Bringing a Product to Market – How I Designed Custom Keycaps

Learn the process of how designed my first keycap set. Thanks to Notion for sponsoring this video.

▬▬▬▬ Video Overview ▬▬▬▬
If you’re like me and have fallen deep into custom mechanical keyboards, you might have thought about designing your own keycap set. As a designer and keyboard enthusiast, I've wanted to bring a few of my ideas to life but didn't know where to start. After some research and consulting with designers and vendors, I eventually figured it out.

In this video, I share my process for designing my first GMK keycap set, Modern Materials. I'll share the steps I take to come up with my idea, the pitch to potential partners, finding the manufacturer and vendors to work with, and the sales and marketing process.

I also cover the design process, coming up with a brand and visual design system, and how I use the Pantone catalog to select the colors for my product.

▬▬▬▬ Links & Resources ▬▬▬▬
Using some of the links below, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. This is the easiest way to support me and helps me continue making content like this for you. Thank you 🙏

👀 Items featured in the video
*use code MODMUSINGS for 10% off

▬▬▬▬ Video Chapters ▬▬▬▬
0:00 – Why design keycaps?
0:35 – The custom mechanical keyboard ecosystem
1:02 – Coming up with a concept and selecting colors
2:20 – How to pitch an idea for a product
3:25 – Choosing a manufacturer and vendor
4:43 – Finalizing keycap kitting
6:02 – Creating 3D product renders for marketing
6:39 – Designing a brand, visual design system, and key art
7:43 – Designing product packaging
8:05 – Creating a project hub in Notion
9:16 – Product launch: GMK CYL Modern Materials

▬▬▬▬ Follow for more ▬▬▬▬

▬▬▬▬▬ Credits ▬▬▬▬▬
Created by Matthew Encina
© 2024 Mod Musings, Inc.

Thanks to @TaehaTypes for providing the NovelKeys and GMK footage. Check out his channel for more content related to the world of custom mechanical keyboards.

#ProductDesign #MechanicalKeyboard #industrialdesign #modmusings #matthewencina #desksetup #designprocess

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DISCLAIMERS:

[MatthewEncina]

Thanks to Notion for sponsoring this video.

[DrayWilliams]

The ability to not only build the product but document the process so well too is impressive

[corgikun]

Geez, at this rate you're becoming one of my most influential designers. Just by watching the video I already feel like a better designer. Great work on showing all this! Extremely valuable!

[Somatisandro]

My man just made a product, from scratch to launch, pitch the project, talked to manufacturers and brands, marketed it, and documented all the process just to have a keyboard that matches his home.
Mad. Respect.

[TaehaTypes]

This was such a great introduction for anyone looking to run a keycap set GB! Thank you for the feature <3

[bradyvilhauer]

This is freaking dope dude. Keep creating. This is so inspirational and fun. My buddy literally fell in love with your keycaps, not realizing who designed them. I was like ‘bro remember the dude with the greatest office of all time?? This is his keycap set.’
We were like no flipping way.
I love the look of the print-your-own-paper keys, without anything inside them. So dope!

[Anuragvisualss]

The fact that you not only build a aesthetic modern looking keyboard but also it represent your studio is so amazing

[RobertHighwind]

Your thoughts process, work flow, and execution is truly inspirational.

[kuro-shimai]

All the products feel premium in every way. Glad to have the opportunity to watch and learn about the overall process.

[dodifferent_co]

Great packaging insights and thought process. Taking note 📝

Color matching the key caps to the swatches was SO satisfying

[bendurack]

So nice to see this so brilliantly documented! Your ability to storytell is captivating. No underestimating the time you clearly put into this alongside the project itself!

[MrSkullhead]

So cool how just a couple years ago you were posting about this little world you discovered of custom mechanical keyboards. Now you’re making one of the most unique sets that would be a staple in a custom enthusiast lineup of Keycaps. That is true passion and very much inspires me, nice work Matt! ❤

[THEMAVERICKPODACST_UG]

I could watch your channel all day long Mathew, another great piece, learning a thing or two from your processes, purely insightful . 🇺🇬

[MarioVelezBThinkin]

This is one of the best videos I have ever seen in my life. What a fantastic run down on getting in and making something people are enthusiastic about. Thank you for making this.

[Bhaswati]

I've been following your videos for quite some time now. There's always something fresh to discover. Moreover, the soothing narration and unhurried pace of the videos create a unique atmosphere.

[lauro.dominici]

You have been such a huge inspiration to start my own channel especially in the creation of my "Home Office Makeover".

My gratitude towards you and your way to inspire people will never be enough!🙏

[MatthewWHeintz]

Excited to start writing with one of these keyboards one day! I'm curious, did you create a web site with notion or did you use a different tool such as square space? Either way, I'm super impressed with your process, approach and style. It's always a treat to get the notification that you've released a new video. Thanks Matthew!

[josephhettrel]

The level of this BTS is just mind blowing. I love your style so much, it stands out and the quality is so so high. Really inspiring!

[tatianebarros]

I’m SO impacted by this video! I’ve never seen a video with this much value, beauty and knowledge. It’s a masterclass! I learned a lot! Thank you!

[Phemmy]

inspiring as always. excellent shot at 5:05