Let me share a secret about designing artisan keycaps: Silhouette is everything.
Still skeptical? Take a look at the image below-do you recognize which colorway is the oldest and which one is the newest?
At Artkey, we've always pushed the boundaries of innovation. In the beginning, this meant crafting new sculpts-unique characters with an easily recognizable silhouette.
While it wasn't part of the original plan, a small detail became the foundation of something much bigger: The Visor
Here's the answer: Sirius, alongside with Exmor, was created by Capupu, our artist, back in 2020.
Both designs were inspired by the astronaut concept-Exmor representing the helmet itself, while Sirius was a whimsical little dog on a space adventure.
It was only meant to be a simple release, but little did Capupu know, Sirius would mark the start of a new design philosophy that propels Artkey beyond the horizon.
At first, Capupu kept things simple by focusing on enhancing the clear visor with subtle effects - such as marble effects that blended colored and clear resin, creating a smoky, ethereal look.
This was the foundation of Sirius' early colorways, and for a while, it felt like the pinnacle of visor design - a fresh approach that quickly became a hit!
As 2020 progressed, the visor concept proved to be a game-changer. Capupu saw its potential as more than just a design element - it was a canvas for artistic expression.
This led him to refine and expand the idea, introducing more sculpts with clear resin visors that carried the same philosophy.
But as techniques and technology evolved, so did Capupu's creative ambitions. Everyone wanted to push the visor beyond its initial limits-still keeping its core identity but exploring new possibilities.
"It's time to go beyond the astronaut visor"
- Capupu -
We knew there was more to explore. But how?
At first, Capupu only started by experimenting with simple effects, such as creating layers or gradients within the visor, or using metal powders to add glossy finishes.
But surely, there must be more we can do, right?
We finally got the answer in October 2020.
With his magic touch, Capupu introduced a bold new direction with the Halowirius raffle.
Swapping the astronaut helmet for a whimsical pumpkin marked the turning point in our design philosophy.
This design was the moment we broke free from the constraints of the traditional dome-shaped visor, opening up endless possibilities for new shapes, styles, and artistic expression.
"I found out that there was more to the visor than we thought!"
- Capupu -
Following the success of the Halowirius design, Capupu continued to refine the visor concept. While the classic astronaut visor remained a staple, he began incorporating new materials and textures.
The result? A lineup of bold, unexpected designs - intricate masks with magnets, crowns adorned with gems, eerie eyeball effects, and even sculpted, face-like visors - each pushing the boundaries of what a visor could be.
By 2022, each new incarnation of Sirius felt like a brand new sculpt-no longer just a visor, but an entire identity shift.
From astronaut helmets to battle helms, ornate masks, and even monstrous faces, Sirius was stepping into a new era.
As of this writing, Sirius has achieved an incredible milestone - reaching more than 340 unique colorways!
This also means that Sirius's visor collection now includes over 100 designs!
Today, Artkey continues to evolve, always pushing the boundaries of what's possible in keycap design. Sirius, alongside his comrades, were once defined by their sleek helmet, now embraces an ever-changing identity, adapting to new artistic visions with each iteration.
We hope this journey through the evolution of our signature visor gives you a deeper appreciation for the creative process behind Artkey Universe. And who knows? Maybe one day, we'll take things even further - with an entirely new sculpt that continues the legacy of innovation.
Let me share a secret about designing artisan keycaps: Silhouette is everything.
Still skeptical? Take a look at the image below-do you recognize which colorway is the oldest and which one is the newest?
At Artkey, we've always pushed the boundaries of innovation. In the beginning, this meant crafting new sculpts-unique characters with an easily recognizable silhouette.
While it wasn't part of the original plan, a small detail became the foundation of something much bigger: The Visor
Here's the answer: Sirius, alongside with Exmor, was created by Capupu, our artist, back in 2020.
Both designs were inspired by the astronaut concept-Exmor representing the helmet itself, while Sirius was a whimsical little dog on a space adventure.
It was only meant to be a simple release, but little did Capupu know, Sirius would mark the start of a new design philosophy that propels Artkey beyond the horizon.
At first, Capupu kept things simple by focusing on enhancing the clear visor with subtle effects - such as marble effects that blended colored and clear resin, creating a smoky, ethereal look.
This was the foundation of Sirius' early colorways, and for a while, it felt like the pinnacle of visor design - a fresh approach that quickly became a hit!
As 2020 progressed, the visor concept proved to be a game-changer. Capupu saw its potential as more than just a design element - it was a canvas for artistic expression.
This led him to refine and expand the idea, introducing more sculpts with clear resin visors that carried the same philosophy.
But as techniques and technology evolved, so did Capupu's creative ambitions. Everyone wanted to push the visor beyond its initial limits-still keeping its core identity but exploring new possibilities.
"It's time to go beyond the astronaut visor"
- Capupu -
We knew there was more to explore. But how?
At first, Capupu only started by experimenting with simple effects, such as creating layers or gradients within the visor, or using metal powders to add glossy finishes.
But surely, there must be more we can do, right?
We finally got the answer in October 2020.
With his magic touch, Capupu introduced a bold new direction with the Halowirius raffle.
Swapping the astronaut helmet for a whimsical pumpkin marked the turning point in our design philosophy.
This design was the moment we broke free from the constraints of the traditional dome-shaped visor, opening up endless possibilities for new shapes, styles, and artistic expression.
"I found out that there was more to the visor than we thought!"
- Capupu -
Following the success of the Halowirius design, Capupu continued to refine the visor concept. While the classic astronaut visor remained a staple, he began incorporating new materials and textures.
The result? A lineup of bold, unexpected designs - intricate masks with magnets, crowns adorned with gems, eerie eyeball effects, and even sculpted, face-like visors - each pushing the boundaries of what a visor could be.
By 2022, each new incarnation of Sirius felt like a brand new sculpt-no longer just a visor, but an entire identity shift.
From astronaut helmets to battle helms, ornate masks, and even monstrous faces, Sirius was stepping into a new era.
As of this writing, Sirius has achieved an incredible milestone - reaching more than 340 unique colorways!
This also means that Sirius's visor collection now includes over 100 designs!
Today, Artkey continues to evolve, always pushing the boundaries of what's possible in keycap design. Sirius, alongside his comrades, were once defined by their sleek helmet, now embraces an ever-changing identity, adapting to new artistic visions with each iteration.
We hope this journey through the evolution of our signature visor gives you a deeper appreciation for the creative process behind Artkey Universe. And who knows? Maybe one day, we'll take things even further - with an entirely new sculpt that continues the legacy of innovation.
