[IC] The fade (now with more polling)

[danielucf]

Would anyone be interested in a keyboard set that fades colors in any direction? (top to bottom, left to right, etc) My wife had the idea and made this mock up on her own so I told her I'd toss it out there and see what people think.



Vote for colors or make suggestions

Results

[bueller]

That is an awesome idea. I'm a photographer so I'd a love grey-to-white set.

[mashby]

Very interesting. I'd be interested, depending on the color(s).

[danielucf]

Colors could be anything really, as long as they make a nice gradient.

[Sent]

Depending on the colors, I'd be interested in a set.

[Latin00032]

This sounds really good. Really different. I'd be in depending on color choice or choices. Is there a font or are these just blanks?

[PointyFox]

[danielucf]

This sounds really good. Really different. I'd be in depending on color choice or choices. Is there a font or are these just blanks?

Just seeing if the concept is appealing, then blanks or legends and profile can be  decided upon later. If they were DSA blanks then you could fade up or down or even left to right if enough keys were included. If it had legends then you would be restricted to one configuration for the most part.

[Sent]

This sounds really good. Really different. I'd be in depending on color choice or choices. Is there a font or are these just blanks?

I think I'd actually prefer blanks for this set. 

[Latin00032]

This sounds really good. Really different. I'd be in depending on color choice or choices. Is there a font or are these just blanks?

I think I'd actually prefer blanks for this set. 

I see what you mean. Especially for an idea like this.

[hashbaz]

Yeah definitely might be in for something like this, depending on the colors.

[bueller]

Yeah I'd totally agree on this, legends will ruin the effect IMHO.

[Latin00032]

This sounds really good. Really different. I'd be in depending on color choice or choices. Is there a font or are these just blanks?

Just seeing if the concept is appealing, then blanks or legends and profile can be  decided upon later. If they were DSA blanks then you could fade up or down or even left to right if enough keys were included. If it had legends then you would be restricted to one configuration for the most part.

True. I was thinking that might be the case.

You probably can't pick too many color choices either.

Maybe like a top three. Put it to a vote or something like that.

[rowdy]

Awesome idea!  Don't think I have seen this anywhere before.  Sideways - yes.  Top to bottom - no.

[tricheboars]

i would prefer it to be simpler like just black to white,grey to black, etc. also, dark should be on top no? wouldnt it look more natural like that? i dont know why but it does to me.


also is this even possible to do with molded plastic?

[SpAmRaY]

I could see this turning out very interesting.

[Sent]

I was thinking a "sunset" or "sunrise" look might be kind of cool. 

[pwolfe]

I'd be interested in a grey scale set

[Dubsgalore]

I think this is a very cool idea.
I'm interested, but not in a rainbow
more of 2 shades of one color, or one color to white.

nice!

[danielucf]

Well if we do DSA blanks we could potentially do a lot of different color sets because hitting the higher tiers would be easy. For full size and TKL six different colors would be good, and for 60% five colors. Maybe this is a better idea than I thought it'd be for those who like DSA blanks.

[gnubag]

I would be in for a black to white fade or rainbow set for 60%

[Dubsgalore]

DSA Blanks  so down

[UniClown]

if the gradient is top to bottom we would have to take into account the fact that some keyboard layouts do not have the top row.

Edit: also, left to right has similar issues 60%/tkl/full. Where does the gradient end if keyboards are different sizes?

[PointyFox]

The gradient can also be radial.

[UniClown]

The gradient can also be radial.

woah.

[gnubag]

also pbt would be awesome.

[Sent]

The gradient can also be radial.

[calavera]

Thick PBT blanks with vertical fade gets my vote. Just makes sense.

[sth]

well... i actually type on blanks but you COULD do legends that are slightly lighter/darker than the color of the keys. stealthy.

dang it we don't have a ninja icon

[CommunistWitchDr]

What if it were pbt dyesub, so the gradient is smooth through the keys? I know it's possible, but I'm not sure if any of the cap producers can do that as of now.

[calavera]

How about making the fonts edged in.. kind of a compromise between full fonts and blanks.

[Matt3o]

this is a nice idea but I suspect the cost will be pretty high (the more colors the more work for the molders).

wouldn't be easier to do a black on white PBT and have people dye color the keys on their own? The more you keep them in the hot dye solution the darker they get. This way everyone can use the color they prefer. Also experienced users might help in the process.

[danielucf]

I added a poll. Not sure if I did it right since it is late and I'm kinda tired. Off to bed HAPPY VOTING

this is a nice idea but I suspect the cost will be pretty high (the more colors the more work for the molders).

wouldn't be easier to do a black on white PBT and have people dye color the keys on their own? The more you keep them in the hot dye solution the darker they get. This way everyone can use the color they prefer. Also experienced users might help in the process.

Since it would be DSA blanks having six colors doesn't matter, if one row was 13 keys and we sold 40 sets then we would be at the 520 price point tier which would be pretty  cheap. The only keys that would be slightly more expensive would be anything larger than 1x size.

