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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.

  • $25,000+
  • $100 - $149 / hr
  • 10 - 49
  • Ottawa, Canada
  • Founded 1996

2 Languages that we service

  • English
  • French

1 Timezone that we service

EST
Eastern Standard Time (EST)

1 Locations

  • Ottawa , Canada

Focus

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    Pricing Snapshot

    Min. project size $25,000+
    Avg. hourly rate $100 - $149 /hr
    Rating for cost 4.5 /5

    What Clients Have Said

    Design 1st offers competitive pricing and good value for cost, with projects ranging from $100,000 to over $1.5 million. Clients appreciate their responsiveness and project management, though some noted challenges with budget clarity and project timelines.

    This summary is based on verified Clutch reviews.

    Most Common Project Size

    $200,000 - $999,999 based on 10 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 4.7
    • Schedule 4.4
    • Cost 4.5
    • Willing to Refer 4.9

    Top Mentions

    Review Highlights

    • Responsiveness and Communication

      Clients frequently mention the team's responsiveness and effective communication as key strengths. Regular updates and open discussions ensure that client needs are met and projects progress smoothly.

    • Innovative Problem Solvers

      Design 1st's innovative approach to problem-solving is frequently noted. Clients value their ability to provide creative solutions and adapt to new challenges, which helps in achieving project goals effectively.

    • Strong Client Relationships

      Clients appreciate Design 1st's professional and collaborative approach. Their transparent communication and vested interest in client success foster strong, ongoing partnerships.

    • Budget and Timeline Challenges

      Some clients experienced challenges with budgets and timelines, noting that projects occasionally exceeded initial estimates. This suggests a need for clearer initial project scoping and budgeting.

    • High Client Satisfaction

      The majority of clients express high satisfaction with Design 1st's work, citing successful project outcomes, increased sales, and effective product launches as evidence of their capabilities.

    • Strong Engineering Expertise

      Design 1st is praised for their engineering skills across various projects, including environmental services, life sciences, and financial industries. Clients appreciate their ability to solve complex engineering problems and deliver functional prototypes.

    Design 1st Reviews

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    All Filters

    LED Housing Design & Manufacturing for Environmental Org

    • Manufacturing Consulting Product Design
    • Confidential
    • Apr. - Dec. 2024
    5.0
    Quality
    5.0
    Schedule
    4.5
    Cost
    4.5
    Willing to Refer
    5.0

    “They are a professional team and highly responsible.”

    Postdoctoral Research Associate, Environmental Services Org
    Anonymous
    • Environmental Services
    • Amherst, Massachusetts
    • 10,001+ Employees
    • Online Review 
    • Verified

    Design 1st designed and manufactured a waterproof LED housing for an environmental services organization. The team created the housing with a glass lens and ensured it was completely waterproof.

    Product Design for Device Management Solutions Company

    • Product Design
    • Confidential
    • Sep. 2021 - Ongoing
    5.0
    Quality
    5.0
    Schedule
    5.0
    Cost
    5.0
    Willing to Refer
    4.5

    "Design 1st's unique ability to have a solution for everything really stands out to us."

    Marketing Manager, Device Management Solutions Company
    Khalid Alzubi
    • Other industries
    • Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
    • 11-50 Employees
    • Online Review 
    • Verified

    Design 1st has helped a device management solutions company create the design of their product. The team handles the whole process, from conceptualization to production. They also help procure prototype parts.

    System Design for Agriculture Equipment Manufacturer

    • Product Design
    • Confidential
    • Sep. - Oct. 2022
    4.5
    Quality
    4.0
    Schedule
    4.5
    Cost
    3.5
    Willing to Refer
    4.5

    "All items were delivered on time and within budget."

    Head of Engineering, Innovative Growers Equipment, Inc.
    Jonathan Pale
    • Manufacturing
    • Sycamore, Illinois
    • 51-200 Employees
    • Online Review 
    • Verified

    Design 1st was hired by an agriculture equipment manufacturer to design an existing airflow system. After examining the materials, they offered recommendations and managed simulation and design.

