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Full Service Product Design and Engineering Firm

Design 1st is a full-service industrial design and engineering firm that develops physical products from concept through to volume production.

  • Min project size
    $25,000+
  • Hourly rate
    $100 - $149 / hr
  • Employees
    10 - 49
  • Locations
    Ottawa, Canada
  • Year founded
    Founded 1996
  • Languages
  • Timezones

2 Languages that we service

  • English
  • French

1 Timezone that we service

EST
Eastern Standard Time (EST)

1 Locations

  • Ottawa , Canada

Service Lines
Manufacturing Consulting
5%
Select Focus Area
Industries
Consumer products & services
20%
Medical
20%
Dental
10%
GPS, Navigation & GIS
10%
Legal Cannabis
10%
Other industries
10%
Supply Chain, Logistics, and Transport
10%
Telecommunications
10%
Clients
Small Business (<$10M)
55%
Midmarket ($10M - $1B)
35%
Enterprise (>$1B)
10%
Certified in:
Product Design 3D Modeling & Printing Hardware Design & Development

Pricing Snapshot

Min. project size $25,000+
Avg. hourly rate $100 - $149 /hr
Rating for cost 4.6 /5

What Clients Have Said

Design 1st offers good value for cost, with project investments ranging from $100,000 to over $1.5 million. Clients appreciate their responsiveness and project management, though some mention budget clarity could improve. Overall, they are seen as a reliable partner for various design and engineering projects.

This summary is based on verified Clutch reviews.

Most Common Project Size

$200,000 - $999,999 based on 13 reviews
< $49,999 $50,000 - $199,999 $200,000 - $999,999 > $1,000,000

Select a service to see pricing information

Design 1st Review Insights

Overall Review Rating

4.8
  • Quality 4.8
  • Schedule 4.4
  • Cost 4.6
  • Willing to Refer 4.9

Top Mentions

Review Highlights

  • Comprehensive Support from Concept to Production

    Design 1st is recognized for their end-to-end support, from initial concept design to final production. Their ability to handle multiple phases of product development and engage with manufacturers is a significant asset.

  • High-Quality Deliverables

    Design 1st consistently delivers high-quality designs and prototypes, meeting or exceeding client expectations. Their ability to produce manufacturable prototypes and support production processes is highly valued.

  • Innovative Problem Solving

    Design 1st is noted for their innovative approach to solving complex design challenges. Clients value their ability to provide creative solutions and offer fresh perspectives on product development.

  • Challenges with Budget and Timeline Management

    Some clients noted issues with budget overruns and timeline adherence. While the quality of work is praised, there are mentions of projects taking longer or costing more than initially expected, suggesting room for improvement in estimations.

  • Valuable Client Education and Guidance

    Clients appreciate the educational aspect of working with Design 1st, noting their guidance on best practices and manufacturing considerations, which enhances client capabilities and understanding of the development process.

  • Positive Client Relationships

    Clients often mention the strong, collaborative relationships they have with Design 1st. The team is described as professional, approachable, and invested in client success, fostering a positive working environment.

Design 1st Reviews

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Product Design & Manufacturing for Child Safety Product Firm

  • Other Design
  • $200,000 to $999,999
  • Mar. 2016 - Ongoing
4.5
Quality
4.5
Schedule
4.0
Cost
4.5
Willing to Refer
5.0

“We wouldn’t have been able to get to market without Design 1st”

Mar 26, 2021
Founder, Toddlermonitor
Krista Teare
Verified
  • Other industries
  • Canada
  • 1-10 Employees
  • Phone Interview
  • Verified

Design 1st is helping a child safety product company with design and manufacturing services. The team offers concept and product design. They also provide software design services.

Product Design Services for Mining Technology Co

  • Other Design
  • $200,000 to $999,999
  • Feb. 2017 - Ongoing
5.0
Quality
5.0
Schedule
5.0
Cost
5.0
Willing to Refer
5.0

"We've been very pleased with the team at Design1st."

