Building a prototypes is critical to successful product development. To do it right, you need a process to build, test, and iterate with multiple prototypes. At Design 1st, we have three major stages of prototyping new products including: Looks-Like Prototype Works-Like Prototype Tests-Like Prototype By understanding each of these major prototype stages you will be able to set realistic goals for your product development and discover cost-savings along the way.

Prototype costs can range from a $100 to upwards of $30,000 for high fidelity connected devices.   Video: Reasons why we prototype 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.   So, why do YOU want a prototype?   If you ask any of the recent people we talk to, many will have a different answer. Some […]

Canada's Taken Charge of Innovation in Wearables Montreal, Toronto and Ottawa - 3 cities you could visit in one day...driving in a car! But they're close in more ways than just distance. Each of these cities boasts a growing Hardware Startup and Wearables Community where entrepreneurs, startups and established companies are jumping head first into the growing wearables industry. This growth has lead to 10 Canadian hardware startups based on wearable technology Some of these wearable startups have become industry-leaders and others have grown obsolete. Discover each of these wearable […]

Published in March 2021. Public health is a top priority in 2020. Communities and individuals are focused on stopping the spread of harmful viruses. Governments are stepping in to help, offering financial and regulatory support to bring new hardware devices to market fast.  Companies are contacting Design 1st to support the country-wide health initiative. Here are seven hardware trends we see developing in 2020, including product examples from our clients.

Ways to fund your physical product startup: Funding is critical to the success of any new physical product development project. It’s one of the key ingredients on top of a great idea, a talented team, and a tight product-market fit that every company needs to push forward to market.   Physical product development is a cash flow business, necessary to get to market, manufacture, ship to customers, and scale your sales. Over 25 years, Design 1st has seen 1000+ physical product development projects move from concept to manufacturing. Each of these projects navigated funding challenges.    To help you […]

Watch Design 1st clients pitch their hardware product ideas on CBC's Dragons' Den Over the past several years, Design 1st has had multiple clients pitch their product ideas on Dragons' Den.  These products have included everything from pot light covers to fitness equipment, toddler monitors to ice cream makers, dog showers and humidifiers. Watch some of our favorite client appearances on Dragons' Den below: