Type Plotter

What is it about typewriters that's fun? 

Observing people interacting with typewriters, I noticed that the machines change people's language. People attempt to write poetically and meaningfully, as if every key they hit had irreversible ramifications. Playing with my friends in high school, we would take turns writing notes and stories. This seemed to be an activity that people of all ages enjoyed, is it just the novelty of using an antiquated object? None of us had been particularly interested in creative writing or poetry beforehand; there must have been something about these mechanical objects that changed our behavior.

It seems the machines change the way people write because of the physicality of the process. The keys create a reaction that directly imprints on the page, and it is difficult to go back and change a keystroke. These consequences create intentionality and forethought that is lost in the digital world.  

We also like typewriters because of the cheats, this is something I had fun exploring with my friends when I first got a typewriter. For example, you can create signs for currency using a combination of characters ($ = S + I), or you can draw a picture using letters, or you can use wax paper and clear tape to transfer type, or you can type into tiny notebooks, etc. 

 I was inspired to design a typewriter that preserved the positive points of vintage typewriters, while being lightweight and compact. 

In exploring the way people interact with typewriters, I noticed there is something deeper going on, which is the joy of playing within limitations. Creativity is at its best when the tools are limited, when there is structure. This idea of limiting the user inspired my design to be simple, clean, and structured. By structured I mean that there is no "erase" although the technology exists, and the user cannot change the font, size, or color of the font unless they buy a special nib. 

Models, Sketches, and User Testing 

The Shape

After testing different keyboard shapes with users, it seemed a rectangle was the most practical shape because the edges easily align the Type Plotter on the paper. The Type Plotter works by resting directly on a sheet of paper on a flat surface. 

The Type Plotter is 8.5 inches wide, meaning it is easy to align on a standard sheet of paper. 

The Keys

Below is the Type Plotter in its open and closed position. The keys nest and the nib folds in to protect the piece while it's in transport. 

Margins and Wheels

The small wheels on the base of the Type Plotter have traction and roll the Type Plotter down on a sheet of paper to "return" a line. 

The red tic marks above the keys set the margins, which can be adjusted using the arrow keys on the keyboard. 

Nibs 

The user can buy special nibs that come with new fonts. 

Color

Who am I kidding? If I designed it for real it would come only in white, possibly black.