Name: Design 1st
Address: 1840 Woodward Dr, Ottawa, Canada, ON, K2C 0P7, CA
Telephone: (877)235-1004
Price range: $100 - $149
Rating: 4.8

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

Service Lines

Product Design: 85%
IoT Development: 15%

Select Focus Area

Product Design Focus

3D Modeling & Printing: 35%
Hardware Design & Development: 35%
Computer Aided Design (CAD): 30%

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%

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 competitive pricing with projects ranging from $100,000 to $1.5 million. Clients praise their value for cost and project management, though some noted budget clarity issues. They deliver quality results through effective communication and responsiveness.

This summary is based on verified Clutch reviews.

Most Common Project Size

$200,000 - $999,999 based on 12 reviews

< $49,999 $50,000 - $199,999 $200,000 - $999,999 > $1,000,000

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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

Budget and Timeline Challenges

Some clients noted that projects occasionally exceeded initial budget estimates and timelines. While the quality of work remained high, clients expressed a desire for more accurate initial budgeting and scheduling.
Valuable Educational Guidance

Design 1st provides valuable educational guidance to clients, particularly those with limited hardware experience. Their coaching on best practices and design considerations is highly appreciated by clients.
High Client Satisfaction

Overall client satisfaction is high, with many clients expressing a willingness to work with Design 1st again. Their professional attitude, technical expertise, and ability to deliver successful products contribute to positive feedback.
Excellent Project Management

Clients frequently highlight Design 1st's project management skills, noting their ability to deliver on time, communicate effectively, and manage client expectations. Regular meetings and clear documentation contribute to their effective management approach.
Responsive and Communicative Team

Design 1st is praised for their responsiveness and clear communication. Clients appreciate the team's ability to adjust to feedback, provide regular updates, and maintain open channels of communication throughout the project lifecycle.
Successful Product Launches

Several clients have successfully launched products with Design 1st's support, citing increased sales and positive market feedback. This demonstrates the company's ability to create market-ready products.

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Design 1st Reviews

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Other Design
$200,000 to $999,999
Oct. 2017 - Ongoing

5.0

Quality: 5.0

Schedule: 5.0

Cost: 5.0

Willing to Refer: 5.0

"The team is able to make good forward progress independent of micromanagement."

Aug 17, 2020

CTO, Molecule

Kurt Francis

Other industries
Ireland
1-10 Employees
Phone Interview
Verified

Design 1st is collaborating with the internal team to design prototypes for atmospheric water generators. The team is structuring them to ensure a seamless transition to high-volume production.

Design 1st’s respect, professionalism, and patience have made for a strong and enjoyable working relationship. The team’s breadth of talent allows them to meet business needs, and they are able to work independently to produce results. They are an adaptable partner who delivers as promised.

A Clutch analyst personally interviewed this client over the phone. Below is an edited transcript.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the CTO at Molecule, an international R&D-based company.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Design 1st?

We were looking for rapid product and prototype development.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Design 1st is working with us to engineer prototypes for atmospheric water generators that can be brought into high-volume production at some point. I came to them with the material, a challenge, and what I thought would be a good design.

I then worked with their team to go through and validate or optimize the design ideas that we had and to build up the first prototypes. The team is also interfacing with our manufacturing groups to ensure a seamless transition from a prototype into high-volume production.

What is the team composition?

I typically communicate with their project manager and VP of engineering. At any one time, we have up to 5–8 teammates working on our project.

How did you come to work with Design 1st?

When I started looking for a design group, I knew that our products needed a broad base of experience. When I went through all of the products that Design 1st had brought to market, all of them had something that we needed.

I knew they had the skill sets that I needed. When I met them, it felt like we were a part of the family. They were also honest and transparent.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent north of $500,000 so far.

What is the status of this engagement?

We began working with them about a year and a half ago, in about the fall of 2017.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?

Design 1st interfaces directly with high-volume manufacturers and R&D groups, and in both cases, there’s a lot of respect. The feedback I get from the people they interface with is always positive. They are professional and patient.

How did Design 1st perform from a project management standpoint?

