com/products/tree-mat-cfa-fundraiser-group-buy)
CA: DeskHero (https://www.deskhero.ca)
EU: ProtoTypist.net (https://prototypist.net/collections/frontpage/products/tree-mat-australia-cfa-fundraiser)

The Tree Mat was designed by @NathanAlphaMan. Thank you so much man. Nathan is such a passionate and caring man. No 2am late night musing is too much for him, especially when I'm asking him to help me design it while he's on a plane and probably with a million other things to do. ;D
Title: Re: [IC] The Tree Mat. A global Australian Bushfire fundraising initiative.
Post by: mrpetrov on Sun, 12 January 2020, 20:56:46: I'd love to buy a couple of these. It's a great mat notwithstanding -- but as an expat aussie this is also close to my home and heart.
Title: Re: [IC] The Tree Mat. A global Australian Bushfire fundraising initiative.
Post by: mrpetrov on Sun, 12 January 2020, 20:57:01: [duplicate]
Title: Re: [IC] The Tree Mat. A global Australian Bushfire fundraising initiative.
Post by: yui_ on Sun, 12 January 2020, 20:57:28: Is the position of the tree final? I usually have my keyboard in the centre of a mat like this, which would completely cover the tree in this design.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: [IC] The Tree Mat. A global Australian Bushfire fundraising initiative.
Post by: Rejeckted on Sun, 12 January 2020, 21:00:08: I'll be in for at least 1
Title: Re: [IC] The Tree Mat. A global Australian Bushfire fundraising initiative.
Post by: mrpetrov on Sun, 12 January 2020, 21:00:45: Quote from: jorj_mk on Sun, 12 January 2020, 20:57:28
Is the position of the tree final? I usually have my keyboard in the centre of a mat like this, which would completely cover the tree in this design.

This is a central part of the design as explained in the inspiration text above.
Title: Re: [IC] The Tree Mat. A global Australian Bushfire fundraising initiative.
Post by: Abec13 on Sun, 12 January 2020, 21:01:19: Consider offering just mousemat sized ones. I'm in.
Title: Re: [IC] The Tree Mat. A global Australian Bushfire fundraising initiative.
Post by: yui_ on Sun, 12 January 2020, 21:02:33: Quote from: mrpetrov on Sun, 12 January 2020, 21:00:45
Quote from: jorj_mk on Sun, 12 January 2020, 20:57:28
Is the position of the tree final? I usually have my keyboard in the centre of a mat like this, which would completely cover the tree in this design.

This is a central part of the design as explained in the inspiration text above.

Ah, sorry. It’s 3am and I’m not the most focused.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: [IC] The Tree Mat. A global Australian Bushfire fundraising initiative.
Post by: mrpetrov on Sun, 12 January 2020, 21:03:14: Quote from: Abec13 on Sun, 12 January 2020, 21:01:19
Consider offering just mousemat sized ones. I'm in.

Personally, while I get the OP's design inspiration, if the ultimate aim is to maximize donations to the CFA, then accommodating demand for a version with (say) a tree in the bottom left corner sounds like a pretty decent shout perhaps?
Title: Re: [IC] The Tree Mat. A global Australian Bushfire fundraising initiative.
Post by: Loges on Sun, 12 January 2020, 21:19:44: I'll be in.

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Title: Re: [IC] The Tree Mat. A global Australian Bushfire fundraising initiative.
Post by: Aiwanei on Sun, 12 January 2020, 21:20:40: Quote from: mrpetrov on Sun, 12 January 2020, 21:03:14
Quote from: Abec13 on Sun, 12 January 2020, 21:01:19
Consider offering just mousemat sized ones. I'm in.

Personally, while I get the OP's design inspiration, if the ultimate aim is to maximize donations to the CFA, then accommodating demand for a version with (say) a tree in the bottom left corner sounds like a pretty decent shout perhaps?

I imagine the difficult part in offering an alternative is that increases costs overall, which defeats the goal of maximizing profits to be donated, though if it would help sales enough that could offset those increased costs of having 2 designs maybe. Personally I like the current design, but completely understand the desire for an alternative.
Title: Re: [IC] The Tree Mat. A global Australian Bushfire fundraising initiative.
Post by: Tymm0 on Sun, 12 January 2020, 21:21:14: I love the idea and the thought put behind this. I'll be picking one up. Also sent pm to see if theres anything we can help with.
Title: Re: [IC] The Tree Mat. A global Australian Bushfire fundraising initiative.
Post by: SwitchKeys on Sun, 12 January 2020, 22:15:30: Thanks guys for everyone that's contributed with feedback thus far.
Yes as was elaborated in the OP there was a design element to doing it that way, having said that I'm definitely not against alternate designs if people ultimately think that will be something that would make them want to buy it more!

I'm just wary to not dilute costs with a bigger range, or alternative sizes especially from an economies of scale and a logistic side of things. I especially want to keep it simple and reward everyone contributing to a great cause with something we can all remember these events by.

I'll keep proxy listings updated as they become updated. zFrontier have just signed on so I will update their listing when Alex gives it to me.

Thanks

Stef
Title: Re: [IC] The Tree Mat. A global Australian Bushfire fundraising initiative.
Post by: tex_live_utility on Sun, 12 January 2020, 22:32:06: What size is the mat? 900mm?
Title: Re: [IC] The Tree Mat. A global Australian Bushfire fundraising initiative.
Post by: NathanAlphaMan on Mon, 13 January 2020, 00:40:38: Quote from: tex_live_utility on Sun, 12 January 2020, 22:32:06
What size is the mat? 900mm?

Mats are 400x900mm, correct
Title: Re: [IC] The Tree Mat. A global fundraising initiative. | MORE VENDORS
Post by: SwitchKeys on Wed, 15 January 2020, 00:32:44: Small bump to say we are all good to go with this! Special thanks to TealTechnik for arranging a large purchase of mats and joining the efforts to push even more.
We'll be launching Thursday AM Michigan time.

Air Quality chart for the last 24 hours in Melbourne
(https://i.imgur.com/E0fCfMd.png)
Title: Re: [IC] The Tree Mat. A global fundraising initiative. | GB IS LIVE!
Post by: SwitchKeys on Thu, 16 January 2020, 16:43:39: Group buy is live on all vendors!

So far we're off to a fantastic start, we are just shy of 100 sold! Not including numbers from Asia. Thank you all so much for the support so far.
Title: Re: [IC] The Tree Mat. A global fundraising initiative. | GB IS LIVE!
Post by: jerrolds on Thu, 16 January 2020, 23:08:40: I'd love to be a Canadian Proxy for this if theres room :)
Title: Re: [IC] The Tree Mat. A global fundraising initiative. | GB IS LIVE!
Post by: Zacharius on Tue, 21 January 2020, 20:34:54: In for 10 of these bad boys.

Also - thanks for doing this m8
Title: Re: [IC] The Tree Mat. A global fundraising initiative. | GB IS LIVE!
Post by: SwitchKeys on Tue, 21 January 2020, 21:17:47: Thanks so much for your support!
DeskHero has joined the fray. I'll look to get week 1 numbers just waiting on proxies to get me their totals. So far though we are well over 200!