Jul 2, 2020
COO, GeoSight
Anonymous
Verified
  • Energy & natural resources
  • Ottawa, Ontario
  • 1-10 Employees
  • Phone Interview
  • Verified

Design 1st provided design services to support the development of a new product for a mining technology manufacturer. After creating concept designs and prototypes, they supported assembly and manufacturing.

Hardware & Electronics Redesign for Engineering Company

  • Product Design
  • Hardware Design & Development
  • $200,000 to $999,999
  • Apr. - Dec. 2024
5.0
Quality
5.0
Schedule
4.0
Cost
5.0
Willing to Refer
5.0

"Design 1st had weekly, documented communication and collaboration with our team."

Aug 8, 2025
President, Engineering Company
Anonymous
Verified
  • Other industries
  • Fairfax Station, Virginia
  • 1-10 Employees
  • Online Review
  • Verified

Design 1st redesigned a complex product line for an engineering company. The team was responsible for integrating hardware components and electronics into a smaller, more efficient, user-friendly form factor.

Engineering Consulting & Prototype Design for Manufacturer

  • Engineering Manufacturing Consulting Product Design
  • 3D Rendering
    +4
  • Confidential
  • July 2023 - July 2024
5.0
Quality
5.0
Schedule
4.5
Cost
4.5
Willing to Refer
5.0

"Their innovative approach to problem-solving and passion for engineering and design was impressive."

Aug 6, 2024
Engineer, Tisch Environmental
Gabriele Tisch
Verified
  • Manufacturing
  • Cleves, Ohio
  • 11-50 Employees
  • Online Review
  • Verified

A pollution-monitoring equipment manufacturer hired Design 1st to provide engineering consulting and design services. The team was responsible for creating an air sampler mechanism.

Product Design for Walking Aid Device Manufacturer

  • Manufacturing Consulting Product Design
  • 3D Modeling & Printing
    +3
  • $10,000 to $49,999
  • Jan. 2024 - Ongoing
5.0
Quality
5.0
Schedule
5.0
Cost
4.0
Willing to Refer
5.0

"Design 1st is very intuitive, innovative, and detail-oriented, and their approach is very customer-oriented."

Jul 12, 2024
Marketing Manager, Walking Aid Device Manufacturer
Anonymous
  • Other industries
  • San Francisco, California
  • 1-10 Employees
  • Phone Interview

Design 1st has helped a walking aid device manufacturer design their product to bring their vision to reality. The project has included feasibility assessment, 3D modeling, computer simulation, and prototyping.

Product Design & Prototyping for Life Sciences Company

  • Engineering Manufacturing Consulting Robotics Process Automation
  • Automation Design
    +1
  • $200,000 to $999,999
  • Oct. 2022 - Ongoing
4.5
Quality
4.0
Schedule
4.0
Cost
5.0
Willing to Refer
4.5

"They did a great job dealing with design changes to meet our customers' needs."

Mar 28, 2024
CEO & Founder, Swabbot Solutions, LLC.
Rick Mineo
Verified
  • Other industries
  • Raleigh, North Carolina
  • 1-10 Employees
  • Online Review
  • Verified

Design 1st has created conceptual designs, prototype designs, and manufacturing designs for two products of a life sciences company. These products are a vessel entry solution and an automated swabbing device.

Showing 11-17 of 17 Reviews

Clutch verification provides an additional layer of data to help you make the right purchasing decision of business services.

Learn More
Verified Client Reviews
16
Overall Review Rating
4.8
Source
Clutch
Last Updated
June 24, 2026

Business Entity

Business Entity Name Design1st Inc.
Source Government of Canada Federal Corporation Information
Jurisdiction of Formation Canada
Date of Formation December 16, 1996
Status Active
Last Updated June 29, 2021
ID 885857995RC0001

Credit Report Results

International Credit Risk Assessment Very Low Risk
Source Creditsafe
Last Updated January 1, 2022
Learn More About The Clutch Verification Process

Locations (1)

1840 Woodward Dr OttawaCanada K2C 0P7

31 - 40

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