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Designing Real Products for Real People.

4.9
5 reviews

Prime Studio is an integrated Product + Brand design consultancy based in the heart of NYC. Since 1998 our insights and thoughtful design solutions have been trusted by some of the worlds best brands and startups including Axe, Care/of, Coca-Cola, Harry's, IKEA, MoMA, Tend and Welly.

We work in a wide range of markets, believing that the diversity of application is crucial to maintaining freshness in our ideas and we have experience in Consumer Products, Housewares, Tabletop, Personal Care, Food & Beverage and numerous other areas. 

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$25,000+
 
$150 - $199 / hr
 
2 - 9
 Founded
1998
Show all +
New York City, NY
headquarters
  • 315 W. 39th St. #1101
    New York City , NY 10018
    United States
    +1.212.239.2395

Portfolio

Key clients: 

Harrys, Welly, Henkel, Care/Of, Goby, Axe, Moxie Made

Overview

A short film that LinkedIn made about the Prime Studio design process.

Harry's Image

Harry's

Prime Studio created the product & packaging design and served as manufacturing liaison for the launch of Harry's, a now-iconic brand that has completely upended the shaving industry.

Squish Image

Squish

Prime Studio provided brand creation and Product & Packaging design for Squish housewares, helping them highlight what made them so unique and reach more customer than ever before.

Welly Image

Welly

Packaging design and manufacturing liaison.

Moxie Made Image

Moxie Made

Moxie Made branding and website design.

Axe Detailer Image

Axe Detailer

Product and packaging design and Manufacturing liaison.

Reviews

4.9
5 reviews
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Product Design for Consumer Healthcare Company

“They’re truly an extension of our team and we’re in constant communication.”

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5.0

Quality: 
5.0
Schedule: 
5.0
Cost: 
5.0
Willing to refer: 
5.0
The Project
 
$200,000 to $999,999
 
Apr. 2018 - Ongoing
Project summary: 

Prime Studio provides industrial design services for a first aid lifestyle accessory startup. Their work includes product conception, design optimization, assistance with scale-up, and commercialization.

The Reviewer
 
11-50 Employees
 
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Jason Genske
VP of Product Development, Welly Health PBC
 
Verified
The Review
Feedback summary: 

Prime Studio’s work has met the mark time and time again. Their efforts have yielded an effective product that has been commercially successful. Organization, drive, and flexibility are just a few traits that set Prime Studio apart from its competition.

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 vice president of product development at a healthcare company.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Prime Studio?

We wanted to create a packaging product that transformed first aid into a lifestyle accessory. In order to do that, we needed to integrate design from the very foundation of product development. We built out a partnership of companies and Prime Studio was our industrial design firm from the very conception.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Their design undertaking was two-fold. The first was having iconic and beautiful packaging that could break through on-shelf. Additionally, it needed to provide functional benefits throughout the lifecycle of the product in the consumer’s home and in the medicine cabinet.

The team also helped bring out the product offering, which included the shape and functionality of our bandages, to how they’re presented in the package. They handled everything from conception, design optimization, to assistance with scale-up and commercialization.

What is the team composition?

On average, we work with 2–3 different people at any one time.

How did you come to work with Prime Studio?

We were introduced to them through a creative agency that does our branding, graphic, and creative components.

How much have you invested with them?

We spend $10,000 – $12,000 per month and we have them on retainer. 

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in April 2018, and our work is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The ultimate measure of success are the products that launch and make an impact in consumer’s lives and in the marketplace. Prime has helped us with our initial 25-item launch, and it’s been very successful. We continue to optimize and tweak their offerings.

How did Prime Studio perform from a project management standpoint?

Prime Studio is very well organized and integrated. They’re truly an extension of our team and we’re in constant communication. They flex to meet the capabilities of our company, whether that means detailed project management with rigid schedules or more formal planning with informal conversations. The team always has time to jump on a call with us. Since we’re a startup, we need agility, and Prime Studio delivers on that.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They’re outstanding at creating a product’s artistic elements, as well as its lifecycle and how it interacts with a user. The team is also pretty good at translating that into commercial design and finding a balance between a product’s beauty, functionality, and commercial potential. There are folks that don’t value design as much and they’re missing out.   

