Coming soon...

IBM vintage typeface Model M is coming soon.



The name of the game is spacing and contrast.

My type design book says "Usual typeface's capital letters' side bearings are always too narrow for successive capital letters. Because usual typeface doesn't care such usage." I've found Selectric's keycap's typography has careful and appropriate spacing for successive capital letters. I'm mimicking it, of course.

Vintage typeface

Have you ever seen this typeface?



This is IBM's doubleshot typeface. It isn't superior to Helvetica Round (IBM's dye-sub typeface) in most situation and aspect. But on ornamental keycaps (in other words, the user can live with otaku keyboard), it does better than Helvetica Round. My Selectric lacks some signs for PC keyboard, but I'll supplement them from the Internet.

For sure, I don't use this image as is. I'm making brushed outline font from this image.

I got an IBM Selectric II

I'll make a font from its keycaps. The typeface is better for keycap than Helvetica, which is used on Model M.

Plaster seems not enough for Model M

I've made Model M's keycap mount and tested.



And I've found a serious trouble. Keycap mount cracks. Model M's keycap is much taller than Cherry MX. Deeper hole causes crack. I'll try silicone.

The legend's size and position are not enough, too. :-)

Model M in progress

Keycap mount's masks. Laser cut stainless.

ESC keycap Road Sign of Kanagawa, Japan

Now new single keycap is on sale.



This road sign indicates that "closed in the event of major earthquake." The picture's fish is catfish. In Japan, there is a famous superstition that catfish forsees earthquake.

ESC keycap Pan Am

Now new single keycap is on sale.



In my childhood, airplane was special and privileged. Cabin attendant ('stewardess' in those days) was adorable career. I've gone a long way...