Design-First

Design-First, now trading as Design 1st from its design1st.com address, is a product design and engineering consultancy in Ottawa, Canada. Kevin Bailey started the firm in 1996, and it develops hardware and connected devices for startups through to large enterprises across North America.

What Design-First offers

• Strategy and industrial design — shaping a product concept and its form.
• Engineering — mechanical and electronics design, including battery, power and touch or gesture interfaces.
• Embedded software — firmware, IoT connectivity, and software test and debug.
• Prototyping and testing — models, prototypes, material reviews and third-party test coordination.
• Sourcing and production — qualifying suppliers, inspecting parts and moving a design into manufacturing.

Who it works with

It serves mining, medical, consumer, telecom, cleantech, smart office, wellness and IoT clients. Named clients include Stanley Healthcare, Medtronic, Ericsson and Christie Digital.

Key facts

• Based in: Ottawa, Canada
• Founded: 1996
• Team: about 35
• Track record: more than 1,000 products, with clients securing over 150 patents
• Quality standard: references ISO 13485 for medical devices