A product design company is a company that helps businesses create, develop, and refine products that address user needs or solve specific pain points, all while aligning with the brand's goals and market demands. It brings together a team of product designers, strategists, and engineers to guide brands through every stage of the product design and development process, from strategy and market research to prototyping, design, and manufacturing. Their goal is to create user-friendly products that deliver meaningful, positive user experiences.

Historically, product design primarily focused on tangible products like electronics, furniture, and cars. However, as technology has advanced and consumer expectations have evolved, its scope has significantly broadened, and now encompasses all types of products, including digital ones. Modern product design firms address complex challenges, including functionality, accessibility, and sustainability. 

Product design companies bridge the gap between creativity and practicality, combining artistic vision with technical expertise to develop innovative products that are attractive to consumers. 

A product design company provides the following services:   

• Market research
  Analyzing consumer needs, market trends, and competitors to inform product development 
• Product strategy and design 
  Defining the product vision, goals, and roadmap while creating designs that align with brand and market objectives 
• UI/UX design  
  Designing intuitive and user-friendly interfaces to enhance the digital product experience 
• Product packaging 
  Creating functional and visually appealing packaging that reflects the brand and protects the product 
• Industrial, digital, and graphic design  
  Designing physical products, digital platforms, and visual branding elements with a cohesive aesthetic 
• Art direction 
  Overseeing the visual and creative aspects of the product to ensure consistency and appeal 
• Product innovation 
  Developing groundbreaking ideas and solutions to address emerging consumer needs and market gaps  
• 3D product visualization 
  Creating realistic 3D renderings to visualize the product before production  
• Mechanical engineering 
  Ensuring product’s functionality, durability, and ease of manufacturability through detailed and precise engineering  
• Prototyping 
  Building physical or digital models to test and refine product concepts  
• Sourcing and manufacturing support  
  Assisting in choosing materials, suppliers, and production methods to bring the product to market 

Some product design firms help their clients with patenting and marketing of the products. In addition to the above services, some companies can offer services, such as branding, consulting, digital marketing, eCommerce marketing, and more. 

Product design costs can vary significantly depending on multiple factors. Simpler designs generally cost less than complex, intricate ones, and the overall cost is influenced by the product type and the level of detail required. The top 50 product design companies on DesignRush charge an average of $85/hour. 8.7% of agencies accept budgets under $1,000 for small-scale projects or basic services, while 4.4% require a $50,000+ budget for large-scale or complex design and engineering projects. 

Below are the average costs associated with different types of product design projects:   

Location is also a big factor in the costs. Here's how much these specialized product design firms per region charge for their services: 

Aside from project types and location, other factors that affect these prices include:  

• Project size, complexity, and number of product features  
• Testing and QA requirements  
• Supporting services, maintenance, and updates  
• Compliance with regulatory requirements  

You should hire a product design company because it uses a design thinking approach to create exceptional products. Its team combines technical expertise with creative vision to deliver a seamless customer experience, enhance brand recognition, and boost productivity and customer satisfaction. 

By understanding both the mechanics and user needs, product design experts create user-centered solutions that are both functional and intuitive. They think outside the box to develop innovative approaches, ensuring thorough testing and validation to optimize product performance.  

Hiring product design firms can give you a competitive advantage because they: 

• Bring specialized expertise and years of experience in creating successful products across a range of industries 
• Are proficient in areas like mechanical engineering, UI/UX design, and prototyping  
• Minimize costs and reduce risks by optimizing design and production processes to avoid costly mistakes  
• Use data analytics and market insights to inform design decisions and drive product strategy 
• Offer innovative ideas and solutions to address unique business challenges and market demands 
• Prioritize user experience by designing products that are intuitive, functional, and aligned with customer needs  
• Accelerate the development process, enabling faster time-to-market for your product  
• Provide end-to-end support through every stage of the product lifecycle 
• Ensure brand alignment by creating products that reflect your brand identity and resonate with the target audience 
• Stay informed on industry standards, regulations, and safety requirements 

Success story 

We chose this case study to highlight how human-centered product design can enhance consumer experiences by addressing their evolving needs and preferences, while also providing significant benefits to the business: 

