Modular : BreakGen
Parth Pawar
Advisor: Luisa Pereira
BreakGen is a modular keyboard design platform that democratizes hardware creation—enabling anyone to intuitively build and assemble fully customized keyboards, bridging imagination and tangible interaction through modularity.
Project Description
BreakGen is a modular keyboard platform designed to empower anyone, regardless of technical skill, to create personalized, fully customized keyboards. Inspired by childhood curiosity—breaking toys apart to understand and reimagine them—this project uses modularity as a creative practice and tool. Users design their own keyboards by selecting key feel, generating personalized keycaps, building ergonomic layouts, and auto-generating precise PCBs. From digital design to physical assembly, BreakGen makes hardware customization accessible, playful, and deeply personal. It’s not just about keyboards; it’s about democratizing modular design and giving people the tools to turn imagination into reality.
Technical Details
• Interactive web platform (React, Three.js)
• 3D Modeling and Generative AI (Meshy AI, Spline)
• PCB auto-generation (KiCad integration)
• Rapid prototyping methods (3D printing, laser cutting, CNC milling)
• Modular component assembly (mechanical keyboard switches, custom PCB)
Research/Context
BreakGen builds on the vibrant DIY keyboard community and my personal exploration of modularity as a design philosophy. User research revealed that customization is highly desirable but often technically inaccessible. Existing platforms lacked intuitive interfaces or comprehensive guidance, limiting widespread participation. BreakGen bridges this gap by combining playful interaction, accessible design tools, and practical guidance—empowering users to confidently personalize their devices.
My research process involved deep exploration of modular systems—digital and physical prototyping, ergonomic studies, and user-centered design testing—culminating in BreakGen’s intuitive modular approach.