handmade, transparent keycaps in the form of retro TVs
Jelly Key releases a series of handmade, transparent keycaps shaped like retro TVs, taking design cues from the 1984 Apple Macintosh 128K. Dubbed the Art Toy x32 and x77, the collection is made of resin and all crafted by hand, from the smallest detail to pouring and casting. Inside each keycap, there are miniature parts that look like the components of an old computer or a small TV, including circuit boards, power units, capacitors, bulbs, and small wires. Each part is made separately using colored resin, and the wires and circuits are thin, with only 0.3 millimeters thick. After each layer is cast, the resin needs about 23 hours to cure completely, and once the base is ready, the outer TV shell is added, which takes another 24 hours to finish.
The result is a series of artisan-made transparent keycaps that revive the days of retro TV. The front of the piece has small design elements such as a floppy disk slot and a circular power switch, which are not functional but serve as recognizable visual cues from older computers. The screen area is tilted at a 65-degree angle, which makes it easier to see when it is placed on a keyboard or display surface. The back panel of the keycap is translucent so the user can see all the internal parts, especially when the keyboard glows. The transparent resin is polished by hand, and the design uses a harder type of resin to create clearer or more visible pieces per cap.
all images courtesy of Jelly Key
Finishes in crystal clear and frosted translucent
The outer case of the transparent keycaps shaped like a retro TV comes in five finishes: crystal clear, frosted translucent, tinted transparent, colored frosted, and vintage-toned. Each case can be combined with different screen designs, resulting in twelve possible versions. The design of the TV case is inspired by early personal computers, especially the Macintosh 128K from 1984, as the designer of the Art Toy series wanted to capture the feeling of early computer design and translate it into a miniature art object. The screen content of each keycap shows small digital scenes or messages. Some designs are carried over from earlier collections, such as ‘How Are You,’ ‘I Am Great,’ ‘Milky Way Greetings,’ and ‘From the Other Side.’ New designs include ‘Space Odyssey,’ ‘HAL Eye,’ ‘Galactic Intro,’ and ‘First Lander.’ Each one represents a small visual story related to space or technology.
To make the screen, the process starts with casting the picture tube bulb. Then, the tiny characters and elements are placed inside the bulb before a layer of clear resin is poured to make the curved screen surface. Once the resin is hardened, the surface is sanded and polished before being assembled into the case. The entire process is repeated for each individual piece. The assembly process combines all parts together. The screen is attached to the front of the case, and the miniature circuit and internal components are placed behind it. Wires connect the screen to the base, and every connection must be exact since all pieces must fit without gaps. The transparent back panel is fixed last, sealing the TV completely. Before it is closed, each part is cleaned to remove dust since any small particle can be seen through the clear resin, making the retro TV-shaped transparent keycaps a record of craftsmanship.
Jelly Key releases a series of handmade, transparent keycaps shaped like retro TVs
the design takes design cues from the 1984 Apple Macintosh 128K
the collection is made of resin and all crafted by hand
inside each keycap, there are miniature parts that look like the components of an old computer or a small TV
each part is made separately using colored resin
the screen area is tilted at a 65-degree angle
the transparent resin is polished by hand
the back panel of the keycap is translucent so the user can see all the internal parts
there are five finishes available for the series
project info:
name: Retro TV series: First Frame artisan keycaps
company: Jelly Key | @jelly.key
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