RKS Guitars

RKS Guitars reinvents the electric guitar with a sustainable “open-architecture” design, modular shell system, and premium playability.

For decades, electric guitar design remained stagnant—reliant on exotic woods and static aesthetics. RKS Guitars addresses environmental impact and limited customization by pioneering a modular, injection-molded shell system built on sustainable materials, enabling personalization and reducing deforestation.

Redefining an icon—sustainable, modular, expressive

Client

Markets

What We Did

We leveraged our Psycho‑Aesthetics® methodology and ethnographic research, collaborating with guitarist and Rock & Roll Hall-of-Famer Dave Mason to identify the essential emotional and functional demands of players—from tone quality and comfort to stage presence and customization.

Research & Innovation Consulting

KEY OUTPUTS

User Personas

Emotional journey maps

Opportunity analysis

Competitive benchmarking

How We Used Psycho-Aesthetics™ to Identify Unique Opportunities in the Project.

Using our proprietary Psycho-Aesthetics® 2.0 framework, we conducted in-depth interviews and ethnographic observation in diverse lab settings. We identified key emotional and usability pain points — such as intimidation with complex interfaces, workspace clutter, and trust in precision. These insights guided both the form and interface strategy, ensuring approachability and confidence in operation.

Designed a patented “open-architecture” neck‑through core with conductive aluminum ribbing, allowing interchangeable shells—supporting diverse aesthetics and ergonomic configurations. We optimized for balance, playability, and manufacturing efficiency across injection-molded shells in vibrant finishes.

Industrial Design Concept Development

KEY OUTPUTS

CAD models of structural core and shell interfaces

Ergonomic prototypes tested for weight, balance, and handling

Modular shell library with varied shapes and finishes

While primarily hardware-based, RKS Guitars integrated thoughtful user interfaces in control layout (pickup switch placement), manufacturing tools, and content for future digital interfaces related to customizing and ordering guitar configurations.

UI/UX Design Development

KEY OUTPUTS

Interactive mock-ups of control logic and shell swap process

Digital tool flow proposals for customization

We crafted a high-impact visual identity and brand narrative to match the guitar’s bold innovation. Vibrant product naming (Original, Wave, Boomerang, Pop Series), packaging, visual tone (neon, jewel colors), and storytelling underscore sustainability and modularity, positioning RKS as a game-changing brand.

Branding Design

KEY OUTPUTS

Naming conventions and shell-series branding scheme

Color palettes, graphic patterns, packaging concepts

Framework emphasizing sustainability and customization

Engineered the neck-through core from domestic wood and conductive metal ribs, integrating with injection-molded shell materials like Tenite, reducing tonewood use by 66–80%, and maintaining tone quality. Prototype-tested with musicians for resonance, durability, and aesthetic impact.

Product Engineering & Development

KEY OUTPUTS

Functional prototypes

Material analysis of cellulosic plastics

Production-ready CAD/CAM files and structural testing reports

We executed iterative prototyping—from urethane mock-ups to molded production prototypes—testing across studio and stage environments. We supported tooling, assembly guidelines, and DFM processes for cost-effective manufacturing.

Prototyping & Manufacturing Support

Key Accomplishments

Urethane and cellulosic prototypes in multiple shell variants

Stage-tested guitars used by professionals

DFM documentation and assembly workflows

RKS Guitars exemplifies radical reinvention: a guitar that’s sustainable, modular, and performance-driven. Full-spectrum design and engineering—from research to branding—resulted in award-winning innovation that resonated with players, press, and industry bodies alike. This project underscores RKS Design’s ability to pioneer platforms that merge cultural legacy, user emotion, and environmental responsibility.

Strategy

Design

Development

RKS Guitars

Redefining an icon—sustainable, modular, expressive

Client

Markets

What We Did

Research & Innovation Consulting

KEY OUTPUTS

Industrial Design Concept Development

KEY OUTPUTS

UI/UX Design Development

KEY OUTPUTS

Branding Design

KEY OUTPUTS

Product Engineering & Development

KEY OUTPUTS

Prototyping & Manufacturing Support

Key Accomplishments

Noticeable Accomplishments

Key Accomplishments

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