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, we’ve been really happy with them. The talent, commitment, and partnership are all there. They’ve been outstanding.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

It’s important to commit. The only way you could be disappointed is if you intentionally limited the scope. Give them a shot, and they’ll bring it home. 

5.0
Overall Score They’ve been a trusted and valued partner since day one.
  • 5.0 Scheduling
    ON TIME / DEADLINES
    They are often the ones pushing the timelines, which has been helpful.
  • 5.0 Cost
    Value / within estimates
    They’ve been fantastic. We get multiple talented designers with a wide range of capabilities.
  • 5.0 Quality
    Service & deliverables
    They’ve hit every deliverable and exceeded our expectations on pretty rapid timelines.
  • 5.0 NPS
    Willing to refer
    I’ve worked with several industrial design firms throughout my career and they are by far the best.

Product Design & Branding for Personal Care Co

"They're experienced and create products at a fair price."

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5.0

Quality: 
5.0
Schedule: 
5.0
Cost: 
5.0
Willing to refer: 
5.0
The Project
 
$50,000 to $199,999
 
Jan. 2017 - Ongoing
Project summary: 

Prime Studio managed design and branding services to support the development of a refillable personal care product. They facilitated ideation, created computer aided design (CAD) files and engineering drawings.

The Reviewer
 
1 - 10 Employees
 
New York, New York
Zach Groffsky
Co-Founder, Helmm
 
Verified
The Review
Feedback summary: 

Prime Studio provided impressive deliverables that enabled a successful product launch and resulted in press coverage for the product’s aesthetic and operational merits. The team is engaged and accessible to ensure effective collaboration. They exceed expectations to ensure an ongoing 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.

I'm one of the co-founders of Helmm. We’re predominantly a men’s deodorant brand but will come out with more personal care products in the near future. 

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Prime Studio?

We tried to come up with a novel concept while retaining the traditional deodorant construct to avoid a massive shift in consumer behavior. Our deodorant container's refillable, which is a novel and innovative concept. The mandate was to reduce product waste and make it more sustainable, functional, and beautiful. 

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Prime Studio helped to ideate, design, and engineer our product. During our first engagement, they delivered CAD files of our design and storyboard concepts. Their team created different ideas for ways to refill the deodorant. Their team took the idea in our heads and turned it into digital and design renderings and then engineer drawings.

We enjoyed the design process, so we expanded our engagement with Prime Studio. Their team created the secondary packaging for our product including shipper boxes and collateral within the shipper boxes.

Prime Studio also influenced early branding. They helped to create the logo and name as well as to establish brand colors and patterns.

What is the team composition?

I've worked with 4-5 people closely over the course of the last couple of years. Their team includes a project manager, a designer, a graphic designer, and Stuart (Founder and Creative Director, Prime Studio). It's a fantastic arrangement.

How did you come to work with Prime Studio?

I found them on a platform where you can look through different design firms and view companies' previous clients. Initially, we were drawn to Prime Studio because of the great companies they helped. We also liked their design work.

We met with 6-7 different design firms. Unlike the others, Prime Studio met us on our vision for the design and the company's future. Our first meeting with them was the biggest factor in our decision. We felt that Stuart only wanted to take on projects led by individuals with whom he could have a great relationship. As well, he wanted projects that he could be successful in supporting. 

How much have you invested with them?

We spent between $100,000-$150,000 on their services.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in January 2017 and the engagement's ongoing. We've engaged Prime Studio on projects that ranged from new product designs to rendering material expirations even though our initial product launched about 2 years ago.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Without them, I don’t think that we would have a functioning product in the marketplace. There are some other refillable deodorant brands out there, but they don’t even touch ours because of Prime Studio.

