I had the absolute pleasure of interviewing Binge from Hunger Works Studios. I just wanted to take a minute to thank Binge for going into all of the detail on his craft in this interview, and for the resources he has made available to the community. For the latest news make sure to check BingeCap.com, Hunger Work Studio’s Instagram, and the BingeCaps GeekHack forum.

Andy: When did your artistic side begin to come out growing up, and how so?

Binge: I’ve always been conditioned to making things. Both my parents are engineers, and I remember that if we were going anywhere there was always some way of making or analysing an object which followed a method of design. Some of my first memories are of being taught how to dismantle things/reassemble and use soldering irons on the same table as I had crayons/colored pipe-cleaners. I would draw comics for my notes in school until I left to pursue an education in graphic design. I never actually got past my first year of graphic design school back in 04′, so until getting my heart broken in a clack sale and starting up Bingecap in 2013 I had been on a long hiatus from the arts.

Andy: Did your venture into keycaps yield your first sculptures, or had you ever done any sculpting before?

Binge: I used to make pipe cleaner action figures with my next door neighbors before I was 6. Really good times. It’s not really sculpting, but that was probably the closest I came to making figures/figurines before this.

Andy: That’s incredible. From your intricate designs I would not have assumed that

BingeCap: I think the intricate stuff came after practicing at making the images in my head into the shapes in my hands.

BingeCap: I always wanted to make the lion keyng an imposing figure full of detail like something you’d see in a Victorian era door knocker.

BingeCap: He went through 3 revisions before I had him ironed out to what you know him to be today.

Andy: When you say revisions, are those actual sculpted revisions, or do you mean on paper? Do you even plan your caps out with drawings ahead of time, or do you just let it come to you out of the clay?

BingeCap: sculpted revisions.

BingeCap: I made one key from paper to sculpture, and that was the Ork Trooper

BingeCap: didn’t quite get him, but got VERY close

BingeCap: I feel it was close, but the differences in what I drew vs what I could sculpt have discouraged me from doing a lot of polished concept drawings.

Andy: What was the first artisan keycap you saw, and what made you want to start creating your own?

Binge: I half answered this guy in 1. The first artisan keycap I ever saw was a Clack chillin in EK’s shop for months and months and months. I was kicking myself years later just because I wanted to own a nice looking keycap. After that point I was never able to get one at retail all on my own, so I just decided I’d learn and my tastes/reasons for going along with it have changed a lot after becoming so heavily invested with tools.

Andy: Did you have any help starting out, or did you have to figure out the art of cap making by yourself?

Binge: The only help I had was a few amazing backers who each sent me $35 to make a prototype hand-e-cap. It was my rendition of a hand on top of a keycap, and I promised I’d sculpt some keys and give them whatever I could cast. My first casts were not pretty and neither were my first molds. The entire venture has been trial and error except for a few instances where cap-makers have discussed techniques to try and improve each other’s work. I’d have to say KWK and Booper have been the biggest help to me in their own ways, and I only hope I’ve helped them out in turn. This type of collaboration happened long after I was making solid, void free, keys.

Andy: so speaking of starting out, it seems like you already had the support of the community before casting your first cap. did you feel a lot of pressure at first? what were the initial reactions towards your caps? When you started, the market was far smaller than the ever growing artisan cap market is

BingeCap: When I was starting out there was no incentive to cashgrab except to make the total expense of operation less daunting. I was worried about following something I might become passionate with. At this point in my life I sacrifice more of what’s normal and secure the more I dive further into the craft.

BingeCap: I’d say the initial reaction was just a lot of cheering, constructive criticism, and TONS of questions that followed each action I posted publicly.

Andy: (For future reference, if you have any pics of those early caps i’d love to see them/post them if you’d allow me)

BingeCap: Full Gallery

BingeCap: There may be a misnomer about the community support. It didn’t really start with casting artisans.

Andy: So what was your start with the community?

BingeCap: It was a $5 for an art piece service.

Andy: Interesting, and was this just commissioned art of any nature, or somehow related to keyboards?

BingeCap: This service pre-dated my casting and lead to it as much as my own curiosity with the craft.

BingeCap: I wouldn’t turn down a request.

BingeCap: At one point I was asked to draw a topless beach-babe wearing a horse head mask pouring a growler full of mustard into the mouth of a man who was crawling out of a sub sandwich.

BingeCap: Most of the time I would complete these pieces over a period of a few hours to a few weeks while at my day-job.

BingeCap: The first backers of my keycaps were largely people who I had doodled for in the past.

Andy: (i will pay you $50 for a framed print of that topless mustard babe)

Andy: Very interesting, I did not know that about your origins

Andy: (will open later, in public library. =p)

BingeCap: (I think I have the original image around here somewhere)

Andy: Outside of keyboards, what are some of your other hobbies?

