Caligra is a new computer company that makes tools for experts such as scientists, artists, engineers, designers, hackers and painters. Modern computers can distract from work, because they are built to serve consumers with entertainment, shopping and advertising. This means that productivity can be reduced despite the speed of hardware continuing to increase. Consumer software design creates lag between user input and system output, creating unnecessary delays. The Caligra c100 Developer Terminal is Caligra’s attempt to design a computer focused exclusively on helping experts to create, instead of consume.

Pentagram partnered with Caligra to develop the industrial design of the c100 Developer Terminal hardware, working alongside the in-house Caligra team who developed Workbench OS, Caligra’s Linux-based operating system built for technical work. It has been developed using best-practice interaction design for expert systems (e.g. using Fitts’ law to accelerate task management). Workbench OS gets out of the way, providing a clear space for deep thought, with a focus unlike anything available from big tech. It is ergonomic, built with familiar tools and open standards to allow instant adoption, but it also includes an array of new shortcuts designed to help increase productivity. Workbench OS has no decorative elements, no pop-ups, no need for ‘do not disturb’

The design concept for the c100 developer terminal hardware was to create a single angled volume, ergonomically thin at the front edge of the keyboard, becoming thicker at the rear where the computing hardware is situated. This architecture evokes early computing hardware from the 70s and 80s but the precision in design and manufacture can only be of now. The case is CNC milled from a solid block of aluminium, which helps thermal performance and has a removable lid revealing space for tools inside. The aluminium is finished using a toughened bead-blasted texture that differentiates it from consumer devices with micro perforation for sound output and airflow.

A unique feature of the design is the central magnetic pivot that allows the keyboard to be both detached from the main body and also folded away without any visible hinge. The design is not intended to be portable, this feature recognises that sometimes expert users want to clear their desk to work with other materials or to use their own specialist input devices.

The creation of Caligra hardware demanded the same adherence to design principles as the software development. Applying best practice for interaction design led to a symmetrical keyboard design with the number pad positioned on the left of the keyboard rather than the usual position on the right. This makes the interaction area symmetrical, which accelerates user input as it reduces the time required to reach to the mouse or number pad on the right hand side of the keyboard. The keyboard uses mechanical switches that are fast operating and easy to repair or replace.

The mouse design utilises the same design language and geometry as the main case. Using a wired mouse without battery or bluetooth simplifies the design, ensuring there is no downtime for connectivity issues or battery charging.

The design was developed through extensive prototyping and testing from cardboard, foam, 3D printing and CNC machined aluminium.

Launched with an exhibition at London Design Festival in September 2025, the c100 Developer Terminal is available for preorder at caligra.com.