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Design 1st

Design 1st

Verified
5.0 (10 reviews)
Ottawa, Canada
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Proven Product Success

Design 1st is headquartered in Ottawa and ranks among the largest product development firms in North America, turning complicated ideas into physical products that are ready to manufacture. Clients range from early startups to large enterprises. The overwhelming majority of the work is product design, meaning industrial design, CAD modeling and prototyping, with IoT development alongside. Reviewers describe collaborative prototype programmes built around manufacturability, and iteration that is both rigorous and well managed.

Min Project Size

$25,000

Hourly Rate

$100-149

Employees

10-49

Year Founded

1990

Languages

1

Years In Business

36+

Service Focus

Expertise distribution across services.

Pricing snapshot

Most Common Project Size $0 – $1,000,000 Based on 5 reviews
Average Hourly Rate $100-149 per hour
Rating for Cost 5/5

Reviews

Submit Review
The Project
Other Design $200,000 to $999,999 Oct. 2017 - Ongoing
5
Quality 5 Schedule 5 Cost 5 Willing to Refer 5
The Review

Product Prototype Design for R&D Company

“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 adaptab”

2 months ago
Feedback Summary

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.

The Reviewer
K
Kurt Francis Design
Ottawa, Canada 10-49 Verified
The Project
Software Development $1,000,000 to $9,999,999 Oct. 2023 - Dec. 2026
5
Quality 5 Schedule 5 Cost 5 Willing to Refer 5
The Review

Product Design & Engineering for Digital Infrastructure Co

“Design 1st has successfully completed the design milestones and feature development on time. The team demonstrates excellent project management and is highly responsive to the client's needs. Design 1st's professionalism, warm personalities, and extensive”

2 months ago
Feedback Summary

Design 1st provides product design and development services for a digital infrastructure distribution company. The team has created a new power delivery system for wireless telecom applications.

The Reviewer
M
Marc Landry Development
Ottawa, Canada 10-49 Verified
The Project
Manufacturing Consulting $200,000 to $999,999 Jan. 2019 - June 2025
5
Quality 5 Schedule 5 Cost 5 Willing to Refer 5
The Review

Hardware Design & Manufacturing Consulting for Learning Co

“Design 1st delivered multiple iterative prototypes on schedule and provided valuable education and coaching to the client. The team demonstrated excellent project management, was responsive to the client's needs, and communicated progress transparently. D”

2 months ago
Feedback Summary

An educational learning company hired Design 1st to design a custom cellular IoT device. The team was responsible for creating a production-ready hardware prototype for scale manufacturing.

The Reviewer
M
Mike LeBlanc Business Services
Ottawa, Canada 10-49 Verified
The Project
Manufacturing Consulting Confidential Apr. - Dec. 2024
5
Quality 5 Schedule 5 Cost 5 Willing to Refer 5
The Review

LED Housing Design & Manufacturing for Environmental Org

“With Design 1st’s help, the client conducted initial thermal and pressure tests, and the results were highly successful. Design 1st was highly responsive and detail-oriented. The team was professional, trustworthy, and reliable.”

2 months ago
Feedback Summary

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.

The Reviewer
A
Anonymous Business Services
Ottawa, Canada 10-49 Verified
The Project
Product Design Confidential Sep. 2021 - Ongoing
5
Quality 5 Schedule 5 Cost 5 Willing to Refer 5
The Review

Product Design for Device Management Solutions Company

“With Design 1st’s help, the client has managed to build several units of their product — they currently have 55. continue to grow. The team boasts excellent project management capabilities and continues to impress the client with their ability to provide ”

2 months ago
Feedback Summary

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.

The Reviewer
K
Khalid Alzubi Design
Ottawa, Canada 10-49 Verified

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