[IC] Topographic Deskmat (will not be run)

[EthanN]

This design will not be run due to the similarity between it and the randomfrankp x Novelkeys design. I did not want to copy them, and I didn't realize how similar they are when I created this post. Thanks for all the feedback that I got, and I'll try to apply it to my next design (that I will make sure does not look anything like an existing deskmat ). I would delete this thread but I can't figure out how.

[DALExSNAIL]

*randomfrankp is typing*

[sandragm]

Somewhat similar to the concept behind randomfrankp's x Novelkeys deskmat design. But it looks pretty good to me.

[EthanN]

*randomfrankp is typing*

Somewhat similar to the concept behind randomfrankp's x Novelkeys deskmat design. But it looks pretty good to me.

Thanks!

You're right, I wanted one of the randomfrankp collab deskpads, but I got into keyboards way after the groupbuy was finished.

[Alessio]

As many will say, this looks very similar to the Randomfrankp x NK Topographical deskmat. I get that you say it's "randomly generated" but maybe you'd benefit from making at least just the black one more original by adding to the design some more, as that's the only color the Novelkeys one comes in.

Other than that, it's still a nice design, I like the different color options and would probably pick one up myself.

TL;DR: Change up the black one a little bit more to make it differentiate easier from the randomfrankp one. Otherwise nice.

[EthanN]

As many will say, this looks very similar to the Randomfrankp x NK Topographical deskmat. I get that you say it's "randomly generated" but maybe you'd benefit from making at least just the black one more original by adding to the design some more, as that's the only color the Novelkeys one comes in.

Other than that, it's still a nice design, I like the different color options and would probably pick one up myself.

TL;DR: Change up the black one a little bit more to make it differentiate easier from the randomfrankp one. Otherwise nice.

Okay, how would you suggest doing it? I feel like most topo patterns look similar, unless they're of a real location, so I'm unsure of how to differentiate it.

[Alessio]

Okay, how would you suggest doing it? I feel like most topo patterns look similar, unless they're of a real location, so I'm unsure of how to differentiate it.
[/quote]


To be honest I'm not 100% sure. If you put the two next to each other they don't look similar at all, so maybe try to implement a small little logo or something similar using the lines from the topography. This was actually done on the RFP deskmat, if you look around the bottom right of it, his channel logo is in sneakily hidden in the topography.

[EthanN]

Okay, how would you suggest doing it? I feel like most topo patterns look similar, unless they're of a real location, so I'm unsure of how to differentiate it.

To be honest I'm not 100% sure. If you put the two next to each other they don't look similar at all, so maybe try to implement a small little logo or something similar using the lines from the topography. This was actually done on the RFP deskmat, if you look around the bottom right of it, his channel logo is in sneakily hidden in the topography.
[/quote]

Alright, I might be able to do something like that. Thanks so much for the feedback!

[konstantin]

The image links in the OP are broken.

[Shiro]

all the images are broken. Cant see any of them. So...

[Sabin]

Can't see images

[phinix]

I like those vivid colors and texture

[mgsickler]

Thanks!

You're right, I wanted one of the randomfrankp collab deskpads, but I got into keyboards way after the groupbuy was finished.

Just as a heads up, the randomfrankp deskpads are being continually stocked, and new colors are already in transit.

[EthanN]

Just as a heads up, the randomfrankp deskpads are being continually stocked, and new colors are already in transit.

Okay, though I wanted one a few months ago and they haven't been in stock since I started checking. Thanks for the heads up though.

[EthanN]

all the images are broken. Cant see any of them. So...

Can't see images

The image links in the OP are broken.

There are also images in the google form, I'm not really sure how to fix it as someone posted after you and seemed to be able to see them.

[EthanN]

I like those vivid colors and texture

Thanks! Glad you like it!

[FaKe_VirTual]

I suggest you to upload the pictures to something like imgur.
This will work for everyone.

[EthanN]

I suggest you to upload the pictures to something like imgur.
This will work for everyone.

Okay, give me 5 minutes.

[EthanN]

The image links in the OP are broken.

all the images are broken. Cant see any of them. So...

I suggest you to upload the pictures to something like imgur.
This will work for everyone.

Can't see images

I switched to imgur, can you see them now?

[mgsickler]

Okay, though I wanted one a few months ago and they haven't been in stock since I started checking. Thanks for the heads up though.

They were restocked last month, with a healthy supply.

[EthanN]

They were restocked last month, with a healthy supply.

Weird, they never seemed to show up on the website. I was probably looking in the wrong place, but I just looked and they're currently out of stock.

[FaKe_VirTual]

I suggest you to upload the pictures to something like imgur.
This will work for everyone.

Can't see images

I switched to imgur, can you see them now?

Yes, now they're visible.
Looking good!

[EthanN]

Yes, now they're visible.
Looking good!

Great, thanks!

[Bl4ck]

A monochrome gradient one, and EU proxy and I'm in!

[EthanN]

A monochrome gradient one, and EU proxy and I'm in!

It looks like TheKey.Company has an EU proxy, and I've gotten 2 requests for a monochrome gradient, so I'll probably do that. Thanks for the feedback!

