Work Spotlight

We take ideas and turn them into reality through Design Development Brand UI/UX Software Strategy Marketing

Xcinex

Bringing the Big Screen to the comfort of your home.

Singular Genomics G4

An innovative benchtop sequencing platform with novel, high-performance chemistry, and advanced engineering optimized to deliver unmatched power, speed, and versatility.

Talis

In office analyzer solution that will transform the future of women’s health by enabling time-critical diagnostic results.

RKS Design

is a human-centered product design firm, industrial design company, product development firm, and innovation consultancy.

RKS Design is a top-ranked and award-winning product design company that has been transforming ideas into tangible solutions across industries from healthcare to consumer goods since 1980. Located in a solar-powered California design and prototyping studio, RKS excels in industrial design, human-centered product strategy, UI/UX design, product engineering, and software development, among other services. As a leading global design and innovation firm, founded in 1980, RKS is dedicated to providing strategic help throughout each project, working closely with clients to build creative solutions that make a difference in the World. Our agency has a great track record of delivering innovative solutions to clients, and we are always testing new ideas to ensure that our work and expertise remains relevant and impactful.

Our Services

We design physical experiences that elevate the human experience

We utilize a human-centered, collaborative, and cross-functional process to create industrial designs that increase quality of life and drive user adoption. We begin every project understanding the strategic goals of our client, and developing deep empathy with our target customers. We leverage our advanced human-centered framework Psycho-Aesthetics™ to develop strong alignment and consistent delivery throughout the process.

Logos of Innovation Industrial Design Clients
Logos of Innovation Industrial Design Clients

We utilize a human-centered, collaborative and cross-functional process to create industrial designs for our clients. Because we usually aren’t designing for our own needs, we begin every project understanding the strategic goals of our client, and developing deep empathy with our target customers. We leverage our advanced design-thinking framework Psycho-Aesthetics™ to develop strong alignment and consistent delivery throughout the process.

We use human-centered principles and tools to develop deep empathy

We use decades of experience to carefully plan efficient research, which is essential to creating an emotional connection with consumers to products and services. At the same time, well-designed ethnography can reduce the cost of product development by targeting the important and necessary data required without wasting valuable time and resources. Our market research and ethnographic research processes have multiple phases that move from planning, to execution, to synthesis.

We use decades of experience to carefully plan efficient research, which is essential to creating an emotional connection with consumers to products and services. At the same time, well-designed ethnography can reduce the cost of product development by targeting the important and necessary data required without wasting valuable time and resources. Our market research and ethnographic research processes have multiple phases that move from planning, to execution, to synthesis.

We design brands to create long-lasting emotional connection and viral demand

Our brand strategy team develops and refines brands that reflect organizations, their values, and the needs and aspirations of target consumers. While a brand can be broken in constitute parts, such as a unique design, sign, symbol, or words, a powerful branding experience depends not only on the aesthetic features of brand elements but on the emotional appeal standing behind it.

Our brand strategy team develops and refines brands that reflect organizations, their values, and the needs and aspirations of target consumers. While a brand can be broken in constitute parts, such as a unique design, sign, symbol, or words, a powerful branding experience depends not only on the aesthetic features of brand elements but on the emotional appeal standing behind it.

We design iconic user experiences and user interfaces that empower users

We use our human-centered lens to collaborate across research, design, and development to develop experiences that achieve product-led growth. Our UI and UX teams use Psycho-Aesthetics™ to create deep empathy with target users, crafting user experience and user interfaces that elevate the lives of users and generate word-of-mouth demand.

We use our human-centered lens to collaborate across research, design, and development to develop experiences that achieve product-led growth. Our UI and UX teams use Psycho-Aesthetics™ to create deep empathy with target users, crafting user experience and user interfaces that elevate the lives of users and generate word-of-mouth demand.

We create innovative strategies and solutions

We use our human-centered methodology, Psycho-Aesthetics™, to help organizations and their teams build the capabilities to look into the future. Despite massive investments of management time and money, innovation remains a frustrating pursuit for many companies. We work with organizations to develop an innovation strategy around a set of coherent, mutually reinforcing policies and behaviors to achieve a specific competitive goal.

We use our human-centered methodology, Psycho-Aesthetics™, to help organizations and their teams build the capabilities to look into the future. Despite massive investments of management time and money, innovation remains a frustrating pursuit for many companies. We work with organizations to develop an innovation strategy around a set of coherent, mutually reinforcing policies and behaviors to achieve a specific competitive goal.

We build custom software using the latest technologies

Our unique integrated approach to software development allows us to create transformative digital experiences for users and organizations and allow us to link these experience to hardware products. Our dev team keeps up-to-date with the latest frameworks and libraries, allowing us to deploy software cross-platform, out-of-the-box. Some of our most recent projects include IoT, blockchain development, AI/ML algorithms, computer vision, and cross-platform digital transformations.

Our unique integrated approach to software development allows us to create transformative digital experiences for users and organizations and allow us to link these experience to hardware products. Our dev team keeps up-to-date with the latest frameworks and libraries, allowing us to deploy software cross-platform, out-of-the-box. Some of our most recent projects include IoT, blockchain development, AI/ML algorithms, computer vision, and cross-platform digital transformations.

We use our human-centered methodology to solve any engineering challenge

We utilize a combination of tried and true engineering methods and emergent technologies that give us a unique advantage in product engineering. While prototyping is a cornerstone of our work, new 3D printing methods allow us to quickly create life-like models that can be used to solve problems and make adjustments early on that are costly when done later. Our systems engineering methods incorporate traditional understandings of systems integration and organization-wide technologies driving innovation like AI/ML and IoT.

