@KungFuCactus To build on what sacboi said: The uneven line segments around the notches are the problem. Keep the cylinder's edge segments parallel and use them as support loops. Inset and cutout geometry should fall between edge segments and not on edge segments. This can be done in the round or in a flat strip bent into…
You could start with a 32 sided cylinder. Or model it flat and bend it with a modifier. Last tips is to use a proxy mesh and skinwrap your object to the proxy mesh
@sixbysix go a bit above and few pages back, I and wirex shared the workflow to this that work on curves so your surface is flat and should work for this too.
Makes a lot of sense. It's scary how right you were about the back ending up very flat. I just tried more splines as guidelines, and the overall shape ended up being really flat. Think I'll most likely take the road of compromise, since the concept won't be touched anymore. Thanks a lot perna! This has been educational.…