New to the hobby, hello!

[greenleaf]

Hi there! I don't know if anyone takes the time to read these but I'm writing one anyway, partly to develop a post history and partly to document a little about where I'm at with the hobby currently.
I've had an interest in mechanical keyboards since I was probably 18. I've had mechs since then, but never really realized how granular one could get with the specifications and customization until early 2020, when I began browsing r/mk. Since then I have frankensteined a tofu60 together with a GK61 and keycaps from a coolermaster masterkeys S, lubricated about 120 keyswitches and begun learning how to use blender to render keycap designs.

I'm particularly excited about keycap designs, and I'm working on two concepts currently. One is based on the aesthetic of medical device design (think scrubs and imaging technology) which I am calling Magnetic Resonance. The other is based on the Greenleaf Tool Company, which my great grandfather founded, and borrows from an old equipment box of theirs that I have lying around. I'm calling it Greenleaf Carbide. I was just able to figure out how to do the most basic render of a keyset this morning, which I am attaching here. It uses someone else's blender file, and I'm not sure how kosher that is, so I'll be researching how to create my own. I have a few years of experience in photoshop, but mostly for photography, so I have a lot to learn.

Anyway, I'm excited to get more involved in this community, and to learn and grow with you all! Take care.

[Maledicted]

Welcome to Geekhack greenleaf. I try to read and respond to these when I have some time. It is probably a losing battle though. Those caps look cool to me, though I'm not big on caps. Nice work.

[greenleaf]

Thanks for taking the time to read and respond!
I have a long way to go before I create an interest check of any kind, but I'm really excited to learn how to make renders and create concepts, even if they ultimately remain concepts. What makes me excited about keycaps is the union of design principles and utility - it seems that you can take a color palette from any concept, a show, a character, a piece of history, and use a keyset as a medium for it! I understand why it may come off as unnecessary though lol.

[Maledicted]

Of course. I just wish I could respond to them all. Nobody ever responded to my own new member post, lol.

That all makes sense to me. I agree, it is a good medium for experimentation and creativity. I would probably care more about caps if I weren't so cheap. If nothing else, you'll probably learn some new skills.