[Lefach]

Being a Land Surveyor, I approve this design!

[janglad]

GL with the lawsuit man!

In all seriousness tho, this def is too close to the RandomFrankP design.

[phinix]

What is mocha color? Is it like brown+cream?
I would love to see coffee color - dark brown and cream lines.

[Bonsa]

Maybe you could try to take the topographic map of an existing mountain range in order to avoid any problems with Novelkeys?
I like the colors!

[Eddie_Caps]

Maybe you could try to take the topographic map of an existing mountain range in order to avoid any problems with Novelkeys?
I like the colors!

This is a great idea. Maybe you could theme it after national parks or something, and each park is a different color. Or for something less US-centered, different mountain ranges such as the Himalayas, Rocky Mountains, Alps, Andes, etc. Idk just a thought.

[EthanN]

GL with the lawsuit man!

In all seriousness tho, this def is too close to the RandomFrankP design.

This is a great idea. Maybe you could theme it after national parks or something, and each park is a different color. Or for something less US-centered, different mountain ranges such as the Himalayas, Rocky Mountains, Alps, Andes, etc. Idk just a thought.

Maybe you could try to take the topographic map of an existing mountain range in order to avoid any problems with Novelkeys?
I like the colors!

Update-I got an email from TheKey.Company stating that they can't accept the design because it's too close to the randomfrankp deskmat. I'm going to try to come up with a way to differentiate it, and the first thing will probably be to try what a couple of you have said so far, which is to model it after an existing mountain range. I was thinking in one of the corners I could have the lat/longitude of the center of the mountain range, and the name of the mountain range as well. Thank you all for the feedback, and I hope I can come up with a solution soon. I'll keep you posted. If there's any specific mountain ranges or color combos that you have in mind, please let me know.

[EthanN]

What is mocha color? Is it like brown+cream?
I would love to see coffee color - dark brown and cream lines.

The names are mostly so I don't have to write the actual colors every time I mention that color combo. Mocha was just the first thing that came to mind when I saw it. It's a dark brown with orange lines. Sorry, I should have been more specific.

[juice_pouch]

Update-I got an email from TheKey.Company stating that they can't accept the design because it's too close to the randomfrankp deskmat. I'm going to try to come up with a way to differentiate it, and the first thing will probably be to try what a couple of you have said so far, which is to model it after an existing mountain range. I was thinking in one of the corners I could have the lat/longitude of the center of the mountain range, and the name of the mountain range as well. Thank you all for the feedback, and I hope I can come up with a solution soon. I'll keep you posted. If there's any specific mountain ranges or color combos that you have in mind, please let me know.

I figure you could hit a large segment of the population by doing the Rockies and the Appalachian Mountains (maybe just the Blue Ridge if all of Appalachia is too big)

[EthanN]

Update-I got an email from TheKey.Company stating that they can't accept the design because it's too close to the randomfrankp deskmat. I'm going to try to come up with a way to differentiate it, and the first thing will probably be to try what a couple of you have said so far, which is to model it after an existing mountain range. I was thinking in one of the corners I could have the lat/longitude of the center of the mountain range, and the name of the mountain range as well. Thank you all for the feedback, and I hope I can come up with a solution soon. I'll keep you posted. If there's any specific mountain ranges or color combos that you have in mind, please let me know.

I figure you could hit a large segment of the population by doing the Rockies and the Appalachian Mountains (maybe just the Blue Ridge if all of Appalachia is too big)

Yeah, that might be an option. I'm still trying to figure out how to generate topo designs of real places. Thanks for the idea!

[amperrsand]

Would you be into adding landmarks and icons to the map, ones that are used in topography? Or are you wanting to just keep the contour aesthetic? Mostly asking to put more ideas out there to differentiate.

[wil]

hey if randomfrankp really owns the topographic pattern i got a lot of publishers he can sue. hell, there's a whole industry that's been profiting off of his IP! we can make a fortune!

[zekkin]

This seems like a very egregious step over the line in terms of respect between designers.

I would consider what you want your legacy to be in this community: creator of novel deskmat designs, or someone who decided to copy a deskmat design, make profit on it, all because they were impatient.

[EthanN]

This seems like a very egregious step over the line in terms of respect between designers.

I would consider what you want your legacy to be in this community: creator of novel deskmat designs, or someone who decided to copy a deskmat design, make profit on it, all because they were impatient.

I think you're right and that I'm going to have to abandon the idea, because my intention was not to copy randomfrankp or novelkeys, and I think that it really is just too similar without a real way to differentiate. Thanks everyone for the feedback and ideas!
Ethan

[KKoNaM]

what about this kind of topography (just wanna give u some ideas)
https://stock.adobe.com/th/images/topography-relief/267582951
https://stock.adobe.com/th/images/topography-relief-abstract-background-vector-illustration-outline-cartography-landscape-modern-poster-design-trendy-cover-with-wavy-colorful-lines/267582554

[Bl4ck]

the gradient ones are quite a bit different from NK x RFP I would love to see those run (monochrome variant if possible)