[IC]GMK Pharaoh : Excavations of ancient Kemet!

[SxM Designs]

Interest Check Form

(Archeological excavations take a long time but I have kept the IC form short and would be really grateful if you could spend a couple of minutes to give me some feedback.)

 

"Man, know yourself... and you shall know the gods."

Click "MORE" if you want to read about the design inspiration, sublegends and colors choices.

The inspiration from this set comes from the great pyramids of Giza and the ancient Egyptian Civilization.
We decided to use two simple yet meaningful colors for the people of ancient Egypt.

Black (Ancient Egyptian name "kem") : It the color of the fertile silt left by the Nile during its annual flooding giving rise to the Ancient Egyptian name for the country - "kemet" (black land). Black symbolizes fertility, new life/beginnings and resurrection. The gods were typically represented with gold skin with an exception of Osiris who is depicted with black skin symbolizing fertility, regeneration, and the underworld where the sun was said to regenerate every night. It was made from carbon, ground charcoal, mixed with water and sometimes burnt animal bones. 

Yellow/ Gold (Ancient Egyptian name "khenet" and "kenit"/"nebu" or "nebw") : It repesented the color of women's skin, as well as the skin of people who lived near the Mediterranean. Gold also represented the skin of the gods and the sun itself. Hence it was used for anything which was considered eternal or indestructible and perfect. The ancient Egyptians made numerous statues of the gods that were either made of gold or covered with gold leaf. They also made yellow pigments such as yellow ochre (an ore of iron) and massicot (an oxide of lead).


Sublegends : We have looked into ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics and designed new sublegends which would be made by GMK as a doubleshot keycap. The design is quite well thought of. However, if anyone thinks we made some mistakes please contact us. We want to be as accurate as possible.

FUN FACT : Notice the sublegends on number 0 is missing. Its because ancient Egyptian mathematics did not have 0.

Please use this reference image! Click to Zoom.

We really hope you like what you see. This color scheme is quite common but we dont feel we could do justice to this set if we circumvent and use some other color options. Please leave us your valuable feedback in the IC form. Thanks for reading! 

After a thorough excavation of the area around the Great pyramids of Giza, we decided on the following kits to represent this set. Changes will be made depending on opinions and request. So, please fill up the IC and leave us feedback.

Kemet aka Base Kit                                                       Nebu aka Alternate Alphas  

   

Obelisk aka Spacebars

Ancients aka Novelties

R1 1u : Mask of Tutankhamun , 1U : Queen Nefertiti                  
R1 1u : Anubis, 2U : Sphinx                                         
R2 1u : Horus                                                       
R3 1u : Osiris, 1.75U Eye of Ra and Horus with Ankh, 2.25U Scarab   
R4 1u : Mummy in Sarcophagus, 1.25U Hieroglphics, 1.5U Hieroglyphics

Disclaimer : The colors you see here and in the renders are a very close representation of the actual physical colors (GMK stock color ring and RAL D2 design plus book). Please be aware that physical colors cannot be replicated in web space. The colors also vary from screen to screen. I would color match to the best of my abilities.

Color codes

Main      : GMK CR                                               
Legends   : RAL 070 70 60 or GMK N6 - An elegant shade of gold.  
Alternate : Reverse Colorway                                     

More

Fuji65 by CMM.Studio.

   

   

More

Nemui by Bachoo.

More

   

   

Isometria by ebastler.

More

   

U80-A by Rama Works.

More

   

Dalco 959 Mini by Hand Engineering.

More

SP-111 by BlindAssassin111.

More

   

Archaeological excavation ongoing!

EU      : TBD            
NA      : TBD            
UK      : TBD            
Canada  : TBD            
Asia    : TBD            
China   : TBD            
Oceania : TBD            

   GB Date : Q2-Q3 2021

Archeologists team assembling soon!

For updates to this current project and future ones, please join our discord and follow us over Instagram at the links below. We would really appreciate it.

   

If you want to support this project please add this signature and spread the word. Thanks 

To add a signature go to Profile -> Modify Profile -> Forum Profile -> Signature

Code: [Select]

[url=https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=110905.0][img width=302 height=120]https://i.imgur.com/lurnPfI.jpg[/img][/url]

[SxM Designs]

Reserved!