[Sent]

I want like...three of those options. :|

[danielucf]

I want like...three of those options. :|

It might be possible, but we need to start somewhere.

[Sent]

It might be possible, but we need to start somewhere.

I know.   I just couldn't pick which option.  Frankly, I'm fine with any of them.

[bueller]

Here's a template I made up for the Black/Grey to White. Will knock up some more when I'm home as using paint at work is killing me. Need to work on the gradient as well, not entirely happy with it at the moment. Part of me actually think it would be better not fading completely to white, would prefer a slightly greyer tone for the top row.

[ApocalypseMaow]

Here's a template I made up for the Black/Grey to White. Will knock up some more when I'm home as using paint at work is killing me. Need to work on the gradient as well, not entirely happy with it at the moment. Part of me actually think it would be better not fading completely to white, would prefer a slightly greyer tone for the top row.

Show Image

This is fantastic and I will buy any set that's DSA!

[stoic-lemon]

Yes, I think dark grey to almost grey would look fantastic. I'm also far more in favour of a horizontal gradient.

Dare I say it..........

Shades of Grey?

[bueller]

Yes, I think dark grey to almost grey would look fantastic. I'm also far more in favour of a horizontal gradient.

Dare I say it..........

Shades of Grey?

Hahaha I can see it now! The Geekhack "Five Shades Of Grey Group Buy", minus the S&M!

[SeriouSSpotS]

This is a cool idea.

[The_Beast]

Anything with purple works for me!

[bueller]

Put together another mock up, this time using % values off a grey card. More than happy to help with this Dan if it means it going through, the more I look at these the more I want a set!

Been thinking about fading the colours left to right as well but I'm just not sure it will work as well. All the different sized keys would make it look a mess, at least when you do it top to bottom you have the rows to keep everything looking tidy.

[LechnerDE]

Took the poll. If this happens, will this be ABS or PBT?

[ferociousfingerings]

Definitely "interested" in a fade design. Cannot commit to buy, but definitely an interesting/appealing design choice.

edit: what about instead of "white to color," "black to color?" Or, "grey to color?" Is there something that necessitates the use of a "white" as one of the ends of the gradient?

[pandather]

Left to right won't work well, at all, due to a staggered layout and bigger sized keys... The space bar would look way off... Though it'd be fine on something like an ergodox

[LechnerDE]

I think this fade thing would also look awesome with military colors like in the Commando 23 Group Buy

http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=45655.0

Light grey, into military green into some rusty brown or something

[danielucf]

Put together another mock up, this time using % values off a grey card. More than happy to help with this Dan if it means it going through, the more I look at these the more I want a set!

Been thinking about fading the colours left to right as well but I'm just not sure it will work as well. All the different sized keys would make it look a mess, at least when you do it top to bottom you have the rows to keep everything looking tidy.

Show Image

Show Image

Looks pretty good and white to black is currently winning the poll. I do think I agree with what some people said and we should do an almost white grey fade to almost black like your mockup. I'll try and email Melissa at SP to get some quotes.

Any chance we would want double keys of the 1.25 through 2.75 sizes in both colors to do a top down or bottom up fades?

Also do we want a 5 color fade for 60% boards or a 6 color fade for other boards and people can just decide what to leave off for 60% boards?

[gnubag]

Put together another mock up, this time using % values off a grey card. More than happy to help with this Dan if it means it going through, the more I look at these the more I want a set!

Been thinking about fading the colours left to right as well but I'm just not sure it will work as well. All the different sized keys would make it look a mess, at least when you do it top to bottom you have the rows to keep everything looking tidy.

Show Image

Show Image

Looks pretty good and white to black is currently winning the poll. I do think I agree with what some people said and we should do an almost white grey fade to almost black like your mockup. I'll try and email Melissa at SP to get some quotes.

Any chance we would want double keys of the 1.25 through 2.75 sizes in both colors to do a top down or bottom up fades?

Also do we want a 5 color fade for 60% boards or a 6 color fade for other boards and people can just decide what to leave off for 60% boards?

you could make a the 6th row a solid color and sell it seperate with the other keys you need for a tkl or full size keyboard.

[Sent]

Looks pretty good and white to black is currently winning the poll. I do think I agree with what some people said and we should do an almost white grey fade to almost black like your mockup. I'll try and email Melissa at SP to get some quotes.

Any chance we would want double keys of the 1.25 through 2.75 sizes in both colors to do a top down or bottom up fades?

Also do we want a 5 color fade for 60% boards or a 6 color fade for other boards and people can just decide what to leave off for 60% boards?

Personally, I'd much prefer a 5 color fade for 60% boards but I can see it making sense to do a 6 color for everyone else.  And as long as there's a 1.75 right shift I'm happy. >_>

you could make a the 6th row a solid color and sell it seperate with the other keys you need for a tkl or full size keyboard.

This.