As robotics and autonomous vehicles advance, accelerating development of physical AI—which enables autonomous machines to perceive, understand, and perform...
As robotics and autonomous vehicles advance, accelerating development of physical AI—which enables autonomous machines to perceive, understand, and perform complex actions in the physical world—has become essential. At the center of these systems are world foundation models (WFMs)—AI models that simulate physical states through physics-aware videos, enabling machines to make accurate decisions and…
The modern web has gradually shifted from a vibrant tapestry of personal expression to a landscape of identical designs, where millions of websites share not just similar structures, but identical visual language, spacing, and interaction patterns. As we collectively gravitate toward the same “proven” layouts and “conversion-optimized” designs, we’re not just losing visual diversity – we’re ceding control over how we present ourselves to the world. This matters because genuine self-expression online isn’t just about aesthetics – it’s about maintaining spaces where authentic voices can flourish.
When every blog has the same hero section, when every portfolio follows the same grid, when every restaurant site looks interchangeable, we create an echo chamber of sameness. The cost isn’t just visual monotony – it’s the slow erosion of the web’s ability to surprise, delight, and showcase truly individual perspectives. WordPress, with its emphasis on complete ownership and control, offers an opportunity to break free from this convergence of design, allowing creators to build digital spaces that truly reflect their unique voice and vision.
Think of WordPress themes like album covers. They should have personality and create an immediate visual impact. The web has become too sanitized, with everyone chasing the same minimal, “professional” look.
Great themes should:
Have a strong point of view – like how Kubrick (the classic WordPress theme) defined an era with its distinctive header gradient. Don’t try to be everything to everyone.
Embrace specific aesthetics boldly – whether that’s brutalist design, pixel art, hand-drawn elements, or distinctive typography. Create themes that excite people rather than just working for everyone.
Design for specific use cases – like a theme for photographers that’s all about full-bleed images or a theme for writers that treats typography as art or a theme for musicians that feels like an album cover.
Break some rules thoughtfully – because not every theme needs a hamburger menu. Not every theme needs to be mobile-first. Sometimes constraints create character.
We need more themes that make people say “Wow!” or “That’s different!” rather than “That’s clean and professional.” The web needs more personality, more risk-taking, more fun.
After spending countless hours digging through the WordPress theme repository, searching for designs that break the mold and spark excitement, I came up nearly empty-handed. Don’t get me wrong – there are plenty of well-built themes out there. But where’s the daring? The personality? The unexpected?
If you’ve got a wild theme idea burning in your mind – that portfolio theme that looks like a vintage trading card collection, that blog theme inspired by zine culture, that restaurant theme that feels like a hand-drawn menu – now’s the time to build it. WordPress desperately needs your creativity, your weird ideas, your willingness to break the visual rules. The future of the web shouldn’t be a monochrome landscape of identical layouts. Let’s make WordPress themes exciting again. Let’s make the web weird again.
At KeebSupply, a passion for unique, high-quality mechanical keyboards has transformed a small hobby into a thriving business for Jakob, Conor, and Timur. Initially, Jakob and Conor’s tinkering led them to design a modest macropad in 2020, sparking a love for designing custom keyboards that’s only grown. Today, the KeebSupply team brings users thoughtful, meticulously crafted designs that balance simplicity with innovation, inviting keyboard enthusiasts of all skill levels to create and customize their perfect setup.
Their very first 1337 MacroPad
With each product, KeebSupply aims to empower hobbyists and designers alike by creating versatile, customizable keyboards built around open-source principles. Collaborating with artists and designers in the mechanical keyboard community, the team develops products that support the DIY ethos, using quality materials and components while prioritizing accessibility.
Today, let’s dive into two of their very special innovations, Zilpzalp and GEIST TOTEM, to see how KeebSupply combines simplicity, community-driven design, and advanced tech with the tiny but powerful Seeed Studio XIAO controllers.
The Zilpzalp Keyboard: Compact, Portable, and Minimalist, Powered by XIAO RP2040
Source: KeebSupply
The Zilpzalp, designed by kilipan, brings a unique take to the unibody-split keyboard format. With just 28 keys, the Zilpzalp is a column-staggered keyboard that maintains the precision and functionality of a full-sized keyboard in a much smaller footprint. Its minimalist layout makes it a great choice for anyone prioritizing compactness without compromising on ergonomic features.
