WS Dream Skyliner
Not long after stepping into adulthood and landing my first job, I discovered my love for solo traveling. Honestly, before that, I never thought of myself as someone who could wander around aimlessly, picking up inspiration or purpose from the journey itself.
But over time, randomness, serendipity, and those unexpected little surprises became things I started to cherish. Figuring out how to embrace them has been a key theme for me ever since.
Anyway, back to the point—this design was born out of one of those serendipitous moments. Exploring without a clear goal and discovering whatever comes my way has always been something I enjoy doing.
This year, for my birthday, I treated myself to a “名古屋散策（なごやさんさく）”—a casual stroll through Nagoya. I’d already visited Tokyo and Osaka during my first two trips to Japan, and with the revival of global tourism, big international cities are now swarming with visitors.
That’s where Nagoya came in—often labeled as the “most boring” of Japan’s three major metropolitan areas. To me, it was perfect: no set agenda, just a city to wander around.
Right after landing at Chubu Centrair International Airport, I was drawn to FLIGHT OF DREAMS, an aviation-themed park. It’s home to Boeing’s 787 prototype, displayed for visitors to explore. You can even step inside the cockpit area and take a closer look, surrounded by detailed exhibits about its history and development.
As someone who used to think of airplanes as just a means of transportation, I found myself unexpectedly captivated by the sheer presence of this massive machine.
With the retirement of giants like the Boeing 747 and Airbus A380 in this new era, models like the Boeing 787 and Airbus A350 have taken the spotlight as the longest-range twin-engine aircraft.
The trends of modern aviation are fascinating: improved fuel efficiency, airframes crafted from carbon-fiber composites, and distinctive features like the sleek U-shaped, supercritical wings that almost seem to smile at you.
Even after leaving, the elegant blue-and-white lines of the prototype lingered in my mind. I couldn’t shake the thought of turning what I’d learned from this trip into a keycap set design—just like how riding the Yamanote Line during my Tokyo visit inspired me back then.
Keycap Design
(Please note that the rendering is based on a separate kit, but it will be sold as AIO.)
The main inspiration for this keycap set comes from the livery of the prototype aircraft.
The diagonal arrangement reflects the body of the plane and evokes the shape of its wings—this bold design choice feels essential to me. It’s a bit daring, but I believe it’s a must for capturing the essence of the theme.
Like my previous Yamanote Line set, I incorporated aviation terminology and systems into the keyboard’s functional keys. For example:
⦁ The base kit is called the "Primary Control Zone," while supplementary keys are the "Auxiliary Control Zone."
⦁ Specific keys are renamed to reflect aviation components: Tab becomes
HUD (Heads-Up Display), Ctrl is now
MCP (Main Control Panel), and Alt transforms into
APU (Auxiliary Power Unit).
For the editing keys, I initially followed a similar approach by associating them with relevant aviation terms. However, after reviewing the manuals, I noticed that the Boeing 787’s bottom control panel also features a 2x3 button arrangement. So, I incorporated this layout directly to enhance the tactile and thematic experience.
The numpad is labeled
FMS (Flight Management System), a nod to its function in flight management, similar to how we often use calculators. The Enter key on the numpad mirrors the vertical arrangement of the Lower MFD’s Enter button on the aircraft for added authenticity.
Of course, for those who prefer a more traditional approach to keyboard functionality, I plan to include an updated kit in the future that restores the editing keys to their original labels.
For the font, I selected a typeface similar to the one used on the aircraft body. It looks surprisingly sharp on the keycaps, and I’m especially fond of the design of the "Q." (It’s open-source, which is a nice bonus!)
Lastly, at Wuque’s suggestion, I added a touch of personality with some small graphical elements. While I initially leaned towards minimal visuals and professional terminology for a more polished and focused look, I decided to include optional icons inspired by airplanes and airport signage to add a playful touch. Whether these additions truly live up to the quality standards I’m aiming for is open to interpretation, but I hope they make the design more engaging. Feel free to use them or stick to the cleaner look—your choice!
Please note that the design of the layout is still in the works, and I need your help to remind me to add any kits you want or missing keycap positions that should add. Below is a summary graphic for a quick overview. 【Lazy person’s guide: everything summed up in one image below.】
Visual Design
Who hasn’t dreamed of becoming a flight attendant at some point as a kid?
For this project, I took inspiration from ANA’s (All Nippon Airways) flight attendant uniforms and adapted their elegant design into this blue-and-white theme. As always, I’m incredibly grateful to Yashui for contributing the illustrations for this set—it’s an honor to collaborate with such a talented artist.
As a little Easter egg, similar to the IC card surprise from my previous set, this time I’ve prepared a boarding pass-themed thank-you card for everyone who supports the project. While it doesn’t have any practical functionality, I hope it brings a spark of joy and the excitement of travel when you open the box.
The boarding pass itself hides a few fun details—little Easter eggs for you to discover when it arrives. Consider it a small way to make the experience more memorable.
As for production, I’m planning to work with Wuque Studio again. They’ve proven reliable in faithfully reproducing colors with their dye-sublimation process. Once we have prototypes ready, I’ll make sure to share some mounted photos for everyone to check out.
For now, let’s call this an advanced IC. Whether this idea makes it to GB depends entirely on your interest and feedback. If it doesn’t resonate, I’ll treat it as a personal milestone—proof that I once had this concept in mind.
Thanks for taking the time to read, and maybe we’ll meet again on the next project!
