comfort, shaped for different needs
Introducing komfi keys
Komfi Keys is an ISO-first keycap brand for mechanical keyboards, designed with Nordic keyboard users in mind. Many keycap sets in the mechanical keyboard community are designed primarily around American keyboard layouts, which often gives Nordic users fewer choices, missing legends, extra kits, or forces them to switch to a layout they are not used to.
The project explores how graphic design can make mechanical keyboards feel more approachable, while giving Nordic keyboard users access to more functional and expressive visual choices. By treating Nordic layouts as a starting point rather than an afterthought, the final solution brings together brand identity, keycap design, packaging, illustration, pattern, and artisan keycaps into one visual system.
The first keycap set, Komfi Cha, builds a soft visual world inspired by cha chaan teng, an informal Hong Kong diner culture known for everyday comfort, warmth, and the mix of Western and Chinese food culture.
Komfi Keys treats the keyboard as more than a functional tool, it is also a physical interface and a surface for personal expression.
Typeface
The type system uses Comfortaa, chosen for its rounded and open letterforms. Its soft character supports Komfi Keys’ focus on comfort and approachability, while still being clear enough for use on keycap legends.
The brand uses small caps to create a more consistent and structured voice, while keeping the expression softer than a more technical keyboard aesthetic. On the keycaps, typography had to balance personality with readability, since the legends also function as part of the keyboard’s physical interface.
Keycap design
The keycap system is divided into a base kit, novelty kit, and stripe kit. The base kit works as the functional foundation, with Nordic layout support, clear legends, and a calm colour balance.
The novelty kit adds illustrated keys for more storytelling, while the stripe kit gives users the option to add more warmth and personality. This lets users choose how much of the Komfi Cha world they want on their keyboard.
Illustration & pattern
The illustrations are based on small details from cha chaan teng, such as milk tea, pineapple bun, takeaway cups, and other everyday objects. They use simplified shapes and soft forms to match the friendly tone of the project.
The pattern is inspired by tiled interiors often found in cha chaan teng. It is used across packaging and supporting surfaces to build atmosphere without making the keycaps too visually busy.
tray
Packaging
The packaging is designed as part of the product experience, not just as a container. It protects the keycaps, organizes them, and can be reused for storage.
Each kit uses the same overall packaging structure, with small changes in colour, text, and details to make them easy to identify. The packaging also carries more of the Komfi Cha visual world through pattern, illustration, and tone of voice.
Artisan keycaps
The artisan keycaps are the most expressive part of the Komfi Cha system. They are based on specific cha chaan teng references: a booth seat, Hong Kong style milk tea, and pineapple bun.
These keycaps function more like small collectible objects than regular keys. They allow the concept to become more physical and detailed, while the main keycap set stays calm and functional.
supporting elements
Clickers and stickers were designed as supporting objects for the Komfi Cha world. Inspired by Hong Kong style milk tea, pineapple bun, and other cha chaan teng details, they extend the visual system beyond the keyboard and add a more playful, collectible layer to the project.