They have a deep bench of talent, and we have a fluid and dynamic relationship. They meet my needs with a fairly large team of people even though I only pay when I need them, so I get a lot of bang for my buck.

Changing and adapting is what Design 1st is good at, and they do their work with a positive mindset and attitude. Their communication is very good. They are flexible enough to go on any meeting cadence that I need.

The team is able to make good forward progress independent of micromanagement. If something is going to change the scope of the project, the team immediately reaches out and provides us with recommendations.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Design 1st actually delivers. I’ve worked with a few other groups before them, and those other groups often deliver what you didn’t ask for. This team has good internal communication between the different groups to make sure that there’s a good handoff.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, I have no suggestions. I can’t imagine a better working relationship than what we have with them.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Allow them to have the freedom to influence your design. This team is creative and innovative, so as long as you’re willing to listen to them, your product development project will be even better.

RATINGS

5.0

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

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.

Design 1st delivered precise designs that resulted in the production of functional prototypes. Expediting the project’s completion, the team encouraged progress and effectively managed tasks to ensure timely deliverables. Their communicativeness and meticulousness ensured a successful partnership.

A Clutch analyst personally interviewed this client over the phone. Below is an edited transcript.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

We’re a mining technology manufacturer called GeoSight. We make technology for the mining industry all around the world.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Design 1st?

When we brought on Design 1st, we needed to design a new product.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Their scope encompassed the entire project. They created concept designs and prototypes. Then, their team assembled the product and helped us put together the first prototype units.

We’re at the end of the project, so we're tidying up loose ends. We plan to manufacture the product soon.

What is the team composition?

The Geosight team worked together with Design1st and their engineering team. They've been an extension of our company since the start of the project.

How did you come to work with Design 1st?

We looked online for local design offices and they were based in Ottawa, which isn't too far from us. What caught our attention was the array of projects they were a part of, one of them being a mining scanner that they had developed. We figured they had experience with the restrictions and challenges of our industry.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent close to $300,000 CAD (approximately $220,000 USD) on this project.

What is the status of this engagement?

The project started in February 2017, and it’s almost complete.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?

The finished working prototype is our evidence of their involvement in this project. We are this far along because their team was timely on deliverables and kept us on track. Once we reached the prototype stage, we could see the light at the end of the tunnel and knew our product could finally go into full production.

How did Design 1st perform from a project management standpoint?

We mostly communicated via e-mail but also had weekly meetings through video conferences. If it weren't for Design 1st, the project would’ve been more delayed. Prior to our engagement, the project dragged for two years. Once Design 1st came on board, we had weekly meetings to make sure the project was on schedule. Their team was on task. They also pushed us for information to ensure their team met benchmarks.

What did you find most impressive about them?

A few things stand out, including their knowledge, flexibility, creativity, and attention to detail. If there was anything they thought could pose an issue in the future, they would address it promptly.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Not really. We've been very pleased with the team at Design1st.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Be specific about what you want from the project. Try not to change your goals constantly.

RATINGS

5.0

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

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.

Design 1st's efforts resulted in a complete hardware and electronics redesign of two products, and the client was pleased with the positive user feedback they received. Design 1st maintained weekly, documented communication and collaboration via video calls and email throughout the engagement.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the president of an engineering company. We design and manufacture testing systems for large capital assets.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Design 1st?

We needed a redesign of a very complex product line.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Design 1st integrated the load frame and extensive electronics into a much smaller and efficient form factor that would be user-friendly for applications in extreme environments.

What is the team composition?

We worked with four teammates from Design 1st.

How did you come to work with Design 1st?

We found Design 1st through an online search. We interviewed a few other firms and found Design 1st to be the most knowledgeable and straightforward.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent $300,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked together from January–December 2024.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?

Design 1st delivered a complete hardware and electronics redesign of two products. User feedback has been quite positive.

How did Design 1st perform from a project management standpoint?

We communicated via video calls and email. Design 1st had weekly, documented communication and collaboration with our team.

What did you find most impressive about them?

We were impressed with their weekly, documented communication and collaboration.

RATINGS

5.0

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

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.