    Product Design for Personal Care & Beauty Company

    • Other Design Product Design
    • $50,000 to $199,999
    • May 2020 - May 2021
    4.5
    Quality
    4.5
    Schedule
    4.0
    Cost
    4.5
    Willing to Refer
    5.0

    "Their design skills were their strong point."

    Founder, Personal Care & Beauty Company
    Anonymous
    • Consumer Products
    • Dana Point, California
    • 1-10 Employees
    • Phone Interview 
    • Verified

    Design 1st was hired by a personal care and beauty firm to redesign their existing product. They resolved the product's functionality issue, and they supported the client in putting the product on the market.

    Electronic, Mechanical & Firmware Design for Financial Firm

    • UX/UI Design
    • $1,000,000 to $9,999,999
    • Nov. 2016 - Ongoing
    4.5
    Quality
    4.5
    Schedule
    4.0
    Cost
    5.0
    Willing to Refer
    5.0

    "On top of providing conceptualization services, they're capable of providing services up to production support."

    CIO, Founder & Technology Evangelist, Cloud9 Technologies
    Leo Papadopoulos
    • Software
    • Ridgefield, Connecticut
    • 51-200 Employees
    • Phone Interview 
    • Verified

    Design 1st is managing a financial firm's electronic, mechanical, and firmware design projects using embedded systems, C, and C++. So far, they completed two projects and are working on the third one now.

    Food Storage Product Design for Travel Accessories Company

    • Other Design Product Design
    • $50,000 to $199,999
    • Feb. 2018 - July 2019
    4.5
    Quality
    4.5
    Schedule
    4.0
    Cost
    4.0
    Willing to Refer
    5.0

    “Design 1st had a unique approach to problem-solving.”

    VP Sales, Travelway Group International Inc.
    Joseph Assi
    • Manufacturing
    • Quebec, Quebec
    • 51-200 Employees
    • Phone Interview 
    • Verified

    Design 1st designed and developed a food storage product for a travel accessories manufacturer. The team’s work involved creating CAD renderings, 3D models, and multiple design concepts for the product. 

    Luxury Product Development for Adult Toy Company

    • Other Design
    • $200,000 to $999,999
    • June 2014 - Ongoing
    5.0
    Quality
    5.0
    Schedule
    4.5
    Cost
    5.0
    Willing to Refer
    5.0

    "Our working relationship is strong and very collaborative, and we continue to rely on them and their expertise."

    Head of Customer Care, Zumio Inc
    Anonymous
    • Consumer Products
    • Ottawa, Ontario
    • 1-10 Employees
    • Online Review 
    • Verified

    Design 1st has developed a luxury product for an adult toy firm. Currently, they guide the firm in marketing and manufacturer collaborations. The team has also organized and implemented user testing programs. 

    Product Development & Engineering for Biotech Company

    • Custom Software Development Other Design
    • $200,000 to $999,999
    • Feb. 2021 - Ongoing
    4.5
    Quality
    5.0
    Schedule
    3.5
    Cost
    4.0
    Willing to Refer
    5.0

    "Their creative, product design, and mechanical engineering services also stand out."

    Founder, Biotech Company
    Anonymous
    • Healthcare
    • Boston, Massachusetts
    • 1-10 Employees
    • Phone Interview 
    • Verified

    Design 1st is designing and developing a wearable biotech product. They're responsible for the physical design and aesthetics of the product, as well as the electrical engineering of the sensors.

    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”

    Founder, Toddlermonitor
    Krista Teare
    • Consumer Products
    • 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.

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

    Learn More
    Verified Client Reviews
    13
    Overall Review Rating
    4.8
    Source
    Clutch
    Last Updated
    February 5, 2025
    Business Entity
    Business Entity Name Design1st Inc.
    Source Government of Canada Federal Corporation Information
    Jurisdiction of Formation Canada
    Date of Formation December 15, 1996
    Status Active
    Last Updated June 28, 2021
    ID 885857995RC0001
    Credit Report Results
    International Credit Risk Assessment Very Low Risk
    Source Creditsafe
    Last Updated December 31, 2021
    Learn More About The Clutch Verification Process

    Locations (1)

    31 - 40

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