We utilize a combination of tried and true engineering methods and emergent technologies that give us a unique advantage in product engineering. While prototyping is a cornerstone of our work, new 3D printing methods allow us to quickly create life-like models that can be used to solve problems and make adjustments early on that are costly when done later. Our systems engineering methods incorporate traditional understandings of systems integration and organization-wide technologies driving innovation like AI/ML and IoT.

We blend design and engineering innovation

We’re experts at designing elegant, efficient, and patentable new technologies. Product development is often a strategic decision in the new product design and engineering process, that allows companies to create a competitive moat for their new product. Our team has developed and patented hundreds of products, that have been iterations of existing technologies and built entirely from the ground up. Making choices about how to use or create new technologies is a vital risk of the product development process. We manage this risk at every stage in the process.

Logos of Product Development Company Clients
Logos of Innovation Product Development Clients

We’re experts at designing elegant, efficient, and patentable new technologies. Product development is often a strategic decision in the new product design and engineering process, that allows companies to create a competitive moat for their new product. Our team has developed and patented hundreds of products, that have been iterations of existing technologies and built entirely from the ground up. Making choices about how to use or create new technologies is a vital risk of the product development process. We manage this risk at every stage in the process.

“Atypical of many design firms, Ravi and Lance have brought together a team of passionate, talented designers, researchers, strategists and experience experts that deliver quality results.”

– Chief Design Officer, Life Technologies

"Creativity + Strategic Thinking = RKS.

Atypical of many design firms, Ravi and Lance have brought together a team of passionate, talented designers, researchers, strategists and experience experts that deliver quality results.”
Joseph Lee, Chief Design Officer Life Technologies​
Studio view of RKS Product Design and Development Company

Featured Projects​

Impact-driven projects that moved us along the way.

Child Safety Network

Repositioning a brand in its 30th year to help appeal to millennial parents and facilitate fundraising to ensure the safety of kids.

RKS Guitars

Reinventing the electric guitar to drive sustainability and increase usability for the optimal playing experience.

Unilever

Sustainability and Global Strategy to drive and reduce the usage of water in the laundry category for emerging markets.

Project case studies with our Psycho-Aesthetics™ methodology in action.​

Hamilton T1

A more compact mobile ventilator.

VGX Inovio

DNA Vaccine Delivery Automation innovation to increase effectiveness and meet stringent regulatory requirements.

Perimetrics

Harnessing Percussion Diagnostics paired with Machine Learning (AI) to diagnose damage that otherwise can’t be detected.

Psycho-Aesthetics™ (P/A)

Psycho-Aesthetics (P/A) is our Advanced Human-Centered Design & Development Methodology

Top product design at our firm is about creating lasting emotional connections between the product, brand, service, and user. We create these connections using a foundational understanding of the user’s needs and wants, seen through the lens of our design human-centered thinking strategy, Psycho-Aesthetics (P/A). Developed over 40 years, P/A helps our company forge strong emotional connections. This strategy is unique among product design and development firms and is built deep into our firm. We leverage Psycho-Aesthetics to innovate across technologies, products, services, brands, digital experiences, and even entire companies, making a positive impact on the World.

Our company does its best work by creating solutions that stay fresh, inspired, relevant, and human. Using this approach, our firm works with clients to create lasting, impactful projects that help their businesses reach new heights. Our agency has learned that the key to success is to constantly test new ideas and push the boundaries of what is possible while always keeping the needs of our clients and their customers at the forefront of our minds. We understand that every client is unique, and we work closely with them to ensure that we are delivering solutions that meet their specific needs and provide real value to their business.
A few of the great institutions that use our design thinking methodology; P/A™:

Our Services & What We Do

As a top product design company and innovation consultancy we prioritize functional industrial design that emphasizes intuitive creativity and calculated scientific decision-making. In our product design work, we take seriously our responsibility to create impactful designs that define their markets and industries and create new intellectual property.

Our highly collaborative environment allows our designers to find best-in-class solutions that consider product form and function, usability, physical ergonomics, marketing, brand development, sustainability, and sales. Our past industrial design projects have blended art and science into sustainable package design, consumer products, user experiences, medical devices, water filtration, toys, and more.

Our industrial company offers great design any where and for everyone, and we are driven by our mission of creating impactful solutions that are both financially successful and address the most pressing social issues of our time.

Our design consulting services have been applied to a diverse set of industries including consumer, healthcare. We work with large enterprises and small business alike.

Strategy

Ethnographic Research

We use human-centered principles and tools to develop deep empathy. Leveraging years of experience and a team of dedicated user researchers, we conduct thorough research to forge a strong emotional bond between consumers and products.

By focusing on key data, our smart ethnography methods cut product development costs and save time. Our market research and ethnographic research processes have multiple phases that move from planning to execution, to synthesis, ensuring that our designers and business teams have the insights they need to make informed decisions.

Our agency has learned that by conducting thorough research and testing our ideas with real users, we can create products that truly resonate with people and meet their needs. We understand that every user is unique, and we work hard to ensure that our products are accessible and provide value to a wide range of users.

Innovation Consulting

We create innovative strategies and solutions. Using our human-centered design approach, Psycho-Aesthetics, we equip organizations to innovate and plan for the future effectively.