Design 1st provided a BOM, 3D models, and vendor and alternative component options. The team was responsive and communicative throughout the project. Design 1st's experience in various industries provided a fresh viewpoint to the project. They communicated via virtual meetings, emails, and messages.

The client submitted this review online.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Engineer of Tisch Environmental

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

We make and sell air pollution sampling and monitoring equipment

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Design 1st to accomplish?

Select design style
Choose and test design components
Build a prototype

SOLUTION

How did you find Design 1st?

Online Search

Why did you select Design 1st over others?

High ratings
Great culture fit
Company values aligned

How many teammates from Design 1st were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

Designing and building a prototype of a sequential air sampler mechanism. This mechanism needed to be robust and dependable. It needed to properly store used filters and sequence through new filters without jamming or interfering with the samples.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

We were given:

a full BOM of the mechanism
detailed 3D models
vendor options
alternative component options

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

Both Phil and Sergio were highly responsive. They were quick to respond to emails, were clear and concise, they let us know where they were with the project each step of the way. Meetings were scheduled weekly through Zoom. Meeting notes were organized and easy to follow.

What was your primary form of communication with Design 1st?

Virtual Meeting
Email or Messaging App

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

Their innovative approach to problem-solving and passion for engineering and design was impressive. Also the experience they have in so many different industries brought a fresh viewpoint to the project.

Are there any areas for improvement or something Design 1st could have done differently?

RATINGS

5.0

Manufacturing Consulting Product Design
3D Modeling & Printing
$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.

Design 1st has delivered an excellent first-round prototype, showing attention to every detail of the product and resulting in a high-quality outcome. The team communicates well, delivers ahead of schedule, and is customer-oriented. Moreover, their knowledge and innovation are outstanding.

A Clutch analyst personally interviewed this client over the phone. Below is an edited transcript.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I'm in charge of doing marketing for a walking aid device manufacturer. We're a family-operated business, but we don't have an established company yet because we first wanted to make sure that our product was feasible.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Design 1st?

We hired Design 1st to help us with product design.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Initially, we worked with Ian (VP of Sales), who talked with us about the importance of marketing a product and whether ours would be a viable product. When we started, he wasn't sure they could take on the product we wanted to create, so he wanted to ensure we weren't wasting our money or our time. Throughout that process, Ian was able to assess the viability of our product, which we really appreciated. Ultimately, they decided to take a chance.

After that, we met Matthew (VP of Engineering) and Derek (Senior Industrial Designer) to discuss the product's viability and a lot of different details. There were a lot of iterations on how to work around some of the concerns we had about the product.

From there, Design 1st helped us with the product 3D modeling, and they also did a computer simulation to test the effectiveness and strength of this product as another way to check its viability. The team also talked to us about the cost and presented us with suppliers.

After the product modeling, Design 1st created a prototype. Eventually, changes needed to be made, but Derek had already noticed those needs before we brought them up, so he started doing research. With our help, he was able to hit the ground running to make the needed improvements. Currently, we're still working on making some changes.

What is the team composition?

We've worked with Ian, Matthew, and Derek.

How did you come to work with Design 1st?

I found them through a Google search.

How much have you invested with them?

We've spent around $40,000. The total cost of the project will be close to $50,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We began working with them in January 2024, and the project is still ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?

Design 1st has delivered an excellent first-round prototype for our product. Everything has been carefully labeled and exactly as we were told it would be regarding the packaging and the assembly needed to be done. Overall, their work has been of very high quality.

How did Design 1st perform from a project management standpoint?

Design 1st communicates excellently and has delivered ahead of schedule. We've done a lot of Zoom meetings because we communicate weekly that way. We also communicate via email for anything that we can't accomplish through Zoom. Moreover, whenever I need to give them a call, Derek is always available to answer my calls.

Are there any employees from the service provider's team that you would like to give a shout-out to in this review?

I want to give a shout-out to Derek.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Ian has been a really helpful and knowledgeable sales representative. Matt and Derek are fabulous team members, and I've enjoyed working with both of them. They've both been in charge of very different and very important parts of the design process.

Design 1st is very intuitive, innovative, and detail-oriented, and their approach is very customer-oriented. Even though we have zero product design background, they've been able to break things down in a digestible and understandable way so that we can also help. Our engagement has truly become a collaboration.

