Wildly eclectic and incredibly talented, our team is laser-focused on one passion. Creating heroes.
Sure, we design breakthrough products and build brands. But we accomplish both by transforming consumers into heroes.
Hero creation is how we deliver game-changing results that build viral demand. Time. After time. After time.
In turn, these repeatable results make heroes of our clients as well..
You want to win the game? Change it.
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Founder and CEO
Ravi received an honorary doctorate from the Art Academy University in San Francisco in honor of his ongoing development of RKS's proprietary design methodology, Psycho-Aesthetics, as well as his remarkable body of work, which spans over a quarter of a century. His contributions extend to the innovation of the IDSA/BusinessWeek Catalyst award and being named chairperson for the 2004 Industrial Design Excellence Award program. Ravi has been named on over 150 patents, U.S. and worldwide.
With extensive experience in both product and user interface research and design, Ingvald quickly made a mark for himself as a senior designer at RKS and is now the Vice President of Strategy and Research. In addition to his experience at RKS, Ingvald spent three years as a product and interface designer at Universal Electronics. Ingvald worked at ZIBA as the senior design manager for their California office. His responsibilities included project design direction and management, main client interaction, and recruiting new talent. He is a graduate of the Art Center College of Design with a degree in product design and was awarded a Bronze IDEA award in 2003 for his user-interface design.
A graduate of Cal State Long Beach, Kurt joined RKS in 1994. As a product developer, Kurt problem-solves mechanical issues and executes parts into production-ready designs without compromising the industrial design.
Kurt's contributions have rewarded RKS clients with a multitude of design awards and multiple patents. He has been a keynote speaker for numerous organizations and schools.
Ravi recognized Lance's innate talent for design when Lance was one of his students at California State Northridge. Eighteen years later, Lance is the Vice President of Design at RKS and oversees the design of virtually every project that comes in the door. Lance has been and continues to be instrumental in the continuance of RKS as a global industrial design powerhouse. In addition to his primary role as Vice President of Design, Lance mentors other members of the team using the knowledge gained through his many years in the design field. With over 10 IDEA awards under his belt and innumerable patents, Lance's excellent sense of design will continue to guide RKS's growth well into the 21st century.
After graduating with a BS in Organizational Communications from the University of California, Santa Barbara, Sarah moved to New York City where she honed her meticulous management skills to complete numerous award winning projects. With accounts as diverse as Nestle, The Scotts Company, Abbott Laboratories and The Home Depot, her strategic branding experience extended to both packaging and industrial design.
With over ten years working within the industry, Sarah’s experience in Research, Marketing and Branding provides a unique perspective to her role as a Project Manager.
Toshi received Master's degrees in Organic Chemistry from Kyoto University in Japan and from Yale University. He was then hired by Amgen as Associate Research Scientist, while he simultaneously studied Industrial Design at the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena. As a result of his design work, Toshi has been recognized with awards in international competition. Toshi left Amgen to begin his Industrial Design career at RKS in 2006. Toshi's ability to understand and effectively merge complex technology with relevant aesthetics helps him create breakthrough designs.
Chelsea has a BA in Psychology from Northwestern University and an MS in Operations Research from Case Western University. Chelsea's focus on process optimization and user experience has driven successes for companies in the service, manufacturing, retail, and entertainment sectors. For four years, Chelsea exercised her passion for design and sustainability as Director of the International Design Excellence Awards at IDSA in Dulles, Virginia.
In June 2009, Chelsea joined RKS and today supports the company's business development and outreach efforts.
Ben attended California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks, CA, where he graduated with a Bachelor's of Science in Criminal Justice.
After first earning a BS in Molecular and Cellular Biology, Genetics from UC Berkeley, Young entered the Academy of Art University in San Francisco. There, she completed her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Industrial Design.
In 2008, Young was chosen as IDSA Merit Award Nominee to present work at 2008 IDSA Western.
At RKS, Young is involved in projects from research and strategy through final 3D design.
Soyun Kim has both a BA in Business Administration from Sookmyung University and a BFA in Industrial Design from the Academy of Art University.
In 2007, she was chosen as one of the nation's top five ID students when she won the IDSA National Student Merit Award Winner for the Western District. The Vite – Rescue Stretcher Soyun co-designed was awarded the highest award at the 2008 Spark Awards.
Before joining RKS, Soyun interned at Lunar Design in San Francisco.
With an extensive background and a degree in accounting, Amalia manages accounting and human resources for RKS.
Throughout her career, Amalia has been responsible for a range of business management activities including developing and directing a variety of on-site material control functions including planning and inventory accounting.
Steve received his Bachelor's of Industrial Design from Syracuse University in New York. While still a student, he began work as a model maker at Design Innovation in Connecticut.
In 1998, Steve joined RKS. In his 10 years here, he has been and remains instrumental in the iterative process, creating prototypes and models essential to the creation of breakthrough products.
Barb came to RKS straight from the picket lines of the recent WGA strike. Before RKS, she had written for television shows including Ally McBeal, Ed, and MacGyver.
Barb attended the University of Missouri, Columbia, and received an Honor's Interdisciplinary BA in Radio/TV/Film, Marketing, and Management. She then went onto San Diego State University to pursue a Master's in Telecommunications and Film.
Beyond her Marcom work at RKS, Barb is also involved in branding and communications programs for our clients.