• Challenge: Central Garden & Pet (CG&P) needed to improve the packaging, storage, and application of herbicides, pesticides, and fertilizers. Its existing systems were inefficient and resulted in negative experiences for both consumers and the environment. 
• Solution: Delve collaborated with CG&P to design two new, innovative products, with smarter packaging and user-friendly designs: 
  • Amdro PowerFlex Watering Can with built-in concentrate dispenser 
  • Ortho Dial & Spray Hose-End Sprayer with a dial for easy selection of different concentrates 

These redesigned systems addressed usability and sustainability concerns by offering a more convenient and mess-free experience. 

• Results: The Amdro PowerFlex launch surpassed expectations, with an initial order of 25 million units — more than double CG&P’s forecast. Both products are available at major retailers like Home Depot, Lowe's, Walmart, and Amazon.com, and are seeing strong sales. 

Choose the best product design agency by following these steps:  

1. Product specifications 
   Specify the product and its features, who will buy and use it, what consumer problem it will solve, and what you want to achieve with it.  
2. Research 
   Evaluate the capabilities and specialized services of potential partners on online directories like DesignRush. 
3. Initial assessment 
   Check their portfolios, design process, and development strategies. Also, look up and validate client reviews.  
4. Shortlist and RFP 
   Based on industry expertise and successful projects, trim your list to up to five qualified firms. Provide a product design request for proposal (RFP) to shortlisted candidates.  
5. Interviews 
   Arrange meetings where you can discuss the proposals in detail. Inquire how they will validate the new product's desirability and viability and establish its unique position on the market. If you have existing products, ask about their auditing process to guarantee brand alignment.  
6. Deliverables and QA 
   Discuss the delivery of wireframes and prototypes, product testing, and feedback collection processes. Learn about the materials and labor quality necessary for your product’s success.  
7. Policies 
   Understand their guidelines on intellectual property and confirm you will own all rights to your product. Request access to technologies used in the project, your rights to the technology, and the costs that come with it. This is crucial for future product design updates. For example, the agency may use proprietary software for the design.  
8. Team capacity 
   Ask about the design experts, engineers, and data analysts who will work with you.   
9. Final assessment and decision 
   Select an agency partner based on the proposals and interviews 

If you need help finding a product design firm for your business, visit our Marketplace and tell us about your requirements. We will recommend five companies that perfectly match your project — completely free of charge. 

Use DesignRush's advanced filters to find the best product design company within your budget. Customize your search by selecting budget ranges from $1,000 to over $50,000. 

Explore our agency directory to browse profiles based on location, expertise, client reviews, industries served, team size, and hourly rates. Compare product design companies in detail to find the perfect match for your project. 

Key success metrics used by product design companies include the following: 

• Customer satisfaction 
  Measures how well the product meets or exceeds user expectations, often gathered through surveys or feedback 
• Retention rate  
  The percentage of users who continue to engage with the product over time 
• Conversion rate 
  The percentage of users who complete a desired action, like making a purchase or signing up 
• Abandonment rate 
  The percentage of users who start a task (like a checkout) but do not complete it 
• Daily and monthly active user count 
  The number of unique users that engage with the product daily or monthly 
• Session duration 
  The average time users spend interacting with the product in a single session 
• Number of user actions per session 
  How many actions (clicks, views, etc.) a user performs during a session 
• Task success and time 
  Evaluates how easily users can complete tasks and the time it takes to do so 

Watch out for these red flags when hiring a product design firm to make sure you're working with a capable and reliable partner: 