[yoot]

Im not sure if these sublegends are possible with doubleshot and GMKs current tooling. Will they be uv/pad printed?

[Arithmetics]

double shot hieroglyphics or no?

[nvh2092]

Just go to gb already.... I want it

[Oggi]

I would just do black latin alpha's, but the novelties look really good, as does the set

[DotMatrix]

Overall it looks cool, but some of the legends and icons look like they won't fit into GMK's restrictions for double-shot: https://uniqey.zendesk.com/hc/article_attachments/360006006819/2K_double_shot_reference_with_explanation.png

[NoPunIn10Did]

Personally, I'd move the gold bars from the spacebars kit to the alt alphas (or at least one of them).  Those alphas would make a heck of a standalone kit for mixing-and-matching with other GMK sets' mods, provided the spacebars were provided.

[productkun]

Text + icon mods please, otherwise the mods are too empty imho

[Xanira]

i mean it looks good but kinda boring with another plain black set imo. good luck though

[iinko_mk]

so Egyptian GMK spirit? Like i love the theme, but maybe the colors were not thought out enough. And GB Q2 2021? that's quite ambitious

[nu_types]

As others have stated, some of the designs don't meet GMKs reqs and new molds would be required if you want doubleshot sublegends - which is fine if you or the vendor can cover the cost, but that may be a hard sell since I don't imagine these subs getting much more use outside of this set. You may want to consider dyesub instead.

Also, where is the Aaru render??

Also, setting a GB date of Q2 is rather optimistic without any vendors selected.

[SxM Designs]

double shot hieroglyphics or no?

Yeah its doubleshot! The designs conform to GMK specifications.

[SxM Designs]

Overall it looks cool, but some of the legends and icons look like they won't fit into GMK's restrictions for double-shot: https://uniqey.zendesk.com/hc/article_attachments/360006006819/2K_double_shot_reference_with_explanation.png

The designs were done with this image in hand. It conforms to the specs!

[NathanAlphaMan]

Overall it looks cool, but some of the legends and icons look like they won't fit into GMK's restrictions for double-shot: https://uniqey.zendesk.com/hc/article_attachments/360006006819/2K_double_shot_reference_with_explanation.png

The designs were done with this image in hand. It conforms to the specs!

Have you confirmed this with GMK? Because after going through the process of remaking all ShanShui legends twice to fit into spec, that "reference" is not very accurate to their actual specifications.

[HoodrowThrillson]

Overall it looks cool, but some of the legends and icons look like they won't fit into GMK's restrictions for double-shot: https://uniqey.zendesk.com/hc/article_attachments/360006006819/2K_double_shot_reference_with_explanation.png

The designs were done with this image in hand. It conforms to the specs!

Based off of personal experience, some of that stuff isn't gonna fly.

[krzank]

UK-ISO please.
Stepped ICON caps please.

[Full]

I will take anything on CR 

[derpturtle]

If the subs are gonna be doubleshot then a) hot. and b) good luck bud, this might be tough.

[FamilyJoule924]

i'd love to see doubleshot mono hyroglyphs

[Lizcuits]

This looks nice but these novelties aren't going to work with GMK specs. If you used the reference image, it's not to scale so you need to take into account the actual physical sizes. The sublegends are much too small and intricate and I don't think any single one of the novelties is going to be able to make it through without a redesign.

I like the designs in general, best of luck getting them to fit the specs. Please double check with GMK to get an official response on whether these are okay! I like these colors and overall design a lot so I'd like to see this make it without too much trouble.

[Kokaloo]

oh hey this is what GMK Lux was supposed to be!

[EURA]

Speaking from experience, the novelties and sublegends won't work with GMK manu restrictions. Not to mention that all these new molds are going to be super pricey. Utilizing dye-sub would be much more practical and cost-effective imo. I think the sublegends should be a bit bigger for better readability and to fill out the negative space a bit more. GLWIC!

