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Client work / Microsoft

Designed around
the human body.

Two ergonomic keyboard programs developed through DUO Product Design—bringing more natural posture, clearer interaction and faster access to the desktop.

01 / Natural Keyboard Pro

Comfort and control,
expanded for the connected desktop.

Microsoft Natural Keyboard Pro with split key field, integrated palm rest, numeric keypad and shortcut keysERGONOMICS / ACCESS / PRODUCTIVITY01
MICROSOFT · NATURAL KEYBOARD PRO · 1999

A natural posture with faster access built in

The split, gently gabled key field and broad palm rest support a more relaxed working position. Nineteen shortcut and media keys, a full numeric keypad and an integrated two-port USB hub extend the ergonomic platform into a connected productivity tool.

Design legacy

A landmark generation in Microsoft’s ergonomic keyboard family

Introduced in 1999, the Natural Keyboard Pro restored the standard navigation layout while adding dedicated internet, email and multimedia access. I could not verify a product-specific design award from a reliable archive, so the case study presents its documented design significance without attaching an unrelated award.

02 / Human-centered input

A more natural relationship
with everyday computing.

Microsoft Natural Keyboard with separated numeric keypadHUMAN FACTORS / ERGONOMICS / INTERACTION02
MICROSOFT · NATURAL KEYBOARD

Ergonomics made visible

A divided, angled keyboard architecture with generous palm support and a separated numeric keypad—designed to make posture, reach and comfort part of the product experience.

Design context

Developed through DUO Product Design

John founded and led DUO Product Design from 1996–2005, building an award-winning consultancy serving major consumer brands. This Microsoft program reflects the studio’s human-centered approach to complex product architecture.

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