We were featured in publications such as Forbes and Business Insider, which focused on the beauty and functionality of the product. That's a direct result of Prime Studio's work. We won awards from Men’s Health too.

The product's rated 4.8 stars out of five in customer reviews because customers are happy with it in their hands. We launched in 20 Saks Fifth Avenue stores as well as Saksfifthavenue.com which is the leading luxury retailer in the nation. That wouldn’t be possible without Prime Studio. They are invested partners with design and engineering acumen. 

How did Prime Studio perform from a project management standpoint?

I can’t stress enough how much of a partner they are in all aspects of the engagement. They're responsive and organized, so we never have issues with communication. We're always able to get in touch with each other. They're plugged in with our team and willing to help, which makes them an extension of us.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Unlike other design studios, they feel like a partner rather than a contractor. That’s evidenced not only in their communication but also in their involvement and interest in the success of our company. Prime Studio helped in ways that extended beyond the confines of our agreement. Their team introduced us to vendors and vetted them as well as source materials. They’re consultants, designers, and a partner.

Their design acumen’s unmatched. They're experienced and create products at a fair price. We’ve seen other design firms and Prime Studio is far and away the best choice for project and personal perspective. We’ve never regretted choosing them.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

View Stuart and the whole team as a partner who can help in many ways. If you limit the scope of their project to industrial design specifically, you’ll miss out on great insights into all aspects of a business. Let them plug in with your leadership team because we’ve been happy with their work for other facets of our company. Not to mention that for a company to be successful, there must be synergy across the departments.

5.0
Overall Score We have been very pleased and plan to work with them for many years to come.
  • 5.0 Scheduling
    ON TIME / DEADLINES
  • 5.0 Cost
    Value / within estimates
  • 5.0 Quality
    Service & deliverables
  • 5.0 NPS
    Willing to refer
    I already have recommended them to several others for a variety of projects.

Structural Packaging Projects for Health & Wellness Startup

"Prime Studio have been really strong partners and advisors to us, and we trust their experience and guidance."

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5.0

Quality: 
5.0
Schedule: 
5.0
Cost: 
5.0
Willing to refer: 
5.0
The Project
 
$10,000 to $49,999
 
2018 - Ongoing
Project summary: 

Prime Studio is the structural packaging consultant for a health and wellness startup. They specialize in both original design and partnering to help execute pre-formed visions.

The Reviewer
 
51-200 Employees
 
New York, New York
Director of Product, Health and Wellness Company
 
Verified
The Review
Feedback summary: 

As the go-to structural packagers, Prime Studio has produced work with a high level of expertise and innovation. The team communicates well, and their success has led to a valued partnership. Customers can expect talented, thoughtful designers.

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 Director of New Products at a health and wellness startup. We sell vitamins and supplements. 

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Prime Studio?

We needed support with the structural packaging for our products.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We’ve contracted with Prime Studio for several different projects. 

They’ve been able to create custom packaging for our products on each occasion, including paper and board, glo-molded, and other innovative structural designs. 

What is the team composition?

Our main point of contact has always been Stuart (Founder & Creative Director, Prime Studio). However, on each particular project, there have been a few other people involved, usually a project manager and a number of designers.

How did you come to work with Prime Studio?

We had collaborated with them on an earlier project along with a separate graphic design agency. When we needed strictly structural packaging design, we felt comfortable turning to Prime Studio.

How much have you invested with them?

We typically spend between $10,000-$50,000 on each project.

What is the status of this engagement?

Our first project began in 2018, and our relationship with Prime Studio is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Prime Studio is the agency we turn to when we need any structural packaging support. We’re currently engaged in our fourth project with them, and we really value their partnership and expertise.

They’ve been able to strike a balance between doing ideation upfront and coming up with innovative ideas, and translating and bringing to life some of the rough outlines of ideas we’ve formed ourselves. 

Prime Studio have been really strong partners and advisors to us, and we trust their experience and guidance. 