[SxM Designs]

As far as I understand, the design conforms to the limitations of GMK.
In any case, GMK does not talk to designers directly. The main vendor would start the talks / quotes etc. We will obviously have to work hard if necessary to make this work. The goal really is to introduce hieroglyphics sublegends.
As far as prices are concerned, I think a higher MOQ should take care of that.

[MrFixIT12]

Looks good. If this works out and is in spec for double shot count me in. Would love to see doubleshot mono hieroglyphs as well

[jijibaebe]

I'm here for it! 100% on my buy list.

[Gghubba]

Finally another black and gold set! Got into mk after gmk spirit so been looking for something like this
Are there any plans for alphas without the hieroglyphics?

[Bachoo]

I love this set's aesthetics and I really really like the gold on black, but I am concerned about the tolerences of these legends/novelties. Have you considered going the UV printing route?

[Khaine]

I dig this set so much, I hope the novelties and sub legends come out the way they should with which ever process you decide to take! GL  - You might want to put IC in the title too !

[SxM Designs]

I dig this set so much, I hope the novelties and sub legends come out the way they should with which ever process you decide to take! GL  - You might want to put IC in the title too !

Thanks a lot ! Yeah I missed it 

[Keeblet_257]

I think it is better to remove the numpad keys from the base kit and make it a seperate kit to reduce the base kit, since I don't think that many people have fullsize keebs

[NoPunIn10Did]

I think it is better to remove the numpad keys from the base kit and make it a seperate kit to reduce the base kit, since I don't think that many people have fullsize keebs

An observation based on monitoring GMK sales:

Removing Numpad from base is generally only viable for GMK when base MOQ is particularly high. A base kit aiming for around 1000 sales can support a reasonably-priced Numpad kit.

Otherwise the total price of base+Numpad can end up high enough that it loses significant base customers. For sets that *do* provide Numpad kits separately, the attachment rate as compared to base hovers around 15-30%. So, not the majority, but a pretty sizeable minority.

TL;DR
Separating Numpad in GMK tends to work out best for designers that can guarantee a particular level of popularity.

[SxM Designs]

I think it is better to remove the numpad keys from the base kit and make it a seperate kit to reduce the base kit, since I don't think that many people have fullsize keebs

An observation based on monitoring GMK sales:

Removing Numpad from base is generally only viable for GMK when base MOQ is particularly high. A base kit aiming for around 1000 sales can support a reasonably-priced Numpad kit.

Otherwise the total price of base+Numpad can end up high enough that it loses significant base customers. For sets that *do* provide Numpad kits separately, the attachment rate as compared to base hovers around 15-30%. So, not the majority, but a pretty sizeable minority.

TL;DR
Separating Numpad in GMK tends to work out best for designers that can guarantee a particular level of popularity.

This is absolutely true!

[immaphantomlol]

yup. i love it. in for this 100%

[IOVERCALLHISTIOCYTES]

I'd buy the ~150$ base w doubleshot hieroglyphs or the cheaper base w UV print

[cldskt]

Please color match the gold with a RAL chip / brass piece. Hopefully the gold will turn out actually looking like gold color instead of yellow like some other sets.

[sup3r170va]

I’m in for this.
Personally I don’t need the numpads. Honestly, not sure how many people do. I note the earlier comment that the price difference doesn’t make sense unless MOQ is very high. To this end, if we can bundle space bars or 40s kit inside the main kit instead of numpad, that would be nice. I suspect pricing will be similar. 

[Sephiephiroth]

Think this would be awesome if you could make it work in any way. Would 100% purchase. Not sure if there's any gold on black sets out there, but I'd love it - ancient egyptian themed also is sweet.

Good luck!

[martensson]

Fantastic set, and something I am very interested to join!

But might I suggest adding some night sky blue accents? Gold and Lapis Lazuli was often used together (Tutankhamun's golden mask as an example).
More info here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Egyptian_blue

[kidviddy]

Mentioned this in the IC form, but I'd love a monolegend alternative! It looks cool and is also usable on non-ANSI boards. It would mean a whole extra set of moulds, which may be a tough sell, but I for one would love it (I love the base set as it is, but alas I cannot use it).

