Furniture? Automotive work? The sky’s the limit for Razer… if the head of design can have his way

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Razer offers an extensive range of gaming products and accessories, and they’re constantly expanding into new areas. I recently had the chance to interview the company’s Global Head of Design, who is involved in every product launch.

I spent most of my time with Charlie Bolton learning about how Razer designs and creates all their products as a team. He also gave me a preview of the Razer Kraken Kitty V3 Pro, which I got to try out. Since I had a full hour with him, I used the last part of our conversation to talk about some ‘what if’ scenarios and future possibilities.

This article isn’t really about Razer as a company, but about the creative vision of the person leading its design team. It explores what the head of design hopes to achieve, beyond just creating laptops, keyboards, and other gaming accessories.

This interview has been edited for readability and to correct any grammatical errors. Razer did not review or approve the content before it was published.

Discussing the favorites of what Razer already does

As an analyst covering Razer, I recently spoke with Charlie Bolton, a veteran of over five years at the company. I was curious about his favorite Razer designs, and his immediate response surprised me. He revealed he’s actually been using – and clearly enjoys – the Razer Blade 15 Studio all this time.

He said the Razer Blade 15 Studio is remarkably durable, even after five years. He explained that the Blade line showcases Razer’s commitment to quality and meticulous design.

Razer Blade laptops are known for their sleek, classic look, and the new Razer Blade 14 (2025) I tested might be their best model yet. However, they’re very expensive, so they’re not a practical choice for most people.

Bolton then highlighted his preferred gaming headset, the Razer Barracuda X Chroma. He admitted it wasn’t a top-of-the-line model, but praised its reliability and performance. He also shared his enjoyment of headphones in general, noting they allow for more creative expression.

I also tested the Razer Barracuda X Chroma. While it didn’t become my top gaming headset, I was impressed with its design. It’s Razer’s most stylish and portable headset yet. Overall, I think Razer really excels at making great headsets.

The Razer BlackShark V3 Pro, which I also tested, showcases this trend well, particularly with its innovative magnetic side panels. I discovered during the first part of this conversation that these panels were initially introduced to comply with new rules in the European Union, but Razer’s designers are now enthusiastic about the creative opportunities they offer.

We really like the customizable faceplates on the [Razer BlackShark V3 Pro], and anything that lets us get creative with designs,” Bolton explained. “I’d like to see even more options for personalization, like swapping out headbands, materials, and ear cushions. The Kraken Kitty version, with its interchangeable ears, is a good example of what’s possible.”

I’ve mentioned this to Bolton directly, but I want to reiterate it publicly: Razer, please continue focusing on making your products more customizable and easy to use. User-friendly customization is a huge plus.

We truly challenge ourselves with concept projects-those where we have complete creative freedom and aren’t limited by any specific requirements.

Charlie Bolton, Razer Global Head of Design

Razer is also exploring new opportunities through partnerships and licensed projects. According to Bolton, these collaborations are exciting because they combine Razer’s established identity with the unique perspectives of other brands.

You know, talking to the Razer design team, it’s clear they *really* get excited when they can just let their imaginations run wild. As Bolton explained to me, they thrive on those open-ended projects where they aren’t constrained by practical limitations. It’s when they can truly push boundaries and explore completely new ideas – and you can feel their passion when they talk about it!

Razer often showcases experimental projects, and I was able to try out their innovative Project Arielle gaming chair at CES 2025 – it actually featured both cooling and heating! According to Razer’s Bolton, these projects are more about exploring possibilities than immediate production. He added, “They’re really fun to develop.”

If there were no limits, though, what could Razer do?

I naturally asked Bolton about any exciting projects he had in the works, and he gave me the predictable, teasing answer: he mentioned a couple of them were high-quality, but wouldn’t share any details.

I wasn’t able to get much detailed information from Bolton, but I did ask him about his future plans. We both agreed that Razer needed a new version of the popular Raptor monitor we enjoyed back in 2021.

If we’re doing a whole battle station of products, you need a monitor.

Charlie Bolton, Razer Global Head of Design

I’m hoping Razer makes another Razer Raptor monitor. As Bolton explained, if they’re building a complete gaming setup, a monitor is essential. We discussed how creating a monitor is harder for Razer than for companies like Dell or HP that already offer many displays. However, if Razer’s head of design supports developing a high-end, OLED version of the Raptor, there’s a real possibility it could happen.

We then explored more ambitious ideas. Bolton mentioned the possibility of extending technology beyond just chairs to include desks and complete setups, envisioning something as innovative as the Razer Project Sophia we showcased at CES.

Razer is expanding its range of gaming chairs, and while their Project Arielle includes some interesting tech, it would be fantastic to see them create something on the scale of Project Sophia – the modular desk they unveiled at CES 2022.

After I mentioned Secretlab’s great Magnus desks and admitted I struggle with keeping cables organized, Bolton said he was looking for a really effective and stylish cable management solution.

I would love to do a bit of automotive work with a car company or even a racing team.

Charlie Bolton, Razer Global Head of Design

But Bolton has a bigger ambition: he’d love to collaborate with a car company or a racing team like Formula One. He envisions working with their advanced technology – things like carbon fiber production – to create something truly innovative. He hasn’t had the opportunity to do that yet, but it’s a goal he’s passionate about.

Many companies partner with car brands – Razer, for example, released a limited-edition Blade 16 Lamborghini laptop in 2023 – but Bolton wants to take these collaborations further. He believes brands should be involved much earlier in the design process, becoming a core part of the project from the beginning.

I’m not sure what would come of truly close teamwork between design and engineering, or if it’s even realistic, but I hope Bolton gets the opportunity to experience that kind of collaboration someday.

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2025-09-17 15:12