Jani brings to RKS extensive experience in research and strategy. He has a Masters in Industrial Design from North Carolina State University and two undergraduate degrees in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Mumbai. He has an eclectic mix of experience from working at Dell, Ignition, Larsen & Toubro, NCSU College of Management, SymbientPD and Gamil.
Jani passionately leverages his multifaceted background in strategy, design, technology and culture to create compelling strategic solutions for user experience and brand enhancement.
Karen brings her passion for user experience and her deep understanding of online social networking and the culture of the internet to generate successes for RKS’s viral marketing campaigns. Karen has over twelve years experience in user interaction, web development and design. She studied Computer Science at Ventura College in Ventura, CA. Karen first worked for RKS Guitars before joining the RKS team. Karen is responsible for web and UX development and more for RKS, IDSA’s Catalyst program, and for client projects.
Deepa Prahalad has a wide-ranging business background including experience as a commodities trader with Cargill and as a strategy consultant. She has a BA in Economics and Political Science from the University of Michigan and an MBA from the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth.
Deepa authored the first business plan for MyOwn.MD (now Safe-Med.com) which is now the analytic engine behind Google Health. She has also worked as an independent consultant on marketing and strategy for Zebra (ZBRA) and other companies.
Leah earned her Bachelor's of Science in Industrial Design from the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, CA.
She began her studies at the Art Center in transportation design under a full scholarship from Ford Motor Company. She later realized her true love was product design and switched the focus of her coursework.
Leah joined RKS immediately after graduating. Here, she participates in strategy and design programs from beginning concept sketches through final 3D development.
John obtained his BSME degree from UCLA. He joined RKS Design as a Senior Mechanical Engineer in 2006. John brings more than 15 years experience to the position, having designed and engineered a range of award-winning and patented microelectronics and other technical products. John's engineering background also includes experience in Aerospace Manufacturing, as well as support of the design, fabrication and assembly of experimental laboratory devices – specifically at the UCLA Advanced Thermionics Laboratory. Prior to beginning his engineering career, John spent a decade in the technical side of the entertainment industry.
Hojin earned an MFA from the Academy of Art University, and dual BFAs (in Painting and Visual Communication Design) from Hongik University. She joined RKS after internships at Lunar Design and Michael Osborne Design (both in San Francisco), and at Dongyang in Korea.
Hojin applies her talent to extraordinary branding and communication solutions for RKS and our clients.
Christine brings an integrated portfolio of managerial and creative skills to the RKS team. She holds an EMBA from USC, a Master’s in Social Work, also from USC, and a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Cognitive Psychology from the University of California at Santa Barbara. Christine participated as a research assistant under renowned British physicist Dr. Steven Hawking while at UCSB, and completed her Masters Thesis which examined the intersection of technology and human behavior during a year-long internship at the California Institute of Technology and held senior-level positions at L3 Communications and the Department of Homeland Security.
Ko Nakatsu studied neuroscience for two years with full intent on becoming a surgeon... until he learned about the creative power of design. He then earned his BFA in industrial design with minors in psychology, photography, and digital imaging from Carnegie Mellon. Ko continued to expand his experience as an interaction designer and user researcher at McMaster-Carr. Next, his diverse design background led him to work as a designer, researcher, and strategist in the Advanced Planning and Strategy department at Nissan North America. Ko joined RKS in 2009, where he works on interdisciplinary teams, using our Psycho-Aesthetics process to fuel strategies for global markets.
Paul got his Bachelors degree in Industrial Design from CSU Northridge and went to work for Melvin Best Design, eventually becoming president of that firm after Mel’s passing in the 90’s. Paul has worked with clients in virtually all fields from consumer goods to military products. He was operations manager at RKS, then was made President of RKS Guitars when that company spun off. In that role, Paul identified, negotiated purchase of, and built up a factory that laid out over ten thousand square feet and employed two dozen people. He will always be known as the guy who, when asked "why don’t we design a better guitar stand," replied, "why don’t we design a better guitar?" But his abilities to connect with people, business and technology is what we admire most about him.
Eric started his own marketing and advertising firm at 18, quickly earning enough money to pay for the B.S. in Industrial Design he earned from the University of Cincinnati. Eric won an IDSA Bronze Award for his senior thesis project addressing universal design in Korea. Eric completed internships at GE Appliances, New Balance, Continuum, M3 Design, and Ziba before joining Ziba fulltime after graduation. Eric has also worked as an independent consultant which has taken him around the world, most recently with multiple trips to China and Hong Kong where he continued to improve his skills as a designer, developer, and strategist.
Nour comes to RKS after earning his BFA in Industrial Design, with a minor in Interaction Design, from the Savannah College of Art and Design. Prior to coming to RKS, Nour completed a design internship at Husqvarna Outdoor Products. While at SCAD, Nour was an officer for the student chapter of IDSA and spoke at the SCAD Sustainability Teach-In in February, 2009. Since joining RKS, Nour has quickly become a valued team member on strategy and design programs.
Julie’s interest in consumer behavior began during her studies at Tufts University, where she earned her BA in Psychology and English with honors. Julie subsequently developed her expertise in customer research, product development, and strategy working at Nissan. In her role at Nissan, Julie researched and designed next generation vehicles and identified new business opportunities. Prior to joining RKS, Julie led social media marketing and supported the marketing and PR initiatives at TrueCar, Inc, a venture-backed firm dedicated to becoming the authority in new car pricing.