Despite massive investments of management time and money, innovation remains a frustrating pursuit for many companies. We help organizations form a strategic innovation plan that aligns actions and policies towards a common goal, and continue to support them as they bring their ideas to life and make a positive impact on the World.

Our agency has a great track record of helping clients navigate the complex world of innovation, and we are always testing new approaches to ensure that our clients stay ahead of the curve. We understand that innovation is a continuous process, and we work closely with our clients to ensure that they are always learning and adapting to new challenges and opportunities.

Design

Industrial Design

We design physical experiences that elevate the human experience. Our approach blends teamwork and innovation to design products that improve lives and encourage more people to use them.

We begin every project understanding the strategic goals of our client, and developing deep empathy with our target customers. We leverage our advanced human-centered framework Psycho-Aesthetics™ to develop strong alignment and consistent delivery throughout the process, ensuring that our designers and business teams are working together seamlessly.

Our agency has a deep understanding of the manufacturing process, and we work closely with our clients to ensure that their products can be manufactured efficiently and cost-effectively. We understand that every product is unique, and we bring our expertise to bear on every challenge, ensuring that we deliver solutions that provide real value to our clients and their customers.

UI/UX Design

We design iconic user experiences and user interfaces that empower users. We combine research, design, and development to create experiences that drive product success and growth.

Our UI and UX teams apply their deep understanding to thoughtfully design interfaces. Our UI/UX work improves user lives and encourages them to share their experiences on social media, helping to make the World a more connected place.

Our agency has learned that by testing our designs with real users and iterating based on their feedback, we can create interfaces that are intuitive, engaging, and effective. We understand that every user is unique, and we work hard to ensure that our products are accessible and provide value to a wide range of users.

Branding Design

We design brands to create long-lasting emotional connection and viral demand. Our brand strategy experts craft brands that mirror the essence of organizations and connect with consumers’ desires.

A brand’s power lies not just in its visual elements but in the emotions it evokes in consumers, and our designers and business teams work together to create brands that resonate with people around the World. We specialize in comprehensive marketing campaigns based on a data-driven approach, and we help startups to later-stage companies generate high returns on digital marketing investments, and continue to support them as they grow and expand their reach.

Our agency has a great track record of helping clients build strong, memorable brands that stand the test of time. We understand that every brand is unique, and we work closely with our clients to ensure that we are delivering solutions that meet their specific needs and provide real value to their business.

Development

Product Engineering

We use our human-centered methodology to solve any engineering challenge. We blend proven engineering techniques with cutting-edge technologies for a distinct advantage in product engineering. Our prototyping, enhanced by new 3D printing techniques, allows for early problem-solving with life-like models.

Our systems engineering methods incorporate traditional understandings of systems integration and organization-wide technologies driving innovation like AI/ML and IoT, ensuring that our technical teams are always at the forefront of their fields.

Our agency has a deep understanding of the manufacturing process, and we work closely with our clients to ensure that their products can be manufactured efficiently and cost-effectively. We understand that every project is unique, and we bring our expertise to bear on every challenge, ensuring that we deliver solutions that provide real value to our clients and their customers.

Product Development

We blend design and engineering innovation. We’re experts at designing elegant, efficient, and patentable new technologies. Product development is often a strategic decision in the new product design and engineering process, that allows companies to create a competitive moat for their new product, and make a lasting impact on the World.

Our team has developed and patented hundreds of products, that have been iterations of existing technologies and built entirely from the ground up. Making choices about how to use or create new technologies is a vital risk of the product development process. We manage this risk at every stage in the process, ensuring that our clients’ ideas become a reality.

Our agency has learned that by testing our ideas early and often, we can identify and mitigate potential risks before they become major issues. We understand that every product is unique, and we work closely with our clients to ensure that we are delivering solutions that meet their specific needs and provide real value to their business.

Software Engineering

We build custom software using the latest technologies. Our unique integrated approach to software development allows us to create transformative digital experiences for users and organizations and allow us to link these experience to hardware products.

Our dev team keeps up-to-date with the latest frameworks and libraries, allowing us to deploy software cross-platform, out-of-the-box. Some of our most recent projects include IoT, blockchain development, AI/ML algorithms, computer vision, and cross-platform digital transformations, all of which have the potential to make a significant impact on the World.

Our agency has a great track record of delivering high-quality software solutions to clients across a wide range of industries, and we are always testing new technologies to ensure that we remain at the forefront of the field. We understand that every project is unique, and we bring our expertise to bear on every challenge, ensuring that we deliver solutions that provide real value to our clients and their customers.

Contact Us

Contact us today to learn more about how we can help your company build innovative solutions that will still be relevant in 2024 and beyond.

Get in touch

 Our team of experts is ready to work with you to understand your unique needs and develop creative solutions that deliver real value to your business. Whether you need help with product design, engineering, or software development, our studio has the expertise and experience to help you succeed. We look forward to hearing from you and learning more about how we can help your business grow and thrive in the years to come.

FAQ's

Product design firms specialize in creating designs for a wide range of products. Firms like ours work with clients to understand their specific needs and requirements and then use our expertise to design, engineer, and develop products that meet those needs.

As a human-centered design and development firm we rely on research and interactive testing through development, concept creation, and prototyping. We aim to create products that are not only emotionally resonant and functional but also easy to manufacture and cost-effective to produce.

We employ a team of designers and engineers with a wide range of skills and expertise. We also work closely with manufacturers to ensure that our designs can be easily and cost-effectively produced.

