TKD PT.1/75 - Keyboard Kit
Pt.1/75 by TKD
As mentioned earlier, the Cycle series has concluded. Now, it's time to introduce the next series from TKD, which will mark a brand-new chapter.
So, let us present this new project: a top-mounted, 75% layout keyboard—Pt.1/75.
Design Concept
The name of this new series consists of two parts: "Pt./Part" and a number (which indicates the order of the series) + the layout size. (To be honest, this naming convention was inspired by Keycult and Rama.)
This means that in addition to the 75% layout for Part1, there will be other layouts introduced later. These will be produced with a similar design concept and style.
The design of Pt.1 is inspired by early custom keyboards and the top-mount structure. Even though top-mount designs are no longer mainstream, there are still some excellent examples in today’s keyboard community.
Design Philosophy
TKD are passionate about clean, minimalist designs and enjoy refining the details within and outside the keyboard.
The bezel is one of the most important factors in defining its character. Even without decorative elements, the bezel design plays a key role!
For Pt.1, two key factors were used to design the front bezel:
1. The width of the left and right bezels aligns with the internal frame (horizontally).
2. The top and bottom bezels, F-row spacing, and arrow key section are harmonized.
Additionally, TKD eliminated rounded corners and connected the outer edges with continuous chamfers to give the 75% keyboard a more rigid, structured appearance. This creates a more serious, polished feel while reducing the impression of bulk often associated with this layout size.
The contour lines of the top and bottom cases connect, leaving a small gap. The side profile is created by combining the sloped surface of the bottom case (which is technically a 3D surface) with the flat surface of the top case. This results in a side design that feels solid and three-dimensional, giving the keyboard a more grounded appearance.
TKD added a large brass cover inside the bottom case of Pt.1. Below it, TKD left a hollow space filled with an internal stainless steel weight. Combined with the external stainless steel/brass weight on the bottom, this increases the overall weight of the keyboard while also refining the internal structure and optimizing the typing sound.
For Pt.1, we designed a separate USB port housing as an independent decorative piece made of brass. The surface is treated with a process, which complements the accents on the bottom and rear of the keyboard.
As with their previous designs, TKDs pursuit for this product is to maintain a simple and elegant appearance while delivering a high-quality typing experience. This is the direction TKD strive for and aspire to, hoping that users will enjoy typing even more through these keyboards.