"The Magic Is in the Thumb Keys"- Nacho "NotThatNDA"

👋 About Nacho

Greetings Dygmates! My name is Nacho, I’m 49 years old and currently living in the Netherlands — although I’m originally from Spain.

I’ve always been a creative soul with an obsession for challenges. I’ve always been drawing, modeling, and animating digitally — always eager to use the latest tech I could get my hands on.

Professionally, I’ve had many lives. I studied architecture and game design, and then worked at Blizzard Entertainment for over 14 years, wearing many hats: community management, esports, marketing, events, publishing… but not directly creative ones.

When Blizzard closed their Netherlands office, I followed my heart and returned to creativity full-time. Since then, I’ve worked as a professional animator for videogames (Fabledom and Manor Lords), created digital models and miniatures for tabletop, and even learned Python programming to build successful Blender animation add-ons. These days I juggle many roles — animator, video game designer, art director — and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Outside of work, which is my hobby as well to a large extent, I can't scratch all my creative itches, and I delve into some of my other passions.  I've always loved human interfaces and believe that the most significant limitation (and blessing) of interacting with computers is the input methods. I've been obsessed with mice, keyboards, VR... you name it. Did I mention I love fishing as well? Both from the coast and spear diving! But my greatest treasure is my family: my amazing partner and my twin 10-year-old daughters, who give meaning to everything I do. I’ve structured my life to be flexible: working 15-hour days when they’re with their mom, and spending every waking moment with them when they’re with me.

🥰 Nacho's Keyboards

I’ve always preferred low-profile keyboards with short travel distance, but what truly fascinates me are input methods and interaction gadgets. That passion led me to the Dygma Defy.

When I first got it, the stock version was a bit too high for my taste. But that was the beginning of my journey: 3D printing my own solutions, testing switches, trying different keycaps, and tinkering until I found what worked. Right now, I use low switches and keycaps to stay productive, but I always have new projects brewing for my Defy.

"My Dygma Defy has been a game changer in both areas and that is why I love it so much"

I even carried my Defy with me during a 4-week holiday in Spain — it’s not the most portable keyboard, but it’s by far the most comfortable. If I had to highlight one feature, it would be how easy it is to mod and reconfigure. I have developed a couple of different solutions for innovative writing with the Dygma that I published on Githib some time ago, and have plans to merge both solutions into a completely redesigned keywell solution that will overcome the main issues with the general spacers that people use being flimsy and offset from the angle of pressing.

Get yours!

🚀 Nacho's Ergonomic Journey

I’ve been obsessed with human-computer interaction for years — repurposing joysticks as steering wheels when I was a kid, or working on projects to bring VR to Blender. Ergonomics wasn’t my biggest focus… until I discovered Dygma.

Once I researched a bit, I knew the Dygma Defy would be my next keyboard. Customization, modding, and comfort aligned perfectly with my creative workflow. Splitting the keyboard with my mouse on the right hand side has been a revelation — and I can’t imagine working without it anymore.

"The magical part of all this for me is the thumb keys and how I can have all the shortcuts that I use for 3d work with blender there with a lot less stress, and a dual key for backspace and shift on my right thumb."

What started as curiosity turned into a real ergonomic upgrade. The flexibility of the Defy lets me experiment, while still being reliable when I need to focus and get work done.

🖥️ Nacho's Setup

I work from a standing desk that I should use more often (note to self: stretch your legs!). After years of using multiple monitors, I switched to a 42” OLED panel — equivalent to four HD screens in one — and it’s been life-changing. No seams, no neck pain, just one giant workspace where I can divide the screen in thirds or go fullscreen for complex Blender projects.

My Dygma Defy sits in the center, with a Stream Deck on one side and a Logitech G502 wireless mouse on the other, resting on a wireless charging mat under my desk mat. On my left, a FIFINE mic for recording content. My setup runs on a powerful Windows laptop with a 5090 GPU, mounted on an arm for space efficiency. I recently switched from Mac (after years on an M1), and I hope one day Apple truly supports game engines so I can go back.

Behind me? An IKEA Kallax filled with 15 years of Blizzard memories and some of my 3D printing experiments. And yes, I still sit on my old gaming chair — after 10 years, I haven’t found anything as ergonomic for me, regardless of price or brand.

My philosophy has been shaped by different work environments and challenges, but two rules remain: Only make small changes you can maintain, and ignore what’s outside your control, and focus your energy on meaningful things you can influence.

🌐 Connect with Nacho

Want to follow my projects, Blender add-ons, or ergonomic experiments? The easiest way is through my Linktree, where you’ll find all my socials and work.

Thanks, Nacho!

Your story shows how creativity, ergonomics, and technology can merge into a fulfilling professional and personal life. From Blizzard to Blender, and from fishing trips to thumb-key hacks — you’ve truly made the Dygma Defy your own.

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