While other product design firms may focus on a particular industry or product type, we design and develop across industries: such as consumer electronics, medical devices, or automotive parts.

We also provide additional services such as branding and packaging design, market research, and product testing. This helps our clients to create a cohesive and effective product launch strategy.

A product design agency is a professional organization that specializes in creating and developing products for businesses and organizations. Agencies like ours are typically composed of a team of designers, engineers, and other experts who have extensive experience and knowledge in the field of product design.

The primary goal of a product design agency is to help businesses and organizations bring their ideas to life. This involves working closely with clients to understand their needs and requirements, as well as conducting extensive research and analysis to identify potential design solutions. Through a collaborative process, the design team will then create detailed designs and prototypes, using advanced technology and tools to ensure that the final product meets all of the specified requirements.

In addition to creating the initial design, a product design agency will also provide ongoing support and assistance throughout the product development process. This may include conducting product testing and evaluations to ensure that the product meets all safety and performance standards, as well as providing assistance with manufacturing and production processes.

One of the key advantages of working with a product design agency is that they can provide a level of expertise and expertise that may not be available in-house. This is particularly important for businesses and organizations that are developing complex or innovative products, where the design process can be highly complex and require specialized knowledge and skills.

In order to provide the best possible service, product design agencies will typically have a highly experienced and dedicated team of designers and engineers who are trained and experienced in a wide range of design disciplines. This includes experts in areas such as industrial design, mechanical engineering, and electrical engineering, as well as specialists in areas such as user experience design and ergonomics.

A product design agency is a valuable resource for businesses and organizations looking to develop and bring new products to market. Through their expertise and experience, these agencies can help ensure that the design process is successful, and that the final product meets all of the specified requirements.

Product design consulting is a specialized field that focuses on the design and development of products for businesses and organizations. This type of consulting involves working closely with clients to understand their needs and goals, and then using design and engineering principles to create products that meet those needs.

Product design consulting involves a range of activities, from brainstorming and concept development to prototyping and testing. In the early stages of a project, a product design consultant will work with clients to identify their product needs and goals, and then develop a range of potential design solutions. This may involve conducting market research, analyzing user needs, and creating conceptual designs that illustrate how the product could look and function.

Once a concept has been chosen, the product design consultant will work with engineers and other specialists to develop detailed designs, specifications, and prototypes of the product. This may involve creating 3D models, conducting engineering analyses, and developing test plans to ensure that the product will function as intended.

Throughout the design process, product design consultants work closely with clients to ensure that the product meets their needs and expectations. They may also work with suppliers, manufacturers, and other stakeholders to ensure that the product can be produced and delivered on time and within budget.

In addition to design and development, product design consulting may also involve activities such as market research, user testing, and product launch support. This can help clients to better understand their target market and ensure that their product is well-positioned for success.

Overall, product design consulting is a valuable service that can help businesses and organizations to develop innovative and effective products that meet the needs of their customers and stakeholders. By leveraging the expertise of experienced consultants, businesses can gain a competitive edge and drive growth and success in their markets.

Product design and product development are two crucial components in the creation of a new product or service. While they are often used interchangeably, there are some key differences between the two.

Product design is the process of envisioning and creating a new product. This involves conceptualizing ideas, conducting research, and sketching out designs. The focus of product design is on the aesthetic and functional aspects of the product. This includes things like the shape, color, and materials used, as well as the user experience and usability.

Product development, on the other hand, is the process of bringing a product design to life. This involves engineering and manufacturing the product, as well as testing and refining it. The focus of product development is on the technical aspects of the product, such as the materials, components, and processes used to create it.

One key difference between product design and development is the stage of the product creation process in which they occur. Product design takes place at the beginning, before the product has been created. Product development, on the other hand, occurs after the product design has been finalized and the product is ready to be manufactured.

Another difference is the focus of the two processes. Product design is focused on the aesthetic and functional aspects of the product, while product development is focused on the technical aspects. This means that product designers are concerned with things like the look and feel of the product, while product developers are focused on how the product is made and how it works.

Another key difference is the skills and expertise required for each process. Product design typically requires a mix of creative and technical skills, such as design, engineering, and user experience. Product development, on the other hand, typically requires more technical skills, such as engineering, manufacturing, and quality control.

Despite these differences, product design and development are highly interconnected and often overlap. For example, a product designer may need to consult with a product developer during the design process to ensure that the product can be manufactured and assembled efficiently. Similarly, a product developer may need to work closely with the product designer to ensure that the product meets the design requirements and delivers a great user experience.

Product design and development are two distinct processes in the creation of a new product. Product design focuses on the aesthetic and functional aspects of the product, while product development focuses on the technical aspects. While they are interconnected and often overlap, the skills and expertise required for each process are different.

Human-centered design is a design approach that focuses on the needs, wants, and limitations of the end user. It is a collaborative process that involves the user in every step of the design process, from concept development to testing and iteration.

The goal of human-centered design is to create products, services, and systems that are intuitive, easy to use, and provide value to the user. This approach is based on the belief that the user’s perspective should be the driving force behind the design, rather than the designer’s own assumptions or preferences.

The human-centered design process typically begins with research and discovery. This involves gathering information about the user’s needs, wants, and limitations through a variety of methods such as interviews, surveys, focus groups, and observations. This information is then used to generate ideas and concepts for the design.

Once a concept has been developed, it is then prototyped and tested with the user to gather feedback and refine the design. This feedback is used to make iterative changes to the design, ensuring that it meets the user’s needs and is easy to use.

