1.877.235.1004

The Design 1st Team

Design 1st started in 1996 and offers an integrated team of industrial designers and mechanical engineers that work closely together to provide product design for multinationals and start-up ventures. The senior team has a strong project management background and 25 years working worldwide with creative people, techniques and tools required for successful and innovative new product development.

We are available through email at or at the contact numbers below:

Photo of Kevin Bailey

Kevin J. Bailey
Founder and President
613-235-1004 x225

Kevin Bailey is a Mechanical Engineering graduate from the University of Waterloo (1984) with a Professional Engineer designation. Kevin is a creative, experienced designer and a proficient Project Manager. He sets up all Design 1st’s projects and oversees clients’ programs through the design, development and prototyping phases. Kevin started with Nortel Networks in 1984 and worked from the outset in design departments, developing his skills in new product creation and development programs and working with manufacturers around the world. Since founding Design 1st the successful completion of hundreds of programs have given him access into many local and global industries that are involved in the creation of leading-edge design processes and products.


Photo of Neal Cowan

Neal Cowan
Director, Industrial Design
613-235-1004 x223

After graduating from Carleton University’s School of Industrial Design, Neal Cowan has a wide array of experience working in many product categories. At Nortel during the 80’s and 90’s Neal worked on forward-looking multi-disciplinary teams creating everything from exploratory user-value product concepts for phones, to developing infrastructure portfolio designs for optical networks. In addition, his design consultancy work has spanned many markets, working on products from digital projection to medical devices, signage and pet care.


Photo of Ian Kayser

Ian D. Kayser
Director, Operations
613-235-1004 x228

Ian Kayser has owned and operated businesses for more than 20 years. Ian completed a BSc in computing, followed by a MBA degree at Clemson University in South Carolina. Often the first member of the team our clients meet, Ian is an avid listener, always probing and learning as much detail and information as possible from each potential new client. A strong voice in our company for the customer, he communicates with clients weekly. The business development and client interface efforts are in addition to Ian’s responsibilities of ensuring the smooth operations of the company. .


Design Community

Building a reputation for professional physical product design requires creating trusted working relationships with leading design companies and research innovators in many technical fields. Over time, Design 1st has built partnerships with a network of companies and specialist contractors - a community that understands the objective of providing value to the customer and moving quickly from research to a realistic development plan and then a workable product solution.

Our clients appreciate our ability to bring in technical experts to ensure we de-risk unknowns and get the right component, product, process and manufacturing solution to meet their specific needs.  In the start-up phase of a company the Ottawa Center for Research and Innovation (OCRI) and government agencies Ontario Centers of Excellence (OCE) and National Research Council (NRC) connect teams with resources and R&D funding.  Planning Design 1st contracts with Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP) and Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED) programs in mind may help fund the new product development.  Once we understand your opportunity we can direct you to the right people to talk to.

A graphic model of a typical design creation and development cycle

Get involved with companies that bring knowledge and experience to your opportunity.  With a senior team advising you the development plan has lower risk and the product achieves a faster time-to-market. 


Call Us toll free at 1.877.235.1004 and let us introduce you to our extended team identified by role in this table. We will connect you to potential companies and contractors that suit your specific requirements.

Design 1st

  • Product Industrial Design
  • Mechanical Engineering Design
  • 3D CAD Engineering Analysis
  • Product Packaging & Graphics Design
  • Product Research Stimulus Materials
  • Intellectual Property Identification
  • Prototype Model Build and Coordination
  • Design Engineering and 3D CAD Assembly
  • Custom Part Tooling Selection and Review
  • Drawings - Part and Assembly Documentation
  • Quality and Engineering Change Documents

Extended Research Team

  • Product Use Research
  • Early Concept Verification
  • Statistical Analysis
  • Human Factors Engineering - Ergonomics
  • Hardware Architecture Design
  • User Interface Simulation Prototyping
  • Portable Display Interface Design
  • Product Software Architecture Design
  • Intellectual Property Patent Planning
  • Acoustics, Vibration and Noise Design
  • FEA - Thermal / Stress / Flow Analysis

Extended Design Team

  • Hardware Design, Development, Layout
  • PCBA Build, Test and Small Lot Run
  • User Interface Specification
  • Software Development and Testing
  • UL / CSA / CE / NEBS Test Coordination
  • FDA / FCC / Regulatory Coordination
  • Acoustics, Vibration and Noise Testing
  • Thermal / Stress / Flow Verification

Going to Production

  • Making Prototypes in Low Volume
  • Making Product in Low Volume
  • High Volume Production Support
  • Off-The-Shelf Component Sourcing
  • Custom Component Sourcing
  • Prototype Supplier Introductions
  • Contract Manufacturer Introductions
  • Onshore and Offshore Suppliers

Larger Programs

We have strong collaborative design relationships to assist more diverse programs.

  • FIDUS Systems – Electronics Hardware Design and Product Development
  • Macadamian – Software Design and Product Development