Rough sketch of a new idea, what do you think?

No one saying anything bunp:)

Shift as in 'shape shift'?

Hmmm a bit tenuous as it stands, Perhaps if it was beginning to grow some hair?

TENUOUS! How dare you!

Yeah, maybe your right.

I did tremble a bit when I wrote that word. I'd be interested in seeing a half hairy version though.

A 1000 apologies.

LOL

Another one "Esc Artist"

esc artist is funny

hahaha great stuff! love esc artist!

Thanks, guys, I think esc artist is worth finishing.

haha, love the esc one, even though i know I've seen that concept on maybe shirt.woot? It was the same idea, and esc key locked in a Houdini water tank :((((



Not feeling shift as much, maybe if it was starting to turn into a werewolf and get all hairy?

Keep looking at that keyboard in front of you and dreaming up awesome ideas man!

looks like escape has already been done and shift isn't working. back to the keyboard!

Thanks FA

What about doing a group of a few escape stunts and call it Great Escapes? Either that or combine you ideas to one of the kind of designs that has several related things. Here's a couple, the "alt" key as a hipster, "command" as a dominatrix...

Those are really good thoughts q-b-f.

I just might do both of those.

More key idea fun

bump

ESC key should be bigger/larger than the other keys, sort of Michael Clarke Duncan in the Green Mile

I think you mean make the delete key bigger, no?

yes

New comp posted

Ha, I like the new one. With the brains and the brawn chasing esc. I think I'd kind of like to see some faces on the keys, but I might be the minority. I'd definitely work this version.

Thanks dude, I'm working on it. I'm not sure about the faces, but I might try it to see what it looks like.

Yeah, they definitely work as they are, so I wouldn't add faces just for the sake of it, if they don't look right.

I like the top version a lot! I dig the retro style and also the composition/style is much better than the version below. I also prefer them without the faces.

My only suggestions:

- a bit of texture might be nice?

- I would lose the dollar sign that the escape key is holding, it's unnecessary and looks kind of awkward. There's no need to explain why the escape key is escaping, because it's an escape key!

- I'm still not positive you even need the command key. I admit mine was too simple and I didn't push the concept enough, but I might prefer the simplicity of just the delete key chasing the escape key.

top versssshhh

actually, i changed my mind, think the command key is cool and adds something to it, but would still lose the $ sign.

Also changed my mine about the texture, I really like the clean look of this and it would print well.

Thanks guys.

@igo2cairo I agree about the dollar sign, I think I will get rid of it.
I like the cleaner style as well, but I still feel like it needs
something more.

You could maybe try introducing some texture, but I wouldn't be able to say for sure unless I saw it.

One more thing - I think maybe you should reverse it and make the keys a lighter colour and the words darker, because when thinking of a classic keyboard colour white or beige come to mind. This might provide better contrast with the darker grey background too.

i also find the heart tattoo a bit of a distraction, not sure if you need it.

I did a quick mock-up without the dollar sign and heart tattoo and added a bit of subtle texture. Actually, I think it looks nice with with texture, gives it even more of a retro look.

disregard what I said about making the keys lighter though, think this looks great as is.

Thanks Terry, I really like what you did with it. The textures look great.

I had already worked up a version in a different color palette
with light keys. I might have try a few different versions with the texture treatment you suggested.

Thanks again.

I like it with the faces actually and the dollar sign (but put it on a computer key)...maybe even have the exclamation point on a key as well, with the command key holding it above his head with one hand and the other hand as is, pointing at the esc key.

Feel free to ignore these ramblings, awesome stuff peeps.

Those are some good suggestions Evan. If I add all of them it might make it over complicated, but it's worth a shot.

I think if the escape key is holding the dollar sign key it will make more sense then how I first had it.

Thanks.

Thanks Ian, glad you dig the mock.

I have to be honest though. I would wear the faceless version and it seriously looks like a possible print to me (and makes me regret not taking your collab offer), but this new version, probably not. You did a very competent job with rendering the faces, but still think the faceless version looks much better stylistically.

The faces somehow cheapen the look of design for me, but I know that's very subjective and based on my own aesthetic. I'm also not a fan of the colour, think black and white really suits the retro feel of the design and is a little more sophisticated.

I like the lighter keys, but one concern is the lighter texture on darker keys might look better than the reverse, which might just make the keys look dirty, but I would have to see it to be sure.

If you notice I also got rid of the scar on the delete key in the mock because again, I just thought it wasn't necessary and a bit distracting. However if you're going to keep the scar you should add back the heart tattoo as well because it gives the scar more context.

But please don't add back that $ sign, that's one thing I'm sure of!

Thanks Terry. I think for the first go round of this sub, I will take your advice and sub it without faces in black and white + texture.

What does Terry know anyways????? The man is so face-happy with his burgers and computer keys lately! he doesn't know FWF from a unicorn testicle!!!! :p

Looking forward to this in whatever version you choose to do it in!

Thanks guys, stay tuned.

New comps, posted, which is best so far? 1,2, or 3?

bump for thoughts

I actually like the version with faces best.

Faces version with texture #2 is my vote.

# 2

Sorry, I posted a fresh 3. I'm going without the faces for this one.

Love it, and I'm not sure I can see the difference but I'm on my phone and number 2 looks great to me!

Thanks Nathan

So the difference is

1. The darkest grey is much darker

2. The the dark grey is a lighter

3. The background is a bit different.

ha ha it looks like I'm out-voted Ian.

You know, I tend to have strong opinions about things, but based on my skinny stats these days I may not be the best person to listen to and I'm starting to doubt myself.

Myteemo has really good instincts when it comes to this kind of thing and I often take her advice. Evan also has his finger on the pulse of what people like and he's got a good point, I've been putting faces on everything and anything lately so I should be the last person who is anti-face!

Once I pick one of these 3, I'll do one with faces and one without and take a vote.

I think I am going for #1 cause I like the darker outlines and that background the best. Do you agree Terry?

Think I kind of prefer the softer look of #2, but they are so close that either one would be fine. Maybe the darker lines on #1 would read better when printed.