How did Prime Studio perform from a project management standpoint?

Prime Studio has performed really well. The team communicates efficiently, and if something falls behind for any reason, they’re upfront about it and fix it quickly. I’ve never worked with designers who are as strong and clear in their communication.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Their strong point of view stands out. Particularly, Stuart will often push back against our ideas in a way that’s really effective. We trust the experience and knowledge that inform his insight.

He also has a great ability to keep both consumer understanding and operational understanding in mind with his designs. He doesn’t just consider how the user might interact with the packaging, but how the manufacturer will as well. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

There’s nothing that I can think of. We keep working with them because we really value our partnership with them.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Incorporate as much context into your business and goals as you can. The more information you can give Prime Studio, the better an output they can create.

5.0
Overall Score
  • 5.0 Scheduling
    ON TIME / DEADLINES
  • 5.0 Cost
    Value / within estimates
  • 5.0 Quality
    Service & deliverables
  • 5.0 NPS
    Willing to refer

Brand & Packaging Design for Celebrity Chef Brand

"They are able to understand the essence of a concept, to bring objectivity and expertise to the project."

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5.0

Quality: 
5.0
Schedule: 
5.0
Cost: 
5.0
Willing to refer: 
5.0
The Project
 
$50,000 to $199,999
 
Feb. 2018 - Mar. 2019
Project summary: 

Prime Studio developed a brand design and packaging for a celebrity chef brand. Their team was responsible for developing a website and designing other marketing collateral.

The Reviewer
 
1-10 Employees
 
New York, New York
Judy Zander
President-Accessories, Watch Entertainment-Rachael Ray
 
Verified
The Review
Feedback summary: 

The engagement was successful, receiving an Ace Award for the launch. Prime Studio establishes a smooth workflow through a communicative and collaborative process. The team is understanding and helpful.

The client submitted this review online.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am President of Accessories for Rachael Ray's brand. I oversee several licensees and do business development for various merchandise categories. One of our projects is around business

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Prime Studio?

Prime developed brand design and packaging for Moxie Made #wearemoxiemade our commerce platform showcasing products curated, designed or made by women. The site is also home to Rachael Ray's first ever fashion line, Convalore, a collection of Italian vegetable tanned leather handbags, belts and small leather goods.

What were your goals for this project?

To create branding, marks and content that would convey our message and set Moxie Made and Convalore apart in an overcrowded e-commerce environment.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

I first consulted with Prime in 2014 but wasn't able to secure budget for the project I had in mind. I was so impressed with Stuart and his team I came back first with a business development project still in work and again in 2018 for Moxie Made.

Describe the project in detail.

Build a website (in concert with a web development company) that acts as a platform of Rachael along with the other female collaborators through story telling, editorial content and inspired imagery. Develop packaging and collateral materials that reflect the brands aesthetic and ideals, the subtle promise of everyday luxury.

What was the team composition?

Prime dedicated designers as needed. The team shifted as the project went from phase to phase. Stuart participated and oversaw every aspect of each phase.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

Moxie Made was honored to receive an Ace Award from the Accessories council in April for the Best New Launch.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

The workflow was as smooth as silk. Prime was very responsive and always on time. They were a pleasure to work with, I think we were all a little sad to wrap this project and hope we have need for further work with Prime.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

Initially I was really compelled by their portfolio and the wide range of projects they take on. They are able to understand the essence of a concept, to bring objectivity and expertise to the project. Prime really gets it and helped get us to the right place with each project we worked on together.

Are there any areas for improvement?

Not that I can think of.

5.0
Overall Score I am hopeful to be back with another business development project soon!
  • 5.0 Scheduling
    ON TIME / DEADLINES
    Never a problem-they made themselves available as needed, never kept us waiting
  • 5.0 Cost
    Value / within estimates
    Very fair and never above estimate even when we went over the time estimated
  • 5.0 Quality
    Service & deliverables
    Top notch, visionary designs
  • 5.0 NPS
    Willing to refer
    Very. I've referred them to several other companies.

