Design Brief

Authored by:

  • Alvin To
  • Muhammad Naeem

Following are the area we would be covering to build this product and make it ready for the user testing:

Table of Contents

Product Overview

Scope of product

The rising focus on healthy typing techniques worldwide is expected to impact the keyboard marketplace. Riven keyboard is a project with unique design and features.

  • RGB Lights
  • Doubleshot PBT keycaps
  • Patented Ergonomic curvature - compatible with OEM choc keycaps
  • High quality PBT plastic (both keycaps and keyboard)
  • Energy saving features (proximity sensor to dim/turn off backlight when not in use)
  • Web based configurator
  • Wired / wireless supported
  • Downward sloping (wrist ergonomics)
  • Configuration is compatible on most devices included iOS and Android

Audience

Riven keyboard users are mostly gamers and professionals. They are interested in modern, efficient keyboards. Few of them are health conscious with the use of flat keyboards.

Gamers              -        Age:20-32 (60%)
Professionals       -        Age:20-45 (40%)

Problem Statement

  • Keyboard design esthetics challenge
  • Low performance and slow response specially for the gaming users
  • Health conscious designs for the professionals
  • Uncomfortable
  • Short life span
  • Configuration is often not explored because installation of new applications is often avoided unless necessary

User Research

Demographics

Following are two persona examples of Riven’s ideal target client.

Gamers        - Age:20-32 (60%)
Professionals - Age:33-45 (40%)

Barriers(problems of the app users)

Following is the list of barriers or pain points keyboard users are currently facing based on the above demographics.

  • Professional users are health conscious as they spend a lot of time using the keyboard.
  • Low quality keyboards - short life span
  • For some users luxury keyboard are out of range - costly
  • Fingers / hands doesn’t fit well on the flat keyboards

Goals / Drivers

Goals are focused on the demographics feedback and what users want to achieve from the product.

  • To overcome the challenge of costly price constraint need put a discount section which attract the users
  • Professional are willing to pay high for the luxury keyboard
  • They want to see reviews / communicate with their peers before they go to buy the

Hooks

Hooks are selling points for any brand.

  • Highlight the benefits of owning the Riven keyboard
  • Demonstrate the results of using the Riven keyboard maybe case studies / testimonials section
  • To overcome the challenge of costly price constraint need put a discount section which attract the users
  • Aesthetics challenges on the website / bad use of imagery
  • Less copy more imagery
  • Selling point (USPs): wireless, affordable price, low learning curve, ergonomic, Downward curved (comfort for the professionals).
  • Is it possible we can put a general comparison chart of our product vs others on our website?
  • Display the most powerful feature in the Hero Banner. For which customers are interested and waiting for the launch.
  • High level interactions on the page when the user scrolls down. Best examples are: Apple, Oneplus etc…
Product Release Schedule
  • Q4 2021 - Riven Core™️
- Unibody non-split, non-rgb
  - Q1 2022 - Riven Core RGB

- Unibody non-split, with RGB lighting
  - Q3 2022 - Riven Standard

- Split, non-rgb
  - Q4 2022 - Riven Standard RGB

- Split, with RGB lighting

Partnerships We have a partnership with Kailh, a reputable electronics company that manufactures popular mechanical keyboard switches. http://www.kailh.com

We developed a hybrid-clicky switch, which provides more haptic feedback than the tactile switches similar to the clicky Choc switches, but with reduced sound.

Inspiration of the Brand

Take a look at our design journal over the last year https://doc.clickup.com/p/h/88t65-182/19faf3b1aac565d

Keycap Colorways

The base models will come with standard black keycaps. We will also offer a variety of keycap colorways. Each colorway will come in two SKU options:

  1. Standard (perfect for Riven)
  2. Extended (additional keys that would also be suitable for other keyboards)
SKU List

Feel free to explore as you please.

Design Inspirations

Much of the designs actually came from cars. The features developed took inspiration from Porsche. Whether you are an enthusiast or not, Porsche is known to provide features you didn’t know you needed, but wouldn’t be able to live without after you try.

Secondly, the second inspiration is less exciting: Apple. Apple products are the pinnacle of hardware design. I don’t think much explanation is needed here.

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