A statement of purpose
Hope was conceived as an exercise in deliberate design, the first creation of the Forma collection and a reflection of its guiding principles: clarity, precision, and balance. Every decision, from form to detail, is guided by intention rather than novelty, distilling design to its essential elements while honouring tradition. Relentless refinement guided Hope’s evolution, through countless adjustments until every angle, line, and surface felt resolved. To ensure the board expresses its true character, testing was conducted exclusively with 4 mm travel switches, manufactured by Cherry, as long-pole alternatives can be misleading—masking subtle flaws that would otherwise be revealed. Machined with precision on a 5-axis CNC, every aspect of the enclosure stands as a testament to an uncompromising pursuit of perfection.
Form and silhouette
The exterior design is deliberately restrained, a quiet homage to the original TKLs that shaped the mechanical keyboard hobby. Its form is classic and measured, yet infused with subtle contemporary refinements, with a front height of approximately 17.85 mm and a considered typing angle of roughly 8°, striking a balance between comfort and visual poise.
Across the top surface, a gentle arc appears, almost imperceptible to the casual eye, softening the visual plane and lending the board an elegant profile. Mirroring the gaps between key clusters, the side bezels produce a harmonious rhythm that never draws attention to itself.
Deliberate intent guided the introduction of the enclosure seam. Alongside the acoustic qualities often associated with seamed designs, it allowed for the use of larger fasteners within the case’s restrained proportions. This decision made way for M3 screws, lending the enclosure greater durability and longevity, while gently mitigating the risk of wear or thread stripping over time.
Taking inspiration from the Kepler designs, the curves on the bottom enclosure have been refined and reinterpreted to give Hope a singular character. A small step at the base, inspired by the HHKB Professional HG, sits as a purely aesthetic detail, reflecting the deliberation behind every line.
Dominating the silhouette, the rear slope shapes the entire profile of the enclosure—distinctive, daring, yet entirely harmonious. Along the slope, the fasteners are intentionally left proud, subtly protruding from the surface rather than being concealed. This was a deliberate choice: a belief that hardware should be embraced, not hidden. The exposed screws become part of the visual language of the enclosure, presenting a bold and unapologetic expression of construction—honest, confident, and distinct.
Recessed within the form, the weight is never flush with the exterior, creating subtle depth and layering while protecting your weight from contacting your desk.
Within the enclosure
Every element of Hope’s interior has been crafted with equal intentionality and precision. The seven-point top mount system is a familiar style cherished by many, providing a solid and reliable foundation. Designed to be stiff and resolute, the mounting system is optimised for carbon fibre and aluminium switch plates, while a polycarbonate option is offered for those seeking a subtly softer typing experience.
The switch plate design draws from multiple chapters of the hobby’s history. Mounting point locations closely resemble those found on Jane switch plates, while the form of the mounting points echoes OTD designs, a subtle nod to some of the most revered boards ever produced. A deliberate cutout positioned between the navigation cluster and the arrow keys pays homage to the early TKLs that defined the hobby’s foundations, introducing a distinct acoustic signature that gives the up arrow a confident, unmistakable presence. This language continues into the spacebar region, where further cutouts contribute to a similarly pronounced and deliberate spacebar character.
Compatibility with aftermarket PCBs was thoughtfully considered, with Hope designed to support the H87 standard footprint. To ensure proper fit, the board requires a PCB with an onboard USB-C on the top side, no JST port (to prevent bottoming out), and a north-facing spacebar stabiliser. While engineered around this format, Hope’s tightly machined tolerances mean perfect fitment with aftermarket components cannot be guaranteed, making it advisable to use parts crafted specifically for the board.
For screw-in stabilisers, the use of stoppers is not recommended. Hope was intentionally designed to remain tight and raw—a subtle nod to the classic customs of the hobby—allowing the board to deliver a consistently purposeful and considered experience. Likewise, the use of Mill-Max sockets on the solder PCB is discouraged; their added height causes the PCB to sit lower, which, given Hope’s tightly controlled internal clearances, may result in unwanted bottoming out.
Acoustic intent
The goal was clear from the outset: to create a full-sounding enclosure, one that presents depth and body without excess. This was realised through an internal architecture shaped to minimise uncontrolled sound reflections. Stepped internals guide sound waves into defined channels rather than allowing them to scatter freely within the case, while tight internal dimensions—reminiscent of early Korean customs—further constrain unwanted resonance. The result is a sound profile that sits on the deeper end of the spectrum for a top-mounted board, achieved despite the enclosure’s relatively lightweight construction and the intentional thinning of certain sections to preserve its visual language.
By virtue of its top-mounted design, the switch plate is fastened directly into the upper portion of the enclosure, introducing a degree of vibration and resonance—an aspect often debated within the hobby. Here, that resonance is embraced rather than avoided, forming a defining element of the board’s character. In concert with the enclosure’s internal geometry, this interaction yields a sound that is measured, controlled, and unmistakably intentional.
Consideration was also given to setups without a deskmat, with the enclosure tuned to perform at its best directly on a desk’s surface. The use of 3M bumpons was a deliberate acoustic decision; their material properties help dampen unwanted vibrations while maintaining a controlled, consistent sound profile, ensuring the enclosure’s character remains intact even in minimal setups.
The enclosure was evaluated using both GMK CYL and SP DCS keycaps, each bringing a distinct tonal character to the overall sound. In particular, the board’s full and composed nature allows DCS to express its clarity and immediacy without sacrificing depth, revealing a sound that feels articulate yet grounded. This balance was a careful consideration throughout development, ensuring the enclosure remains expressive and cohesive across differing keycap profiles.
Variants
Expressed through four distinct variants, the design explores subtle differences in material, finish, and character while preserving a singular underlying form.
Signatura represents the most exclusive interpretation of Hope. Limited to just five units, it is conceived as the definitive edition. Its enclosure is crafted from A96063 aluminium alloy, rendered in a black anodised finish with a smooth, finely blasted texture, lending the piece a restrained, architectural presence. Complementing this, the weight is produced from S31600 stainless steel alloy, completed with a mirror-polished finish that introduces a quiet contrast and heightened sense of refinement.
Argentum offers a lighter and more understated expression. Here, the enclosure is machined from A96063 aluminium alloy with a silver anodised, finely blasted finish, allowing the natural character of the material to take prominence. The weight is formed from S31600 stainless steel alloy and retained in a raw machined finish, preserving the authenticity of the manufacturing process.
Caeruleus introduces a more expressive tone while maintaining the same precision and restraint. Its enclosure features A96063 aluminium alloy with a blue anodised, finely blasted finish, giving the piece a measured yet distinctive presence. As with Argentum, the weight is crafted from S31600 stainless steel alloy with a raw machined finish, emphasising the mechanical honesty of the piece.
Glaucus completes the collection with a deeper, more organic character. The enclosure is produced from A96063 aluminium alloy with a green anodised, finely blasted finish, offering a subtle yet striking alternative. The weight remains S31600 stainless steel alloy with a raw machined finish, maintaining the same balance between refinement and material integrity.
Together, these four variants represent different interpretations of the same design philosophy—each preserving the essence of Hope while expressing a distinct visual identity.