Binge: I collect a lot of obscure audio/electric equipment tools, fountain pens, and Transformers. Out of all of them my Transformers collection is the most massive totalling in at about 100 figures.

Andy: What is some of your favorite audio gear? Fountain pens?

Andy: 4.b How did the transformers collection begin? What did you think of age of extinction?

BingeCap: My favorite audio gear is my Steinberg ZT-3. When I could play I would curl up with that thing. Honestly if it wasn’t so fiddly I might want to take it out of its case.

BingeCap: Favorite Fountain Pen is a 193X Vintage De La Rue Onoto “the Pen”

BingeCap: Transformers collecting happened during that time when I was making pipe-cleaner figurines.

Andy: That’s really cool to stick with a hobby for so long

BingeCap: I had a friend whose parents would really shower him with the best of figures, and at the time my parents barely had enough to feed us very well.

BingeCap: So when I would go home I’d try to remake the figures I played with at my friend’s house out of the pipe-cleaners we had lying around.

BingeCap: Fast forward a while… one of the first things I decided to buy when I began to make money for myself was a transformers toy. Masterpiece Series MP-01 Optimus Prime.

BingeCap: Still an avid fan of the original cast and art direction from Transformers the 1980s Animated Series. I’d say the most recent films by Michael Bay have done a lot to re-energize the franchise, but in another way the characters only reconnect with their origins by name. Their personalities and design are definitely from another dimension. In that space they have their place, but you won’t see me singing any praise for that series of modern movies.

Andy:What is your daily driver keyboard? Any special keycap sets or artisans on it?

Binge: I use a personally built ergodox with MX white switches. The keyboard has seen a rotation of artisans on it from Bro, Booper, Clack, and KWK. Right now I have a full 1976 set on it.

Andy: Can you explain a bit of the process that goes into creating your caps?

Binge: Sure, but I’d need to know which part exactly… It’s very involved and I’ve written an introductory guide to the craft on GH.

Andy: What, if anything, influences your keycap designs?

Binge: Puns.

Andy: Are there any other artisans you really look up to or appreciate at the moment?

Binge: I look up to Bro, Booper, and KWK’s work most of all. I respect Clack and even thought of him as an idol for a time but I can’t say I look up to him quite the same way. The other designers I have mentioned have had a more active role in discussing the craft and providing me with a bit of camaraderie and push me to do more knowing they are continuing to create.

Andy: So, speaking of your peers as far as artisans, what excites you about what the others you mentioned are doing? (Booper, Hipster, etc)

BingeCap: With the artisans I admire I’m most excited about what’ll happen a year from now. How will the art change, and how will they be different. My collection sees what it can from their works, and I try to remain selective so that I’m not hoarding. If I have too many I don’t have an excuse for their stuff in a few months. I’m excited to see them producing and refining the ever controversial and exciting combination of sculpture and casting. I also have some coming in the mail from Booper’s most recent sale! YES!

Andy: Yeah I am really stoked to see my Booper caps as well! (Bowie Monkey and Cosmo dude?!)

Andy: Speaking of other artisans, lets talk about the new guys for a second

BingeCap: Making Stuff Together is like a 2nd home for me. Shoot!

Andy: Is there any advice you would give to newcomers? And as an old timer in both the community and trade, what do you think a new maker needs to do to cut their teeth and prove they are up to the task? Obviously making caps is neither cheap, or quick, and requires a lot of time and effort to be put into it

BingeCap: That’s a very tough one you’ve given me and I’m flattered to be asked what I think.

BingeCap: I don’t know enough of these guys to know what their strengths and weaknesses are, but I do know that people have always appreciated every time I have gone forward and refined my sculptures.

Andy: I think you have a lot to offer in terms of actual casting advice (will link your guide) but as well as advice on how to get into the community and what it really takes to get to a position like you are in now

BingeCap: Every time I went back before selling something and tried to achieve a standard I would be proud to receive.

BingeCap: The pieces I made in my first week of casting and the 2nd week were drastically different. That first week was just blow after blow after blow to my expectations.

BingeCap: It wasn’t that I was expecting to make a clack out of the gate, but some of the keys wouldn’t even fit on a switch.

BingeCap: I’m having a bit of a hard time saying this without seeming demanding. The hurdle I’m trying to hop is how to describe listening to your personal demands? Have you ever had a project that you felt was personally demanding?

Andy: Yeah i know the feeling well

BingeCap: We could agree right here that includes a bit of integrity, self discipline, vision, and mania?

Andy: I do agree, for basically any form of art. It has become soft of “the thing” to do lately, and I’m often curious who will actually last in this new batch of artisans

Andy: What keeps you going making caps? You mentioned the “cash grab” earlier, but what people don’t seem to understand is that there isn’t much money in the caps. Obviously intentions and what you as an artist are looking to get out of making caps plays an important role in keeping you going

Andy: Sometimes there is so much controversy in caps I can’t imagine it being easy for you, or any of the makers that are truly trying to do the best than can for the community. Your Sticket sale was an amazing way to run a sale, and I really think that way of thinking is truly helping the overall view of artisans in the community

BingeCap: The ambiguity in what to make of the craft is like a fog that rolls in and out.

