We are RKS Design

Our Mission

We bring a pioneering human-centered methodology to world-class design and engineering in order to bring impactful solutions to market, which strengthen brand identity, and build meaningful emotional connections with customers.

About us

RKS Design is a pioneer in human-centered design and engineering.

Our California-based innovation and product design firm has delivered complex human-centered design and engineering challenges to the global market for over 45 years.

Using our proprietary method Psycho-Aesthetics, we build strong brands, and create emotional connections through design. Our firm is comprised of leader in industrial design, engineering, and product development across all industries—partnering with startups to global corporations.

Founded by Ravi K. Sawhney and inspired by his work at Xerox PARC and Alan Kay, RKS applies a human-centered approach that blends psychology and design. Our breakthrough with Teddy Ruxpin launched us into national prominence, and we continue to shape impactful, disruptive products today.

Meet our experts

We’re a team of curious, design-minded industry leaders who care deeply about how things work — and how they make people feel. Working with us is a mix of calm collaboration and energizing challenge. We lead with empathy, ask thoughtful questions, and value honest, open conversations. We believe the best ideas come from brave partnerships

Ravi Sawhney

Founder, CEO

Ben Azzam

Executive Vice President

Lance Hussey

Creative Director

Cary Chow

VP Program Management

Michael Kulick

Director of Engineering

Amalia Sawhney

CFO

6 reasons to partner with us

RKS combines deep experience with unique creative and emotional insights to deliver exceptional design and engineering solutions from concept to market.

1

Human-Centered Design, Emotionally Engineered

Our proprietary methodology fuses psychology, emotion, and strategy to shape user experiences that resonate. Trusted by Harvard and Wharton, it’s a proven tool for design that connects deeply and performs commercially.

2

Strategic Product Leadership – More Than a Design Firm

We act as embedded collaborators, co-owning product success metrics from concept to commercialization. Our strategy-first approach ensures the designs we create are not just beautiful — but viable, defensible, and market-ready.

3

Innovation That’s Protected and Profitable

We’ve helped generate over 500 issued patents by embedding IP strategy into the earliest stages of design. The result? Game-changing products with long-term value and clear competitive advantages.

4

Recognition Across 200+ Global Awards

From IDEA to Red Dot, our award-winning work proves our ability to deliver world-class design that stands out — elevating user experiences, building brand equity, and making a lasting impact.

5

Innovation Fueled by Diversity of Experience

We lead breakthrough projects across sectors — from MedTech to Mobility, Consumer to Climate Tech. This cross-pollination of ideas drives bold thinking and breakthrough results.

6

Sustainable & Purpose-Driven Design

We bake sustainability and ethics into every phase of our process — designing for recyclability, emotional longevity, and alignment with ESG goals — helping you build a brand that truly stands for something.

4 steps process to turn your product into reality

STEP 1

STEP 2

STEP 3

STEP 4

Define

Align on goals, deliverables, timelines, and success criteria.

Outline

Present a tailored plan with clear phases, resources, and investment.

Confirm

Formalize a contract to ensure transparency and understanding.

Kick-off

Begin collaborative execution with the team in place.