Design 1st's expertise is design, but our process has been led by the desires and vision of the product's inventor, my father. Throughout the project, the team has always deferred to my father's vision to stay in line with it. Still, they've been very cognizant of what's possible and what the practical applications of my father's vision are, and they've been very respectful when discussing what's not possible.

The team has always been willing to see what they can do by being very innovative about finding ways to make our vision a reality. Overall, I've had a very positive experience working with them, so I would absolutely refer them to anyone looking for product design.

Are there any areas they could improve?

We haven't been thrilled by the fact that they use UPS for their product shipping. When clients like me are anxious to receive a product, UPS isn't the best way to go. However, that's our biggest complaint.

Do you have any advice for future clients of theirs?

Do your own research beforehand and understand that the Zoom meetings are billable. You need to be really cognizant of the questions you'll ask and be very clear about the importance of the collaboration.

RATINGS

5.0

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

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.

Design 1st has successfully delivered conceptual designs, prototypes, and manufacturing-level drawings for the client. The team keeps the client updated and is great at addressing change requests to meet their needs. Moreover, their quick work pace and responsiveness are outstanding.

The client submitted this review online.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the CEO and Founder of Swabbot Solutions, LLC.

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

Develops products for the life sciences industry

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Design 1st to accomplish?

Develop production ready tank access system
Finalize swabbing robot design
Develop benchtop version of robot

SOLUTION

How did you find Design 1st?

Online Search

Why did you select Design 1st over others?

Pricing fit our budget
Good value for cost

How many teammates from Design 1st were assigned to this project?

6-10 Employees

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

Scope 1: Conceptual Design, Prototype design, and Manufacturing Design of a device that allows 6 degrees of freedom for vessel entry.
Scope 2: Conceptual Design, Prototype design, and Manufacturing Design of a automated swabbing device for remote and benchtop applications.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

Conceptual Design - 3D drawings
Prototype Design - Working Prototypes
Manufacturing Design - Manufacturing level drawings and Build of Materials.

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

In general, yes. Some delays occurred due to part shipping or design changes. They did keep me up-to-date on any changes to schedule. They did a great job dealing with design changes to meet our customers' needs.

What was your primary form of communication with Design 1st?

Virtual Meeting

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

Quick response to design changes or feature expansion.

Are there any areas for improvement or something Design 1st could have done differently?

Setting and reporting budget vs. spend. This was hard to follow and changes were not always understood from a budgeting point of view.

RATINGS

4.5

"Overall impression based on service, project management and cost."

Showing 11-16 of 16 Reviews

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Verified Client Reviews: 15

Overall Review Rating: 4.8

Source: Clutch

Last Updated: August 8, 2025

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

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Locations (1)

1840 Woodward Dr Ottawa, Canada K2C 0P7

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Design 1st

Full Service Product Design and Engineering Firm

2 Languages that we service

1 Timezone that we service

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Services

Focus

Industries

Clients

Pricing Snapshot

What Clients Have Said

Most Common Project Size

Select a service to see pricing information

Reviews

Design 1st Review Insights

Overall Review Rating

Top Mentions

Review Highlights

Budget and Timeline Challenges

Valuable Educational Guidance

High Client Satisfaction

Excellent Project Management

Responsive and Communicative Team

Successful Product Launches

Reviews mentioning:

Design 1st Reviews

Product Prototype Design for R&D Company

BACKGROUND

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

SOLUTION

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

RATINGS

Product Design Services for Mining Technology Co

BACKGROUND

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

SOLUTION

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

RATINGS

Hardware & Electronics Redesign for Engineering Company

BACKGROUND

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

SOLUTION

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

RATINGS

Engineering Consulting & Prototype Design for Manufacturer

BACKGROUND

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

SOLUTION

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

RATINGS

Product Design for Walking Aid Device Manufacturer

BACKGROUND

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

SOLUTION

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

RATINGS

Product Design & Prototyping for Life Sciences Company

BACKGROUND

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

SOLUTION

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

RATINGS

Portfolio & Awards

Verification

Business Entity

Credit Report Results

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