[SwitchKeys]

I wont echo what's already been said a million times here regarding the legend issues you may have, but I will say the concept is amazing.

I had pitched almost the exact same concept early last year so would love to see someone come through with it! May be worth looking at alternatives to double shot though or reworking those novs.

[CustomerSupport]

Also, where is the Aaru render??

You and your Aaru…

[SxM Designs]

If the subs are gonna be doubleshot then a) hot. and b) good luck bud, this might be tough.

Thanks. Yes definitely its gonna be tough . Good things are not easy anyways

[SxM Designs]

Another thing : I changed the tentative GB date from Q2 to Q2-Q3 2021

As a non native English speaker Q2 does not mean April 2021 in my head. I thought it May- June. In any case, the dates are tentative and depends on a ton of other things!
Sorry for the confusion!

[outerspace]

How about going with KAT? GMK is too limited and too expensive!

Edit: this is like a match made in heaven for the AARU TKL.

[mustardgreens]

How about going with KAT? GMK is too limited and too expensive!

Edit: this is like a match made in heaven for the AARU TKL.

Agreed with KAT > GMK for this.
Some of the legends are a bit busy. I'm not a fan of the mirrored Eye of Horus novelty. I think it looks weird. Just one eye is better, and put it on a 1U or a key where it can be on its own. Same with the Ankh.

Forgive me if I'm wrong but it appears that the legends are just gibberish? If you took the time to reach out to an Egyptologist / Ancient Egyptian Linguist, you might be able to get some approximate translations for the modifiers. I can put you in touch with an ancient Egyptian professor who would be happy to help with this. Feel free to pm

[Zyrophr]

How is it possible that there is no render with the Aaru
jokes aside, looks dope, I'm in.

[SxM Designs]

We like to really concentrate on the community concern. However, I would like to show a small pic on why I said we are conforming to GMK specs.
However, some designers told me that GMK specs in their website might not be accurate. In any case, we will see. There is some room to redo the sublegends and novelties if need.



After a 2000 Percent Zoom



I hope this clarifies the issues discussed in here!

[Lizcuits]

Can we see a similar thing for some of of the other novelties? For example the eye almost certainly doesn't follow the same conventions (ex. rounded corners missing, nearly touching in some gaps)

I went ahead and circled the parts that looked most concerning to me, though I am still a bit worried that you'll be losing detail on several parts of your designs such as the mouth of the beetle even if it technically fits the specs. All of the sublegends look much too intricate to me still as well, so while I'm glad you seem to have your specs worked out, I wouldn't place any bets on them working. Consider reworking them just for clarity's sake, because even in the renders with clear "printing" they do not read super well from a distance and lose a lot of detail unless you zoom in.

I don't mean to sound harsh so forgive me if it comes across that way, I just don't want to see something like this trying something cool and new but having it turn out a bit scuffed because of manu limitations.

[SxM Designs]

Can we see a similar thing for some of of the other novelties? For example the eye almost certainly doesn't follow the same conventions (ex. rounded corners missing, nearly touching in some gaps)

I went ahead and circled the parts that looked most concerning to me, though I am still a bit worried that you'll be losing detail on several parts of your designs such as the mouth of the beetle even if it technically fits the specs. All of the sublegends look much too intricate to me still as well, so while I'm glad you seem to have your specs worked out, I wouldn't place any bets on them working. Consider reworking them just for clarity's sake, because even in the renders with clear "printing" they do not read super well from a distance and lose a lot of detail unless you zoom in.

I don't mean to sound harsh so forgive me if it comes across that way, I just don't want to see something like this trying something cool and new but having it turn out a bit scuffed because of manu limitations.

Show Image

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I will try to get some more close ups later 

For the circled parts, the slits in the eyes, osiris ears etc all have the 0.25mm spacing. The eyes of the mask of Tutankhamun is also greater than 0.6 mm.
The designs are intricate I know but the renders dont read well while zoomed in because of color bleed and Imgurs compression. Plus I can really post 4k high dpi pics in my IC ( it would never load).

In any case. I really appreaciate the feedback/ concern. At the end of the day its GMK who has to manufacture it and if it says it cant then we redesign and make the novelties compatible