• No clear process 
  Avoid product design companies that can't clearly outline their design process, as that could lead to disorganized project management and missed deadlines. 
• Limited or inconsistent portfolio 
  Don't choose companies with a weak portfolio or inconsistent quality of previous work because that may indicate a lack of experience or expertise in your industry or product type. 
• Unresponsive communication 
  Steer clear of a product design firm that is unresponsive to your inquiries or fails to communicate clearly because that’s a sure sign of poor collaboration skills. 
• No focus on user experience (UX) 
  Avoid firms that don't prioritize user-centered design as they will produce products that fail to meet the needs of your target audience. 
• Overpromises and unrealistic timelines 
  Be cautious of firms that promise overly optimistic outcomes, timelines, or costs, as this could be a sign of inexperience or dishonesty. 
• Lack of transparency in pricing 
  Don't hire a product design firm if it's hesitant or vague about providing clear and upfront pricing because this could lead to hidden costs and budget overruns. 
• Limited post-launch support 
  Beware of firms that don’t offer ongoing support or guidance after the product is launched because you might struggle with troubleshooting, manufacturing, or future iterations and you’ll need an expert to solve the problem. 
• Poor reputation or negative reviews 
  Beware of product design companies with poor reputations or negative reviews from previous clients. Always research testimonials, case studies, or independent reviews before proceeding. 
• No understanding of your industry or market 
  Reject the firm if it doesn't demonstrate a deep understanding of your industry or the specific needs of your target market because it may struggle to create a relevant, impactful product. 

Make sure to ask these key questions when hiring a product design company: 

Its Relevant Background 

1. How long has your company been in the product design industry? 
2. What industries or sectors do you specialize in? 
3. How large is your design team, and what are their areas of expertise? 
4. What are some of your most successful product design projects? Can you walk us through the process and the outcomes?  
5. Can you share a portfolio of your previous clients and the types of products you've designed for them?  
6. What certifications or awards has your company received?    
7. What types of materials are you most familiar working with?   
8. What tools and technologies do you use for design and development? 

Its Services and Processes 

1. What services do you offer beyond product design, e.g., prototyping or engineering? 
2. Can you outline your typical design process, from initial concept to final product?  
3. What prototyping methods do you use, and how do you ensure that prototypes accurately represent the final product? 
4. How do you test and validate your designs to ensure they meet functional and aesthetic requirements? 
5. How do you ensure collaboration and communication with clients during the project? 
6. How do you evaluate design ideas, methodologies, and product usability?   
7. How do you create user personas? How about mapping out user journeys?   
8. What product and failure analysis services do you offer?   
9. What factors ultimately influence which product functionalities and features to include? 
10. Do you have experience working with manufacturers to bring products to market? 
11. How do you manage the manufacturing process? 
12. How do you handle intellectual property rights and confidentiality during the design process? 

Relevant to Your Project 

1. What is your experience in designing products similar to ours? Can you provide specific examples? 
2. How familiar are you with the industry my product is intended for? 
3. Who will be our point of contact and account manager?   
4. Can you design my product to adapt to future technological advancements and changing user needs? 
5. What is the turnaround time for key decisions, prototyping, and final product delivery?   
6. How will you assist us in running a trial once the product is ready? 
7. What milestones and deliverables can I expect throughout the project? 
8. Can you assist with post-design support, such as production or troubleshooting? 
9. Can you accommodate tight deadlines or last-minute changes in scope? 

These are the best product design companies in the US: 

1. Speck Design 
   • 4.3 on DesignRush (1 reviews) 
   • 4.9 on Google (12 reviews) 
   • Top clients: Cherry Valley Gardens, Wieber Lumber, Good Time Pizza & More, MOO-ville Creamery 
2. Apptension 
   • 4.7 on DesignRush (18 reviews) 
   • 4.8 on Google (20 reviews) 
   • Top clients: Netflix, Uber, Spotify, Heineken, LESS_ 
3. Design 1st 
   • 4.6 on DesignRush (3 reviews) 
   • 5.0 on Google (6 reviews) 
   • Top clients: NASA, Lifepod, SkyX, vSculpt, CablePrep® 
4. Delve 
   • 4.8 on DesignRush (5 reviews) 
   • 4.3 on Google (12 reviews) 
   • Top clients: Google, Amazon, Dexcom, Weber, Audio Technica 
5. MAKO Design + Invent 
   • 4.3 on DesignRush (1 review) 
   • 4.5 on Google (8 reviews) 
   • Top clients: Go Fish, PetBot, Moonlite, CarGenerator, CNCT Coolers