Product Design & Branding for Men's Cosmetics Company

"We felt the entire time like we were working with people who really, truly knew what they were doing."

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4.5

Quality: 
5.0
Schedule: 
4.5
Cost: 
4.0
Willing to refer: 
5.0
The Project
 
$50,000 to $199,999
 
July 2017 - Jan. 2018
Project summary: 

In addition to creating a brand identity from scratch, Prime Studio was responsible for designing three cosmetic products, secondary packaging for each, and a logo.

The Reviewer
 
1-10 Employees
 
New York, New York
Devir Kahan
CEO, Stryx
 
Verified
The Review
Feedback summary: 

Thousands of units have been sold to date, and customers have complimented the product design for its discreet look. Prime Studio organized a regular feedback process to ensure consistent client input. The team's expertise helped instill confidence in their design talents.

The client submitted this review online.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the CEO and co-founder of Stryx. Stryx is a men's corrective cosmetics brand that enables men to easily and comfortably look their best. We make high quality formulations for men in uniquely designed packaging that is sleek, discreet, and easy to use.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Prime Studio?

We hired Prime studio to design our first 3 products, their secondary packaging, and also to create a brand name and logo.

What were your goals for this project?

We wanted to create products that were manly, sleek, and discreet. Essentially make a cosmetic product that does not look or function like any other female cosmetic product on the market, and do it in such a way that guys would feel comfortable using.

This was no simple task. We also needed to create a brand identity from scratch including a name and logo that fit with what we were trying to accomplish as a brand.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

My co-founder and I searched for quite some time looking at some of the top design firms in NY for this job. We ended up selecting Prime Studio as we loved their past work for Harry's, Goby, Unilever, and many others, and felt they would best suit our needs.

Describe the project in detail.

Every phase of the project went through multiple rounds of exploration. We met to discuss initial project goals, and then, a few weeks later, met again to have a number of directions presented to us. This same pattern repeated throughout the process.

We were able to offer feedback through the design process to guide and steer Prime Studio along the way with our input. We felt this was critical to the final product as we were actively involved throughout the process together with the talent at Prime.

What was the team composition?

We were assigned a project lead / designer, but the head of Prime, Stuart, was super involved as well, and was at just about every meeting we had with them. We really felt like the whole of Prime studio touched our project at one point or another.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

We ended up with products that truly were unique and matched all the criteria we needed. We get comments and compliments all the time talking about how special our product design is. It is what sets us apart from everyone else in the field.

To date, no one else has been able to produce anything close to our offering. Stryx has sold thousands of units to thousands of happy customers with a remarkably low refund rate, which just goes to show how much our customers love our Prime-Studio-designed products.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

We felt it was quite effective. We were sent presentations often via email in advance. We were able to review and offer feedback. Turnaround was timely and consistent.

We always felt like we were being heard and understood, and that we could throw just about all of our thoughts at Prime and be confident that they would filter and distill them as needed.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

Every team member was super, super talented. Everyone we worked with was super professional and had consistently excellent ideas.

We felt the entire time like we were working with people who really, truly knew what they were doing, and so were much more open to following their lead on certain things. There is tremendous talent at Prime Studio.

Are there any areas for improvement?

Everything can always be done a little bit faster, and there were times when communication was a bit lacking as well, but that was the exception, not the rule. Overall, we were extremely happy with Prime Studio's work for Stryx, and have used them for further projects already since!

4.5
Overall Score Top tier design firm with tremendous talent.
  • 4.5 Scheduling
    ON TIME / DEADLINES
    Found it very easy to hold meetings in person at their offices as needed.
  • 4.0 Cost
    Value / within estimates
    No question Prime Studio is quite expensive, but then again, you get what you pay for!
  • 5.0 Quality
    Service & deliverables
    Stellar product design and branding.
  • 5.0 NPS
    Willing to refer
    We've already made the recommendation more than once!