Projects
Simple 75 • Mechanical Keyboard
Early Concepts
SEP 2023
It all started back in September 2023. By then, I was already deep into the mechanical keyboard rabbit hole—testing switches, obsessing over case materials, scrolling through endless group buys. But no matter how many boards I tried, I could never find one that truly gave me everything I wanted.
That’s when I asked myself: What if I made my own?
With zero experience in industrial design, I dove headfirst into Fusion 360. At first, I was just experimenting with simple shapes, learning the software, and getting a feel for 3D modeling. Eventually, I got my first 3D printer and started iterating. One prototype at a time, things slowly came together—and Simple 75 began to take form.
I called it Simple 75 because that was the entire vision: to create something clean, functional, and complete—without unnecessary complexity. A keyboard that has the balance between functionality and a good design.
The custom keyboard space can get overwhelming fast. Weird layouts, complicated builds and way too overpriced.
I wanted to go in the opposite direction. I wanted clarity—something that just works, and works well.
One of my favorite features on the board is the programmable volume wheel. Implementing it into an aluminum keyboard wasn’t easy—and we didn’t stop at just making it spin. We added a press function, which meant designing an entirely separate PCB just for the wheel. It took some engineering, but it was worth it.
Looking back, I didn’t start with a business plan or even a product roadmap. I just had a clear idea of what I wanted in a keyboard—and a drive to build it myself.
That idea became Simple 75. And now, it’s real.
First Working Prototypes & 3D Printing
JAN 2024
By January 2024, things started to feel real. The design was defined, and it was time to bring Simple 75 to life. Thanks to my past experience with 3D printers—both resin and FDM—I had a good idea of how to start building the first functional prototypes myself.
After going over every detail and confirming revisions with my small team, I began ordering sample units: custom PCBs, foams, custom-length FFC cables, and other components. These parts weren’t cheap, so there was very little room for error.
One of the most challenging aspects of the project was designing and configuring the PCB system. Simple 75 doesn’t just use one PCB—it uses three. Making sure they worked seamlessly together was no small task. But through late-night calls between Texas and Sri Lanka, our remote team pulled it off together and created all required schematics and firmware.
While waiting for production parts to arrive, I went all in on 3D printing everything I could at home. My ELEGOO Saturn 8K resin printer became my best friend, it handled the tiny, high-precision components beautifully. The level of detail I could achieve at home was honestly kind of mind blowing.
But printing the full keyboard case was a different story. My small FDM printer just wasn’t cutting it. Misalignments, failed prints—after a dozen frustrating attempts, I turned to professional 3D printing services like JLCPCB. Their results were excellent, but outsourcing meant I lost the flexibility of making real-time adjustments at home.
That’s when I decided to invest in a Bambu Lab A1 Mini. It completely changed the game. With its speed and accuracy, I could prototype much faster and with way more confidence. What used to take days now took hours.
Building Shopify Website
JUN 2024
The first version of the Astro website launched in 2023—but it was pretty far from what you see today. Back then, the goal was simple: promote and sell a few custom keycaps and mouse pads. I used one of Shopify’s standard templates, but it never really captured the brand identity I had in mind.
At one point, I started hiring Shopify developers to help me customize the site. But the process was slow, expensive, and limiting. Every little change required back and forth emails, manual edits in code, and a ton of waiting. It was frustrating. I wanted to build something I could actually shape myself—something flexible and truly mine.
That’s when I started exploring alternatives.
I jumped into Figma and began sketching out my vision. It was the perfect tool for understanding how modern websites are structured—layouts, spacing, visual hierarchy. I loved using it. But once the design was done, I hit a wall: how do I bring this to life on Shopify?
That’s when I discovered an app for Shopify called Instant. It felt like the missing piece. Think of it like Figma or Framer, but directly connected to your Shopify store.
No dev team. No code. Just a clear vision—and the right tools to make it happen.
Neat.
Visit website: astro-keys.com
Final Product & Launch
JUN 2025
This project started as a personal project and quickly became a full design journey. From learning Fusion 360 and PCB design to sourcing parts and building a custom Shopify website, I’ve grown alongside the product itself. Now, the keyboard is finalized and we’re preparing for mass production, working with different vendors around the world to make Simple 75 available globally.
The keyboard main features includes:
75% compact layout
Programmable Volume Wheel with Action Button
Soft, responsive Gasket Mount system
6 swappable plate options (different sound & feel)
2 PCB choices: Hot-Swap and Hybrid (semi-custom soldered)
Quick Stabilizer Swap feature
Pre-installed & Lubed Gateron Stabilizers
This is a barebone kit—giving you the freedom to choose switches and keycaps for your taste.
Starting at $249, it’s a tool built for enthusiasts who want more than just a nice keyboard—they want one that feels essential.
We’re also excited to collaborate with content creators and builders who want to showcase Simple 75 in their own unique way.
And lastly, a huge thank you to everyone who participated in this project!
This is Simple 75.
Learn more at: astro-keys.com