One of the key benefits of human-centered design is that it helps to create solutions that are tailored to the user’s specific needs and preferences. This can lead to higher levels of user satisfaction and engagement, as well as increased adoption and usage of the product or service.

Another key benefit of human-centered design is that it can help to identify and solve potential problems before they arise. By involving the user in the design process, designers can gain valuable insights into how the product or service will be used, and can make adjustments to ensure that it is user-friendly and meets the user’s needs.

Human-centered design is often used in a variety of industries, including technology, healthcare, education, and government. It is particularly useful for complex systems or products that require a deep understanding of the user’s needs and limitations in order to be successful.

In conclusion, human-centered design is a design approach that focuses on the needs, wants, and limitations of the end user. It is a collaborative process that involves the user in every step of the design process, and is aimed at creating solutions that are tailored to the user’s specific needs and preferences. By involving the user in the design process, designers can gain valuable insights and create solutions that are intuitive, easy to use, and provide value to the user.

Design-thinking is a process of problem-solving that involves a deep understanding of users, their needs and preferences, and the creation of innovative solutions that are both functional and aesthetically pleasing. It is a methodology that is used by designers, entrepreneurs, and innovators to come up with new ideas and solutions to complex challenges.

The design-thinking process typically involves five key steps: research, synthesis, design and ideation, execution, and moments of truth. In the first step, research, designers try to understand the needs, motivations, and experiences of the people they are designing for. This can involve conducting user research, conducting interviews and observations, and gathering insights about their target audience.

In the second step, synthesis, designers use the information gathered during the empathize stage to define the problem they are trying to solve. This involves identifying the challenge or opportunity, and creating a clear and concise problem statement that captures the essence of the problem.

The third step, design, involves brainstorming and generating a wide range of potential solutions to the problem. This can involve sketching, drawing, or using other visual tools to come up with ideas. The goal of this step is to generate a diverse range of potential solutions, without judging or evaluating them at this stage.

In the fourth step, execution, designers create a physical or digital representation of their solution. This can involve building a model, creating a mockup, or creating a working prototype. The goal of this step is to create a tangible representation of the solution that can be tested and refined.

The final step, moments of truth, involves conducting user research to evaluate the effectiveness and usability of the solution. This can involve conducting user testing, gathering feedback, and iterating on the solution based on the feedback. The goal of this step is to create a final solution that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing, and meets the needs and preferences of the target audience.

Design-thinking is a powerful tool for solving complex challenges and creating innovative solutions. It allows designers and innovators to deeply understand the needs and preferences of users, and create solutions that are both functional and aesthetically pleasing. By using the design-thinking process, designers and innovators can create solutions that are both effective and user-friendly, and help to improve the quality of people’s lives.

RKS stands for Ravi K Sawhney, the founder and current CEO of RKS Design. Ravi founded RKS in 1980.

Elevating the human design experience, since 1980

Product Development Company Header - Image of RKS Team viewing P/A wall

RKS Design

is a human-centered product design firm, industrial design company, product development firm, and innovation consultancy.

Work Spotlight

We take ideas and turn them into reality

XCINEX​

Bringing the Big Screen to the comfort of your home with Venue. The venue uses advanced computer vision to contextualize the viewers and charge on a per ticket basis so consumers can have the latest hits right at home

Singular Genomics G4​

An innovative benchtop sequencing platform with novel, high-performance
chemistry, and advanced engineering optimized to deliver unmatched
power, speed, and versatility.

Talis​

In office analyzer solution that will transform the future of women’s health.

 

Product Design & Development Company Candid/Process Collage 1

"Creativity + Strategic Thinking = RKS.

Atypical of many design firms, Ravi and Lance have brought together a team of passionate, talented designers, researchers, strategists and experience experts that deliver quality results.”

- Chief Design Officer, Life Technologies
List of design and innovation awards for RKS Product Design Company
RKS Design is a top-ranked and award-winning product design company that has been transforming ideas into tangible solutions across industries from healthcare to consumer goods since 1980. Located in a solar-powered California design and prototyping studio, RKS excels in industrial design, human-centered product strategy, UI/UX design, product engineering, and software development, among other services. As a leading global design and innovation firm, founded in 1980, RKS is dedicated to providing strategic help throughout each project, working closely with clients to build creative solutions that make a difference in the World. Our agency has a great track record of delivering innovative solutions to clients, and we are always testing new ideas to ensure that our work and expertise remains relevant and impactful.

Featured Projects

Impact-driven projects that moved us along the way.​

Child Safety Network​

Repositioning a brand in its 30th year to help appeal to millennial parents and facilitate fundraising to ensure the safety of kids.

RKS Guitars​

Reinventing the electric guitar to drive sustainability and increase usability for the optimal playing experience.

Unilever​

Sustainability and Global Strategy to drive and reduce the usage of water in the laundry category for emerging markets.

 

Recent Insights from us over at RKS, as we all continue to innovate together.

Project case studies with our Psycho-Aesthetics™ methodology in action.

Hamilton T1

 As you may have heard, “Music can be the drug of choice for designers.” We are a firm fueled by music, and we thought, what better than a collaborative playlist to share music that fuels our creativity with you?

VGX Inovio

As designers, we develop products that create emotional connections with the user integrating all aspects of form, fit, and function to optimize the user experience. 

Perimetrics

Check out the designer Volume 14. From AI and machine learning to dogs being able to smell diseases, this Volume is overflowing with engaging and divergent information and resources.

