Prepare

Years ago, during my time studying in Italy, most of my free hours were spent traveling. One of the most unforgettable stops was Cinque Terre, a small coastal village on the Mediterranean. The moment I arrived, it felt as if everyone there was an artist.

Homes were painted as living artworks—each building a unique color, perched on cliffs above the sea, stacked in a seemingly chaotic yet perfectly harmonious arrangement. The colors were bold, vibrant, full of personality, yet somehow balanced with the age and wear of the buildings.

Visiting in August, Italy was in full summer holiday mode. The Mediterranean sun caramelized every bit of exposed skin, beach chairs, fresh seafood, craft beer, watersports, art—it all blended into a feverishly joyful energy. From the young to the elderly, life seemed to be lived with exuberance: espresso shots without sugar were downed by the dozen. Even someone as lively as myself was astonished.

Years later, reality imposes its boundaries, but design allows me to dream. This keycap set is my tribute to that Italian summer, to the Mediterranean sun, and to the fire of passion I experienced there.

Research Behind the Split Kit

A friend in China, influenced by me, recently started building keyboards and often complained about keycap sets: “Why are there so many keys I’ll never use?”

As a veteran, I understand—different molds, regional layouts, and use habits mean that many users are left with extra keys after building a set. But for newcomers, with limited budgets and smaller layouts, discovering a design they love shouldn’t mean wasting money or space.

Could there be a way to offer just the keys you need, without forcing the full kit? After research, prototype testing, and discussions with manufacturers, we developed this Cinque Terre Split Kit, a first attempt to let users customize their set while preserving the integrity of the design.

Kitting

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The Keycap Design

Inspired by the vivid, stacked houses of Cinque Terre, the keycaps use bold, complementary colors to recreate the Mediterranean’s energy on your keyboard. Each kit, while modular, allows players to assemble a cohesive, visually striking layout even on smaller boards.

The design captures:

• Chaos and harmony: Mimicking the cliffside layout of the villages.

• Vibrancy and warmth: Mediterranean sun reflected in lively keycap tones.

• Flexibility: Split kit options let users customize based on their layout needs, honoring both veteran enthusiasts and newcomers.

Cinque Terre is more than a travel memory—it’s a lesson in boldness, balance, and joy. With this collaboration between Keykobo × Brainaha, we bring a slice of that summer, that coastal energy, and that artistic spirit directly to your desk.