Surface Mini Dial

Personal project - 2 Days

The mini dial is a portable version of the surface dial that adds 15 programmable hotkey combinations to a smaller portable version of the surface dial.

Although touch gestures are great for a few simple interactions, most software on tablet / PC hybrids has deeper functionality that becomes hard to access as soon as you fold away the keyboard. The current dial adds some new variety to how you work but suffers as soon as menus become inflated.

Adding up to 15 hotkeys allows you still have the immersive experience of working directly on the screen without sacrificing your usual workflow. There are four buttons so your hand position will never change, and the dial can be gripped with your thumb and index finger. The numbers help with learning and remembering combinations before they eventually become a part of your muscle memory.