Companies With In-House hardware product development
Many companies have internal R&D teams that require external expertise to design specific elements of a new product development project. Often, there is a new part, new process or new technology that your in-house design team needs to integrate, and it requires specialists to avoid costly learning mistakes.
We provide that expertise for you.
We Help Companies Solve Product Design and Development Challenges
We help companies overcome a wide range of product development challenges, including helping you find low-cost and time-efficient ways to get a specific part of your product designed. Here are some of our speciality capabilities:
- Brainstorming
- Product Refresh
- Technical Expert Help
- Cost and Value Analysis
- Design for Manufacturing Analysis
- Research and Testing
- Legacy Portfolio Planning
- New Technology Integration
Clients value our vast experience across many technologies and product development processes.
We help secure hard-to-find parts through our established supplier network which enables you to achieve differentiated product that users and buyers embrace.
Our design strategy, industrial design and engineering specialists are brought into the process early, to provide guidance on critical configuration decisions in specific areas of a new product design.
We have many years of early-stage product planning and fit easily into the marketing strategy, user needs, requirements setting and product portfolio discussions, adding value in the areas where your team has uncertainty.
Projects We Have Done for Companies That Have an In-House Development Team
Explore projects we have helped develop for companies with in-house design teams.
Our Product Development Process
Companies who chose Design 1st to help fulfill a part of the product development.
Companies WITH in-house hardware product development
Our Expertise
Through integrating with your team, we get quickly up to speed, adapt to your processes, and provide innovative solutions to your product development challenges
Product Design Strategy
By sharing our skills, talent and network of partners, we are committed to the success of your world class manufacturable product.
Rapid Experimental Prototypes
By sharing our skills, talent and network of partners, we are committed to the success of your world class manufacturable product.
Reliable Engineering Solutions
By sharing our skills, talent and network of partners, we are committed to the success of your world class manufacturable product.
Electronics Design and Wireless Connectivity
By sharing our skills, talent and network of partners, we are committed to the success of your world class manufacturable product.
Award-Winning Industrial Design
By sharing our skills, talent and network of partners, we are committed to the success of your world class manufacturable product.
Component Sourcing and Supplier Strategy
By sharing our skills, talent and network of partners, we are committed to the success of your world class manufacturable product.
Product Packaging Design
By sharing our skills, talent and network of partners, we are committed to the success of your world class manufacturable product.
Manufacturing Set up
By sharing our skills, talent and network of partners, we are committed to the success of your world class manufacturable product.
What Companies Needing In-House Product Development Say About Working With Design 1st
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Richard Mineo CEO, Swabbot Solutions LLC 
Design 1st Exceeds Expectations in Responsiveness
Read Case StudyDesign 1st took our Cobot from initial concept through final product testing, handling electrical, mechanical, software, and manufacturing needs all in one team. They efficiently developed our tank access system, finalized our swabbing robot, and created a benchtop version, keeping us updated and responding quickly to every change request.
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George Tsintzouras Director of Product, Christie Digital 
Immediately understood what was needed
Read Case StudyWhen we wanted to transition our older generation projector models to a more modern look and feel, Design 1st was a valuable asset. Given the depth of their design and engineering experience, Design 1st immediately understood what was needed. They worked with our internal engineering team through the process to provide us with compatible solutions to meet our needs.
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Stephen Rayment VP Engineering, Ericsson 
Our trusted engineering partner for six years
Read Case StudyDesign 1st has been our trusted industrial design and mechanical engineering partner for over six years and they have proven themselves to be valuable, competent and committed to our success. They add value because they understand the tradeoffs between user value and cost, the need to balance both the business and product objectives, along with excellent knowledge of materials and manufacturing / tooling options.
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Mike Tettenborn VP Engineering, Caframo 
Right balance of art and engineering
Read Case StudyWe selected Design 1st because their designers and engineers demonstrated the right creativity and technical understanding. With their CAD and modelling tools they were able to address the numerous design challenges encountered with this type of product. The end result was an easy-to-install, powerful marine hatch fan – unlike any on the market.
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Kurt Francis Co-Founder, CTO, Molecule 
Deepest bench of technical talent
Read Case StudyI did a lot of due diligence on product development companies and Design 1st had the deepest bench for technical capability. They worked on such a broad range of products with successful commercialization. Design 1st’s early efforts in prototype development helped us move from a powder substrate into a commercial product for testing.
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John Lupton Director of Engineering, GeoSight 
Got up and running fast
Read Case StudyThe whole design was my idea and I had patents on them. The team’s main work was to solve the functionality issue of a piece of my design. On top of that, they helped identify one of our manufacturers.
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Didi Horn CTO, SkyX 
Exceeded Our Expectations
Read Case StudyThe Design 1st team exceeded our expectations and helped us deliver an exceptional product to the market. As a startup, we were working within a budget but expected the highest quality product. Design 1st identified the risks up front, had the vast network of partners to find the right components, and customized it to meet our unique needs.
We Service Other Types of Organizations
COMPANIES OR STARTUPS
Without a development team
ENTREPRENEURS
Need to develop your new idea?
Our Unique Approach
Our designers, engineers and product specialists provide you a fast, professional path from concept ideas to your first product sales.
We Recognize Your Ownership
It is your idea, your product, your patents, and your awards. We provide critical guidance to drive your project forward and get our motivation from your success.
Communication is Critical
Our process centres on close collaboration with you and your team. We invest in the best tools to collaborate remotely with you on design concepts and engineering details.
Tools to Save Time and Money
We invest in the most sophisticated tools for design, product visualization, engineering analysis, in-house prototyping, and manufacturing support.
Talented People Work Together
Our multi-functional design and engineering team works closely together with you to find solutions that work. Our manufacturing team guides our design choices.
Reduce Design Risk
Our Lean Product Design Process is based on rapid iterations to produce concrete ideas and tangible prototypes that can be viewed, assessed, tested, and refined.
Pride in Your Success
By sharing our skills, talent, and network of partners, we are committed to the success of your world-class manufacturable product as you move to market.
Portfolio of Projects
Across every industry, our team excels at developing technically complex projects.
Helpful Resources
How Much Do Prototypes Cost?
One of the most common questions we get is how much does a prototype cost to make? This is a tricky question, as prototypes can be free or cost upwards of $100,000. It all depends on why you want a prototype.
Top 12 Ways to Fund Your Product Development
Funding is critical to the success of any new physical product development project. To help you secure funding for your product development project, we have put together a list of the top sources
6 Types of Prototypes Every New Product Must Do
Prototyping helps remove design risks and leads to successful product outcomes. Here are the 6 types of prototypes every successful physical product does
Finalizing Your Design Concept and Reducing Manufacturing Risk
The knowledge and expertise to Successfully guide you through Product Development from Concept to Manufacturing. Designed and Done Right – the 1st time.