Loop Hut Why? (Our first blog)

Hi! We're Loop Hut, and our mission is simple:

"Take the Shortcut."

Here's a quick initial blog, on our small idea of a Blender shortcut mousepad getting us started on a mission to provide help and accessories for a wide range of software.

Why Blender?

Blender was a natural starting point. I’d been using it for years, mostly as a hobbyist with some freelance work here and there, and my brother had just started learning it for a VR project. As we were currently living together and noticing how fast I was using Blender relative to him with shortcuts, hotkeys and various addons, he came up with the idea for a Shortcut Reference mousepad.

"Is there something out there to help beginners with all these keys?"

After checking we noticed there were shortcut mousepads out there, but most were basic or only catered to some of the larger packages like Microsoft’s Excel. We figured:

"What if we made one for Blender?"

So we made one.

From a Side Project to Something More

To be honest, we didn’t expect much. It felt like just another fun side project, one that would probably flop (a project to learn from). But we thought, at the very least, it could be a stylish, useful mousepad with one more function than other desk mats that a few members of the Blender community could use it.

Turns out, we weren’t the only ones who needed something like this.

Trial, Error, and Waterproof Problems

Creating the first version wasn’t smooth sailing. We went through several designs, including one with a notes section (which we scrapped pretty quickly after realizing writing on a waterproof material is, well...).

We ordered samples from a bunch of manufacturers, tweaking the layout and testing materials until we finally found a combination that felt high-quality, durable, and from a manufacturer that was reliable.

In September 2024, we took the leap: we placed our first big order. The shipment arrived in November, a big risk for both of us.

The First Product

The same day, we listed on amazon. I was at GAMAYO, a local UK game developer meetup, handing out business cards with a link to our product, hoping someone might check it out.

We posted to Reddit, tested a bit of ads marketing, and soon after...

a couple of sales! 🥳

Then came a few reviews. Then a few more. Each day of sales a mini victory! Giving that feeling when you win a bet.

From One Shortcut to Many

Thanks to support from friends, peers, and our own experiences, we are now designing more tools, using our backgrounds in engineering, training, and dev.

We’re building accessories that make it easier for beginners, and pros. From creatives to developers, we know how many different software professionals use, and how shortcuts are exactly that “a Shortcut”.

What’s Next?

This is just the start. Our goal is to become the #1 company for software accessories.

If you’ve got ideas or improvements, Loop us in!

We will regularly upload posts here about useful addons, tools and tips. Please check in when you can!

Let’s help more beginners Take the Shortcut to becoming experts.

 

Thanks for supporting,

The Loop Hut Team 🤓