COMPANY

PROJECT

RTFKT x RIMOWA Meta-Artisan Collection

RTFKT

CONTRIBUTIONS

Design Director

3D Design

Interaction Design

Developer

Narrative Design

Lore

Immersive Design

DETAILS

Designed and produced the Workerbot and its story elements as part of the RTFKT x Rimowa campaign.

Built by the Artisans, these small autonomous robots are the lifeblood of the Rift Mark Two space station located in the Draconis constellation. The Autonomous Worker Bots patrol and maintain the station, crafting empowering gear for explorers and world-changers across the universe.

The final phase of the Wandersmith experience saw the community successfully reactivating the Wandersmith, granting them access to the Rift Mark II spacecraft, where they could mint exclusive Rimowa luggage or Workerbots. This minting event allowed participants to enter a draw for the purchase of these digital collectibles.

Each Worker Bot digital collectible included a 3D component embedded with animations and poses, enabling users to integrate them into their virtual spaces across the metaverse. This interactive feature added an additional layer of value and engagement, allowing users to select and pose their Worker Bot for a more personalized and immersive experience.

The Workerbots

DIGITAL COLLECTIBLES

Built by the Artisans, WorkerBots are small autonomous robots that serve as the lifeblood of the Rift Mark Two space station in the Draconis constellation. Patrolling and maintaining the station, these loyal robots craft empowering gear, supporting explorers and world-changers across the galaxy.

With the FUD Virus vanquished thanks to the efforts of the RTFKT community, the WorkerBots have returned to their daily assignments, bringing balance, productivity, and a spark of curiosity back to the station.

A total of 2,222 WorkerBots were released, designed to be an approachable and entry-level avatar for those ready to explore the metaverse. Cute, clever, and full of personality, they quickly became one of the most beloved entities in the RTFKT ecosystem.

Each WorkerBot carries a unique energy, Confidence [Upper Left], Exploration [Bottom Left], Vision [Upper Right], and a playful nod to old-school RPGs, the Mimic [Bottom Right]. Also included was the original base form of the WorkerBot [Center].

Whether assisting on quests or simply being your loyal digital companion, WorkerBots are built to move the future forward, one adventure at a time.

Read more about their story in the RTFKT x Rimowa Campaign

CONCEPT &
Design

Sketch

The concept of the Workerbot aimed to strike a balance between fun and quirky while ensuring sturdiness and durability. These bots were designed as loyal companions to the Clones, assisting them in various quests and explorations along their journey.

I wanted their playful yet robust design to paint them not only as functional but also as an endearing presence throughout the various campaigns

Base 3D Model

I 3D modeled the WorkerBot and did some paint-over line work to better explore a feel for the type of paneling that would work best with the design and vision we had in mind.

Infected State Faceplate

Unfortunately, an enemy probe found the factory and injected a FUD virus that infected the robots and made them question their programming.

I explored various forms of glitched states and landed on one using a distorted version of the pattern we painted on the luggage

Expressions

These bots were meant to be more than just functional, they’re expressive, lovable, and quite versatile. From the start, we wanted them to feel like true companions: soft, approachable, and full of personality, yet still capable of showing moments of mischief or surprise.

At the heart of this expressiveness is the digital screen faceplate, which acts as the bot’s emotional display. This design choice gave us a flexible canvas for a wide range of moods, blinking eyes, animated reactions, playful emotes, and even idle quirks, all easily adjustable and reactive to context.

Color was also used intentionally to reflect state and emotion:

Blue faceplates symbolize a bot’s intended, healthy operating mode, calm, cheerful, and ready to help.
Red faceplates represent an infected or compromised state, most notably during the FUD Virus takeover, a subtle visual cue that something has gone wrong.

Skin Vial

I explored the concept of Skin Vials, a system that allows users to upgrade and transform their WorkerBot by loading a vial directly into its body. These vials function like enhancements: visual reskins, functional upgrades, or unlocks for special abilities and behaviors. Think of them as a cross between cosmetics and RPG-style modifiers, designed to evolve your WorkerBot as you evolve within the metaverse.

Skin Vial Compartment Design

The internal compartment was broken down into five functional components:

Vial Holder: A precision-mount mechanism that secures the vial in place during use.
Skin Vial: The interchangeable module containing data and functionality.
Secure Latches: Locking mechanisms that provide visual feedback and mechanical integrity when loading vials.
Vial Bay: The recessed housing unit within the WorkerBot’s chassis that accommodates the vial and stabilizes input.
Magnetic Data Transfer Connector: Enables seamless integration between the vial and the bot, transferring data, updates, or enhancements in real time.

This mechanism was designed not only for functionality but as a storytelling device, unlocking a future where each WorkerBot evolves uniquely through modular enhancements, special drops, or mission-based upgrades. The Skin Vial mechanic adds depth to the WorkerBot’s identity and creates a platform for ongoing customization and play.

Materials

The material design of the Autonomous WorkerBot was carefully crafted to emulate the iconic finishes of Rimowa, sleek, brushed surfaces, subtle metallic tones, and structured paneling. This gave the bot a refined, industrial aesthetic that felt both premium and durable, bridging luxury design with functional robotics.

Workerbot
Takeover

To celebrate the launch, we created a fun video where the Workerbots staged a playful takeover of a Rimowa store. We also released AR filters for people to stage their own takeovers.