Psycho-Aesthetics (P/A)

Psycho-Aesthetics (P/A) is our Advanced Human-Centered Design & Development Methodology

Top product design at our firm is about creating lasting emotional connections between the product, brand, service, and user. We create these connections using a foundational understanding of the user’s needs and wants, seen through the lens of our design human-centered thinking strategy, Psycho-Aesthetics (P/A). Developed over 40 years, P/A helps our company forge strong emotional connections. This strategy is unique among product design and development firms and is built deep into our firm. We leverage Psycho-Aesthetics to innovate across technologies, products, services, brands, digital experiences, and even entire companies, making a positive impact on the World.

Our company does its best work by creating solutions that stay fresh, inspired, relevant, and human. Using this approach, our firm works with clients to create lasting, impactful projects that help their businesses reach new heights. Our agency has learned that the key to success is to constantly test new ideas and push the boundaries of what is possible while always keeping the needs of our clients and their customers at the forefront of our minds. We understand that every client is unique, and we work closely with them to ensure that we are delivering solutions that meet their specific needs and provide real value to their business.
A few of the great institutions that use our design thinking methodology...

Our Services & What We Do

Designer in engineering lab Product Design Firm
Our award-winning design agency has a proven track record of developing innovative products and experiences that meet the needs of users and the market. Founded by industry experts, in 2024 RKS Design remains a global leader in product design and development. With a track record of significant projects and patented technologies, RKS is an industry-leading product design and development company that creates products and experiences that connect, resonate, and drive business outcomes. Our team of in-house designers and engineers work together to create solutions and experiences that are both functional and beautiful, with a focus on delivering projects on time and on budget, while making a difference in the World. Our agency has a deep understanding of the manufacturing process, and we work closely with our clients to ensure that their products can be manufactured efficiently and cost-effectively. We understand that every project is unique, and we bring our expertise to bear on every challenge, ensuring that we deliver solutions that provide real value to our clients and their customers.

Strategy

Ethnographic Research

Injection Field Research Ethnographic Research Product Design Firm

We use human-centered principles and tools to develop deep empathy. Leveraging years of experience and a team of dedicated user researchers, we conduct thorough research to forge a strong emotional bond between consumers and products. By focusing on key data, our smart ethnography methods cut product development costs and save time. Our market research and ethnographic research processes have multiple phases that move from planning to execution, to synthesis, ensuring that our designers and business teams have the insights they need to make informed decisions. Our agency has learned that by conducting thorough research and testing our ideas with real users, we can create products that truly resonate with people and meet their needs. We understand that every user is unique, and we work hard to ensure that our products are accessible and provide value to a wide range of users.

Innovation Consulting

Project Process Innovation Consulting Product Design Firm
We create innovative strategies and solutions. Using our human-centered design approach, Psycho-Aesthetics, we equip organizations to innovate and plan for the future effectively. Despite massive investments of management time and money, innovation remains a frustrating pursuit for many companies. We help organizations form a strategic innovation plan that aligns actions and policies towards a common goal, and continue to support them as they bring their ideas to life and make a positive impact on the World. Our agency has a great track record of helping clients navigate the complex world of innovation, and we are always testing new approaches to ensure that our clients stay ahead of the curve. We understand that innovation is a continuous process, and we work closely with our clients to ensure that they are always learning and adapting to new challenges and opportunities.

Design

Industrial Design

Headphone Prototypes Industrial Design Product Design Firm
We design physical experiences that elevate the human experience. Our approach blends teamwork and innovation to design products that improve lives and encourage more people to use them. We begin every project understanding the strategic goals of our client, and developing deep empathy with our target customers. We leverage our advanced human-centered framework Psycho-Aesthetics™ to develop strong alignment and consistent delivery throughout the process, ensuring that our designers and business teams are working together seamlessly. Our agency has a deep understanding of the manufacturing process, and we work closely with our clients to ensure that their products can be manufactured efficiently and cost-effectively. We understand that every product is unique, and we bring our expertise to bear on every challenge, ensuring that we deliver solutions that provide real value to our clients and their customers.

UI/UX Design

Designing Wire Frames UI/UX Design Product Design Firm
We design iconic user experiences and user interfaces that empower users. We combine research, design, and development to create experiences that drive product success and growth. Our UI and UX teams apply their deep understanding to thoughtfully design interfaces. Our UI/UX work improves user lives and encourages them to share their experiences on social media, helping to make the World a more connected place. Our agency has learned that by testing our designs with real users and iterating based on their feedback, we can create interfaces that are intuitive, engaging, and effective. We understand that every user is unique, and we work hard to ensure that our products are accessible and provide value to a wide range of users.

Branding Design

Logo Development Branding Design Product Design Firm
We design brands to create long-lasting emotional connection and viral demand. Our brand strategy experts craft brands that mirror the essence of organizations and connect with consumers’ desires. A brand’s power lies not just in its visual elements but in the emotions it evokes in consumers, and our designers and business teams work together to create brands that resonate with people around the World. We specialize in comprehensive marketing campaigns based on a data-driven approach, and we help startups to later-stage companies generate high returns on digital marketing investments, and continue to support them as they grow and expand their reach. Our agency has a great track record of helping clients build strong, memorable brands that stand the test of time. We understand that every brand is unique, and we work closely with our clients to ensure that we are delivering solutions that meet their specific needs and provide real value to their business.