BingeCap: You see what I’m doing and I’m peddling and creating. The community is there and this energy can happen or… not happen.

BingeCap: I think for people on the outside there is definitely something glamorous about making an announcement and crashing a server or filling up an order-form faster than the seller can close it.

BingeCap: For me the fog is the community and the only thing I can see clearly are the pieces I’ve made in my hands.

BingeCap: made with–

BingeCap: Maybe this is a terrible analogy, but when I’m on the other side of the fog I’m quite blind as to what’s happening between me and that person on the other side.

BingeCap: There’s always a worry that what I’m making won’t keep me feeling secure in the unknown. I keep making these things though because I feel better for it.

Andy: I can understand that completely

BingeCap: I do appreciate your praise for the Sticket sale.

BingeCap: That was definitely one of those foggy moments where I had some tools, and I thought that if I used them then I’d be ok.

Andy: I just know I see a lot of undeserved angst from people after sales when they didn’t win, the sense of entitlement can be overwhelming at times and often leaves artisans in a lose-lose situation, but making everyone that participates a “winner” it truly a fantastic idea and was brilliantly executed

BingeCap: Losing out on a sale generally made me feel terrible and motivated to be in line all over again.

Andy: I don’t think winning a sale is as special either until you’ve lost a few. I know it took over a year before I even got in on my first sale and won a cap

BingeCap: I love keyboards, sets, and accessories as much as the next guy. There’s serious envy I have for some of the opportunities others have gotten.

BingeCap: That sense of satisfaction can mend a lot of negativity for sure, but the opposite is true for the folks who keep losing.

BingeCap: With the Sticket sale I honestly saw Bro absolutely killing it with his recent endeavors, booper, key kollectiv, and others all making fall sales.

BingeCap: I thought there would be no way to keep this responsible and get 100 more keys out there to people who already spent $110+ on less than 3 keycaps.

BingeCap: I wanted to give everyone something and the possibility that someone with $5 could grab a keycap I would value at $40.

Andy: it is absolutely brilliant, and i’ve seen less complaints about this sale than any other sale for artisans yet

BingeCap: We can only hope the gator doesn’t show up…

Andy: (it will knowing this community, but hopefully only a small one 😉

Andy: How long on average does it take to create an entirely new cap, from any initial thinking/planning until the first “finished” cap is made?

Binge: My fastest time was about 10 minutes. The slowest I’ve been at making a key has been about a month. Sometimes if you make no mistakes and have a clear objective it is very straightforward and fast, but like with any project if mistakes are made or the objectives aren’t entirely clear the timetable can expand pretty drastically. I must clarify that when you say finished cap I’m responding to say I have made a keycap with a final design that will go on a keyboard and function properly while retaining its shape. I make my original keys out of epoxy so they set hard and ready to use as well as serving as a master for molds.

Andy: So something I’m very curious to know. What do you think defines an “artisan”? Either the cap or the maker or both.

BingeCap: Wifu: Made by hand with experience, love, and talent.

BingeCap: I think I agree with her. It’s the extra mile someone can go to make the ordinary something extraordinary.

Andy: I wouldn’t argue that. Personally I find myself far more excited about caps that share an obvious amount of personal taste and attention than other more “popular” caps that can almost seem generic, or caps made half-assed just because someone wanted to “be an artisan” without really going through the motions of holding back releasing a product long enough until it was perfected enough to deserve a release

Andy: Nubbinators caps really have a lot of spunk and personality. He comes to mind as that was the last sale I was in. The execution was very quality as well, making it a work of art in my eyes, and not just a custom cap.

BingeCap: Speaking of generic to artisan… it really speaks of what Punks, Nubbinator, Key Kollectiv are doing that they’ve taken the blank and given it that extra taste without losing out on their integrity or originality.

BingeCap: I don’t think any of my designs have hit their prime, and I certainly hope they have not. I want to be revising my sculpting for a long, long time.

Andy: I would imagine that striving to always improve is a necessity as an artisan, or artist in general

BingeCap: If I could adhere to that and prosper I think I’ll continue to be happy doing this craft.

BingeCap: crap I’m getting a backrub and my brain is muuush

Andy: haha well i think that’s about good for now, I don’t want to take too much time away from you and Wifu

Andy: want to call it good for now? i will send you google docs with the interview and any final clarifications or questions in a few day

BingeCap: hahaha I was going to say I really appreciate your interest and I feel as though my perspective is broadened from it.

BingeCap: yeah I think this would be a good place to wrap it up

Cover Photo thanks to ZealPC