Central to the Zilpzalp’s design is the Seeed Studio XIAO RP2040 microcontroller, a compact yet powerful component that supports both QMK and ZMK firmware for wired and wireless configurations, respectively. The Zilpzalp offers various switch versions, including Choc and MX, with options for both hot-swap sockets and solder-only setups, so users can fully customize their tactile experience. Thanks to FOSS tools like KiCad and Ergogen, the keyboard’s PCB layout is open-source, inviting more customization options.
Source: KeebSupply
The Zilpzalp is ideal for minimalist enthusiasts who want a small, portable keyboard without sacrificing style or performance. Its compact nature makes it perfect for travelers, desk minimalists, and anyone looking to explore compact keyboards for the first time.
The GEIST TOTEM Keyboard: A Versatile, Ergonomic Split Design, Powered by XIAO nRF52840 and XIAO RP2040
Source: KeebSupply
GEIST TOTEM, a collaborative project between KeebSupply and designer GEIST, is a 38-key, column-staggered split keyboard designed with both comfort and flexibility in mind. TOTEM is a great fit for those who prefer a low-profile, ergonomic setup, as it comes with a split layout to help reduce strain on the fingers and wrists during long sessions.
The TOTEM kit comes in a wired and wireless variant. The wired version runs on the XIAO RP2040, while the wireless model uses the XIAO nRF52840 for seamless Bluetooth connectivity. Designed with beginners in mind, TOTEM includes pre-soldered diodes to streamline the assembly process. Each kit comes standard with a durable SLA 3D-printed black resin case, ensuring a sleek and sturdy build. For those seeking maximum convenience, a fully assembled kit option is also available, making it easy to dive into the world of custom keyboards.
Whether you’re a DIY keyboard enthusiast or a newcomer to custom keyboards, KeebSupply’s Zilpzalp and TOTEM models bring something truly special to the table. These keyboards showcase the team’s commitment to accessible, high-quality designs, allowing users to personalize their typing experience fully. KeebSupply’s collaboration with designers like GEIST and kilipan reflects their passion for open-source designs and their support for the keyboard community.
For more about Zilpzalp, TOTEM, or any of KeebSupply’s projects, head over to their website.
Hey community, we’re curating a monthly newsletter centering around the beloved Seeed Studio XIAO. If you want to stay up-to-date with:
Cool Projects from the Community to get inspiration and tutorials Product Updates: firmware update, new product spoiler Wiki Updates: new wikis + wiki contribution News: events, contests, and other community stuff
As affordable as Raspberry Pi Pico is, there are plenty of reasons to want to make your own board based on the chip that powers it, RP2040. We’re releasing a new book today that helps you do just that: Design an RP2040 board with KiCad (by Jo Hinchliffe and Ben Everard). KiCad is an amazing piece of free and open-source software that allows anyone, with some time and effort, to make high-quality PCB designs. Couple this amazing software with numerous PCB fabrication companies and even PCBA services (companies that will make and assemble your PCB designs), and you can go from idea to finished board more quickly than ever.
This book provides a gentle introduction to PCB design using the RP2040 microcontroller chip (the same chip that’s at the heart of Raspberry Pi Pico). You’ll learn the basics of creating schematics and PCB designs in KiCad and learn how to work with component footprints that you create yourself (or get from another source). You’ll find out how to get a PCB design manufactured — and populated with surface-mount components. Before long, you’ll be holding your own board in your hands.
After you use KiCad to design your RP2040 board, this book will show you how to send it off to be manufactured and assembled. You’ll find out about the various materials (or substrates) you can choose for your board, and learn how to pick the right manufacturer. Once you have your board in hand, you’ll also learn what you can do (and make!) with it. Our new book also includes information on designing specialised boards, such as motor drivers and game controllers.
Design an RP2040 board with KiCad is available now from the Raspberry Pi Press store, and will be on sale from various print and electronic bookstores in the coming weeks.
Pay what you want for a bundle of books
What’s more, between now and Saturday, 5 October, 2024 (at 11 AM Pacific), you can get this and other fantastic books as part of our latest Humble Bundle. Pay what you want for 14 books from Raspberry Pi Press and learn about Raspberry Pi, retro gaming, and Python.
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As robotics and autonomous vehicles advance, accelerating development of physical AI—which enables autonomous machines to perceive, understand, and perform...