Development

Product Engineering

Engineer in prototyping lab product engineering at product design firm
We use our human-centered methodology to solve any engineering challenge. We blend proven engineering techniques with cutting-edge technologies for a distinct advantage in product engineering. Our prototyping, enhanced by new 3D printing techniques, allows for early problem-solving with life-like models. Our systems engineering methods incorporate traditional understandings of systems integration and organization-wide technologies driving innovation like AI/ML and IoT, ensuring that our technical teams are always at the forefront of their fields. Our agency has a deep understanding of the manufacturing process, and we work closely with our clients to ensure that their products can be manufactured efficiently and cost-effectively. We understand that every project is unique, and we bring our expertise to bear on every challenge, ensuring that we deliver solutions that provide real value to our clients and their customers.

Product Development

Designer in studio working on CAD Product Development at Product Design Firm
We blend design and engineering innovation. We’re experts at designing elegant, efficient, and patentable new technologies. Product development is often a strategic decision in the new product design and engineering process, that allows companies to create a competitive moat for their new product, and make a lasting impact on the World.

Our team has developed and patented hundreds of products, that have been iterations of existing technologies and built entirely from the ground up. Making choices about how to use or create new technologies is a vital risk of the product development process. We manage this risk at every stage in the process, ensuring that our clients’ ideas become a reality. Our agency has learned that by testing our ideas early and often, we can identify and mitigate potential risks before they become major issues. We understand that every product is unique, and we work closely with our clients to ensure that we are delivering solutions that meet their specific needs and provide real value to their business.

Software Engineering

Software Engineer Coding Software Engineering Product Design Firm
We build custom software using the latest technologies. Our unique integrated approach to software development allows us to create transformative digital experiences for users and organizations and allow us to link these experience to hardware products. Our dev team keeps up-to-date with the latest frameworks and libraries, allowing us to deploy software cross-platform, out-of-the-box. Some of our most recent projects include IoT, blockchain development, AI/ML algorithms, computer vision, and cross-platform digital transformations, all of which have the potential to make a significant impact on the World. Our agency has a great track record of delivering high-quality software solutions to clients across a wide range of industries, and we are always testing new technologies to ensure that we remain at the forefront of the field. We understand that every project is unique, and we bring our expertise to bear on every challenge, ensuring that we deliver solutions that provide real value to our clients and their customers.

Contact Us

Contact us today to learn more about how we can help your company build innovative solutions that will still be relevant in 2024 and beyond.

Get in touch
Our team of experts is ready to work with you to understand your unique needs and develop creative solutions that deliver real value to your business. Whether you need help with product design, engineering, or software development, our studio has the expertise and experience to help you succeed. We look forward to hearing from you and learning more about how we can help your business grow and thrive in the years to come.
FAQ's

Product design firms specialize in creating designs for a wide range of products. Firms like ours work with clients to understand their specific needs and requirements and then use our expertise to design, engineer, and develop products that meet those needs.

As a human-centered design and development firm we rely on research and interactive testing through development, concept creation, and prototyping. We aim to create products that are not only emotionally resonant and functional but also easy to manufacture and cost-effective to produce.

We employ a team of designers and engineers with a wide range of skills and expertise. We also work closely with manufacturers to ensure that our designs can be easily and cost-effectively produced.

While other product design firms may focus on a particular industry or product type, we design and develop across industries: such as consumer electronics, medical devices, or automotive parts.

We also provide additional services such as branding and packaging design, market research, and product testing. This helps our clients to create a cohesive and effective product launch strategy.

Hiring a product design company can be a crucial step in bringing your product to market. Here are some tips to help you find the right company for your project:
 
  1. Define your project’s scope and goals. Before you begin your search, it’s important to clearly define what you want to achieve with your product. This will help you communicate your needs to potential design companies and ensure that they understand what you’re looking for.
  2. Research potential companies. Look for companies that have experience in your industry and have a portfolio of work that demonstrates their capabilities. You should also consider their size and resources, as well as their location, to ensure that they can meet your needs.
  3. Schedule a consultation. Once you have a shortlist of potential companies, schedule a consultation to discuss your project in more detail. This will give you a chance to get to know the company and its team, and to see if they are a good fit for your project.
  4. Look for a company that understands your needs. It is important to find a company that understands your needs and can provide solutions that align with your goals.
  5. Consider their flexibility. It is important to find a company that is willing to work with you throughout the entire design process and make changes as needed.
  6. Check their references and reviews. Before making a final decision, it’s important to check the company’s references and reviews to ensure that they have a good reputation and that their previous clients were satisfied with their work.
  7. Consider the cost. Product design can be expensive, so it’s important to find a company that offers a fair price for their services without compromising on quality.

Product design consulting is a specialized field that focuses on the design and development of products for businesses and organizations. This type of consulting involves working closely with clients to understand their needs and goals, and then using design and engineering principles to create products that meet those needs.

Product design consulting involves a range of activities, from brainstorming and concept development to prototyping and testing. In the early stages of a project, a product design consultant will work with clients to identify their product needs and goals, and then develop a range of potential design solutions. This may involve conducting market research, analyzing user needs, and creating conceptual designs that illustrate how the product could look and function.

Once a concept has been chosen, the product design consultant will work with engineers and other specialists to develop detailed designs, specifications, and prototypes of the product. This may involve creating 3D models, conducting engineering analyses, and developing test plans to ensure that the product will function as intended.

Throughout the design process, product design consultants work closely with clients to ensure that the product meets their needs and expectations. They may also work with suppliers, manufacturers, and other stakeholders to ensure that the product can be produced and delivered on time and within budget.

