Audio Player

Ian PetermanThe Award-Winning Strategy Behind Sustainable Product Design

Use Up/Down Arrow keys to increase or decrease volume.

00:00

0:00 / 46:09

1. The Award-Winning Strategy Behind Sustainable Product Design Ian Peterman 46:09

In this episode of the Conscious Design Podcast, Ian Peterman interviews Ravi Sawhney, founder and CEO of RKS Design, a global human-centered design firm. Ravi shares his journey in industrial design, the development of his Psycho-Aesthetics® methodology, and how emotional durability and sustainable materials are shaping the future of Innovation in product design.

They discuss Ravi’s groundbreaking work on electric guitars, including a collaboration with Dave Mason to create the world’s first sustainable electric guitar. The conversation dives into circular Economy principles and how businesses can successfully integrate aesthetics, function, and sustainability to make a lasting impact.

𝗡𝗼𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗠𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀

00:00 – Guest Introduction

00:39 – The Journey of RKS Design

02:05 – The Philosophy of Human-Centered Design

17:00 – Revolutionizing the Electric Guitar

22:23 – Innovating the Guitar: From Early Concepts to Icons

26:46 – Sustainability in Product Design

30:09 – Beyond Trends: Emotional Durability and Sustainable Products

35:57 – The Future of Design and Sustainability

About Ravi Sawhney and RKS Design

Ravi Sawhney, CEO and Founder of RKS Design, has spent over four decades driving innovation in product design and Technology. As a serial entrepreneur and thought leader, he has shaped industries with breakthrough solutions, incubated companies, and created products that impact lives globally. Through RKS Design, he’s developed game-changing designs for diverse clients, earning media praise and prestigious awards.

Sawhney also founded LoanGifting, a platform using technology to tackle the student loan crisis, and D&A Guitar Gear, which ensures the Security of instruments at major events like the Grammys and Coachella. As the visionary behind RKS Guitars, he partnered with legendary guitarist Dave Mason to create the world’s first sustainable electric guitar, used by top musicians worldwide.

The inventor of the Psycho-Aesthetics® design methodology, studied by Harvard Business Press, Sawhney co-authored Predictable Magic, a Wharton School-published book. He’s been honored as a Fellow in the Industrial Design Society of America (IDSA) and holds an honorary Ph.D. from the Academy of Art University. Ravi Sawhney’s work continues to inspire positive change across business, design, and beyond.

Learn More about Ravi Sawhney and RKS Design

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ravisawhney/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rksdesign/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RKSdesign

X: https://x.com/rks

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@RKSDesign

Website: https://rksdesign.com/ 

Learn More about Conscious Design

YouTube Channel: http://bit.ly/3sG7VEi

Blog: https://bit.ly/3kltV6s

Conscious Design Book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09KNMN9BT

Join our Newsletter: https://bit.ly/2U8IlMS

Visit our website: https://www.petermanfirm.com/

We created this content so that creative entrepreneurs like you can integrate social and environmental responsibility into your brand’s DNA through #ConsciousDesign. Ian Peterman, the leading expert in Conscious Design, hosts the Conscious Design podcast and is the co-author of the book “Conscious Design.”

Most Recent Episodes

March 21, 2025

The Greenest Way to Recover Precious Metals – No Smelting Required!

Are you wasting valuable metals without knowing it?Precious metals like platinum and palladium from end-of-life catalytic converters are often discarded — but Regenx Tech is changing that with a...

Listen · 32:32

March 13, 2025

Sustainable Flooring That’s Changing Homes (and the Planet!)

You’re Walking on a Climate Solution and You Don’t Even Know It!This carbon-negative flooring innovation is revolutionizing the way we design spaces and you won’t believe how it works! Discover...

Listen · 57:54

March 7, 2025

The Secret AI Technology Behind Pollution-Free Smart Cities

Could the air in your home or office be making you sick? Poor indoor air quality affects your health, energy levels, and productivity—often without you realizing it! But advancements in AI-powered...

Listen · 47:31

Load More Episodes

Ian Peterman CEO

Ian Peterman is leading the way for conscious design thinking through his book, podcast, and public appearances. His methods for prioritizing restorative, sustainable, and inclusive values to build a legacy of positive impact for his client’s brands have offered an exciting and rewarding approach to the future of good business. The Peterman Design Firm specializes in developing and commercializing products and offers branding and marketing for the missions its clients create. Ian also builds teams and catalyzes growth via fractional COO and CMO services. Ian is passionate about green tech, space exploration, and creating meaningful connections through human-centered planet friendly brands. When he’s not teaching and implementing conscious design he enjoys family, food, and watching the night sky. To learn more about Ian and Conscious Design you can check out @Petermanfirm for the latest podcasts, projects, and events, or find the book on Amazon.