Everything’s clicking into place at Bees.Keys, the Andover business spicing up desks across the world

Between mice and mousemats, monitors and headsets, computer enthusiasts have plenty of options to personalise their setups.

But if there’s one particular bit of kit which has exploded in popularity over recent years, it’s custom keycaps. And if anyone should know, it’s Beesley, the man behind growing Andover business Bees.Keys.

During lockdown, Beesley stumbled upon some of the many YouTube creators who’ve made a living out of designing, prototyping and reviewing keycaps – the plastic covers for keys on a keyboard which hobbyists can mix and match at will.

He soon found he could put his skills in 3D design and visualisation to work within the community, creating renders of other people’s keycaps to help them market and sell their designs all over the world.

‘Art Deco’, inspired by the Roaring 20s

For a while, the commissions supplemented Beesley’s day job at a top architectural firm. It was buildings by day and keycaps by night.

That was until April 2023, when he took the plunge and founded Bees.Keys. The business made official what he’d already been working on for several months, leveraging his newfound experience with other products on the market to design and sell his own.

So, where to start? Beesley says he often finds inspiration in home life – his partner’s love for all things Art Deco, or their three pet chinchillas – as well as just everyday conversations.

With an idea in mind, he begins mocking up digital designs in both 2D and 3D, constantly iterating until everything is just right.

It’s not always a solo endeavour. Bees.Keys’ breakout hit, the Winnie-the-Pooh-inspired ‘Hundred Acres’ set, was a collaboration with an artist over in Texas.

Novelty keycaps from the ‘Hundred Acres’ set

Iconic characters like Pooh, Eeyore and Piglet provide the ‘novelties’ for the set, whereby the usual ‘Shift’ or ‘Enter’ printed on keycaps is replaced by a full-scale illustration.

And keyboard enthusiasts loved it – Hundred Acres sold more than 1,000 copies in just the first month, smashing Beesley’s expectations.

Whether it’s collaborators, customers or business partners, his is very much an international business. Once the design is ready, it’s off to manufacturers in China.

They come back with a test pressing – Beesley does some quality assurance, matching the keycaps against Pantone swatches – and then comes time to set a release date and drum up interest with slick renders and professional photos.

‘Outline’, inspired by a traditional 1935 No.10 Remington typewriter

That means sharing the design everywhere, from niche hobbyist forums to online communities like Discord, Reddit and Instagram. He also sends out early sets to streaming personalities who can share them with a much wider audience.

But no matter its global reach, Bees.Keys is still very much a part of the local small business community, as recently recognised by a £750 grant from Test Valley Borough Council.

“This grant is intended to make a positive contribution towards the cost of creating a small business”, said Cllr Katie Brooks, who handed over the cheque.

“We’re committed to supporting local businesses and entrepreneurs in the local community.

“I wish Bees.Keys all the best as they continue to grow and innovate.”

And with a much-anticipated Steamboat Willy design set to launch via online retailer Cannon Keys in the new year, the future looks bright.

• beeskeys.uk

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