In addition to design and development, product design consulting may also involve activities such as market research, user testing, and product launch support. This can help clients to better understand their target market and ensure that their product is well-positioned for success.

Product design and product development are two crucial components in the creation of a new product or service. While they are often used interchangeably, there are some key differences between the two.

Product design is the process of envisioning and creating a new product. This involves conceptualizing ideas, conducting research, and sketching out designs. The focus of product design is on the aesthetic and functional aspects of the product. This includes things like the shape, color, and materials used, as well as the user experience and usability.

Product development, on the other hand, is the process of bringing a product design to life. This involves engineering and manufacturing the product, as well as testing and refining it. The focus of product development is on the technical aspects of the product, such as the materials, components, and processes used to create it.

One key difference between product design and development is the stage of the product creation process in which they occur. Product design takes place at the beginning, before the product has been created. Product development, on the other hand, occurs after the product design has been finalized and the product is ready to be manufactured.

Another difference is the focus of the two processes. Product design is focused on the aesthetic and functional aspects of the product, while product development is focused on the technical aspects. This means that product designers are concerned with things like the look and feel of the product, while product developers are focused on how the product is made and how it works.

Another key difference is the skills and expertise required for each process. Product design typically requires a mix of creative and technical skills, such as design, engineering, and user experience. Product development, on the other hand, typically requires more technical skills, such as engineering, manufacturing, and quality control.

Despite these differences, product design and development are highly interconnected and often overlap. For example, a product designer may need to consult with a product developer during the design process to ensure that the product can be manufactured and assembled efficiently. Similarly, a product developer may need to work closely with the product designer to ensure that the product meets the design requirements and delivers a great user experience.

Product design and development are two distinct processes in the creation of a new product. Product design focuses on the aesthetic and functional aspects of the product, while product development focuses on the technical aspects. While they are interconnected and often overlap, the skills and expertise required for each process are different.

Human-centered design is a design approach that focuses on the needs, wants, and limitations of the end user. It is a collaborative process that involves the user in every step of the design process, from concept development to testing and iteration.

The goal of human-centered design is to create products, services, and systems that are intuitive, easy to use, and provide value to the user. This approach is based on the belief that the user’s perspective should be the driving force behind the design, rather than the designer’s own assumptions or preferences.

The human-centered design process typically begins with research and discovery. This involves gathering information about the user’s needs, wants, and limitations through a variety of methods such as interviews, surveys, focus groups, and observations. This information is then used to generate ideas and concepts for the design.

Once a concept has been developed, it is then prototyped and tested with the user to gather feedback and refine the design. This feedback is used to make iterative changes to the design, ensuring that it meets the user’s needs and is easy to use.

One of the key benefits of human-centered design is that it helps to create solutions that are tailored to the user’s specific needs and preferences. This can lead to higher levels of user satisfaction and engagement, as well as increased adoption and usage of the product or service.

Another key benefit of human-centered design is that it can help to identify and solve potential problems before they arise. By involving the user in the design process, designers can gain valuable insights into how the product or service will be used, and can make adjustments to ensure that it is user-friendly and meets the user’s needs.

Human-centered design is often used in a variety of industries, including technology, healthcare, education, and government. It is particularly useful for complex systems or products that require a deep understanding of the user’s needs and limitations in order to be successful.

In conclusion, human-centered design is a design approach that focuses on the needs, wants, and limitations of the end user. It is a collaborative process that involves the user in every step of the design process, and is aimed at creating solutions that are tailored to the user’s specific needs and preferences. By involving the user in the design process, designers can gain valuable insights and create solutions that are intuitive, easy to use, and provide value to the user.

Design-thinking is a process of problem-solving that involves a deep understanding of users, their needs and preferences, and the creation of innovative solutions that are both functional and aesthetically pleasing. It is a methodology that is used by designers, entrepreneurs, and innovators to come up with new ideas and solutions to complex challenges.

The design-thinking process typically involves five key steps: research, synthesis, design and ideation, execution, and moments of truth. In the first step, research, designers try to understand the needs, motivations, and experiences of the people they are designing for. This can involve conducting user research, conducting interviews and observations, and gathering insights about their target audience.

In the second step, synthesis, designers use the information gathered during the empathize stage to define the problem they are trying to solve. This involves identifying the challenge or opportunity, and creating a clear and concise problem statement that captures the essence of the problem.

The third step, design, involves brainstorming and generating a wide range of potential solutions to the problem. This can involve sketching, drawing, or using other visual tools to come up with ideas. The goal of this step is to generate a diverse range of potential solutions, without judging or evaluating them at this stage.

In the fourth step, execution, designers create a physical or digital representation of their solution. This can involve building a model, creating a mockup, or creating a working prototype. The goal of this step is to create a tangible representation of the solution that can be tested and refined.

The final step, moments of truth, involves conducting user research to evaluate the effectiveness and usability of the solution. This can involve conducting user testing, gathering feedback, and iterating on the solution based on the feedback. The goal of this step is to create a final solution that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing, and meets the needs and preferences of the target audience.

Design-thinking is a powerful tool for solving complex challenges and creating innovative solutions. It allows designers and innovators to deeply understand the needs and preferences of users, and create solutions that are both functional and aesthetically pleasing. By using the design-thinking process, designers and innovators can create solutions that are both effective and user-friendly, and help to improve the quality of people’s lives.

RKS stands for Ravi K Sawhney, the founder and current CEO of RKS Design. Ravi founded RKS in 1980.

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