Design Professionals: Insights & Resources

Best Industrial Design Consulting Services in Canada

Ryan Stevens
September 10, 2025
All Insights
Design Professionals: Insights & Resources

Best Industrial Design Consulting Services in Canada

Industrial Design Consultants in Canada

When it comes to creating products that not only function flawlessly but also resonate with users on a deeper level, Canada has become a hub for innovative industrial design consultancies. From Toronto to Vancouver, these firms are shaping industries with designs that combine creativity, engineering excellence, and a clear understanding of market needs.

This article is a curated, research-driven, and client-reviewed list of standout industrial design consulting services in Canada — the agencies and consultancies delivering real results for clients across sectors.

Methodology: How We Chose These Canada-based Industrial Design Consulting Services

We didn’t just search “best industrial design firms” and call it a day. Every company featured here was chosen through a rigorous selection process:

🔍 Research-driven: We verified public results, studied case studies, reviewed frameworks, and confirmed their design track records.

💬 Client-reviewed: We analyzed client feedback for evidence of proven ROI, successful launches, and product impact.

📍 Location-based: We focused on agencies and founders rooted in Canada, actively operating within the country’s industrial design ecosystem.

This means you’ll find no generic praise here — only specifics that prove why each firm stands out.

🌟 Canadian Industrial Designers - Provider Spotlights

Momentum Product Design

What they do

Momentum Product Design specializes in product design and development with a focus on high-performance engineering and ergonomic excellence. They work across industries from consumer goods to healthcare, delivering end-to-end solutions from concept to manufacturing.

Who they work with

Primarily industrial, medical, and consumer product companies seeking innovative product solutions that are both manufacturable and market-ready.

Operating model

Momentum takes a deeply collaborative approach, integrating client teams into the design process while leveraging advanced CAD modeling and prototyping capabilities.

💡 Why they stand out:

🛠 Proven track record in bringing patented products to market.

👥 Strong integration of human factors engineering into every design.

📈 Documented case studies showing increased market share for client products.

Colin Roberts, Owner & Senior Designer of Momentum Product Design

Colin Roberts brings decades of industrial design experience, with a background in mechanical engineering and product lifecycle management. Known for leading multidisciplinary teams, Colin has overseen projects that have successfully scaled from prototypes to full-scale manufacturing. His leadership style focuses on precision, client collaboration, and measurable product impact. He’s recognized in Canadian design circles for turning complex technical challenges into elegant, market-ready solutions.

Brash Inc.

What they do

Brash Inc. is a strategic design consultancy that blends branding with industrial design to create cohesive product experiences. They design everything from electronics to furniture, with a heavy emphasis on aesthetics meeting function.

Who they work with

DTC brands, consumer electronics companies, and lifestyle product manufacturers looking to differentiate through design-led innovation.

Operating mode

Brash combines brand strategy with industrial design, ensuring products are consistent with broader brand positioning.

💡 Why they stand out:

🎯 Unique fusion of branding and product design for market cohesion.

🖌 Award-winning designs recognized in Canadian and international competitions.

🧪 Strong user-testing frameworks to validate design decisions.

Rohan Thakar, Managing Partner & Industrial Design Lead of Brash Inc.

Rohan Thakar’s career bridges both industrial design and brand development, making him a rare hybrid leader in the space. With over 15 years in the industry, he has helped brands launch products that don’t just sell — they build lasting emotional connections with customers. His leadership is known for its vision-first approach, ensuring every product has a compelling story behind its form and function.

Richard Beranek, Ph.D., Managing Partner & Engineering Lead of Brash 

Richard Beranek specializes in turnkey product and software development. With expertise in medical devices, robotics, and AI, he combines hands-on engineering with leadership to deliver innovative solutions from concept to market.

Aliasgar Morbi, Ph.D., Managing Partner & Engineering Lead of Brash Inc.

Aliasgar Morbi specializes in mechatronics, AI, and IoT. A Forty Under 40 honoree, he has led the development of 25+ medical, consumer, and industrial products, fostering a culture of curiosity and innovation to bring bold ideas to market.

Inertia

What they do

Inertia is a full-service product development firm that covers industrial design, mechanical engineering, electronics, and manufacturing. They specialize in turning ambitious ideas into commercially successful products.

Who they work with

Startups, scale-ups, and established manufacturers in industries from medical devices to consumer electronics.

Operating model

Inertia uses a structured “Idea to Product” system, covering strategy, prototyping, and supply chain setup in a single, integrated workflow.

💡 Why they stand out:

🚀 Proven process from concept to manufacturing under one roof.

💡 Expertise in designing for regulatory compliance in medical and industrial sectors.

🔄 Agile development approach that adapts quickly to market feedback.

Ray Minato, Founder & President of Inertia

Ray Minato brings a background in mechanical engineering and decades of leadership in product commercialization. Under his guidance, Inertia has developed award-winning products used globally. He is known for his systems-thinking approach, ensuring every step of the design process aligns with business goals and market realities.

Fig40

What they do

Fig40 blends industrial design with strategic innovation, focusing on sustainable and socially impactful products. Their portfolio spans furniture, appliances, and public space solutions.

Who they work with

Corporations and institutions committed to design as a driver for sustainability and user wellbeing.

Operating model

They take a human-centered design approach, using deep research into how products interact with real-world environments.

💡 Why they stand out:

🌱 Strong commitment to sustainable materials and manufacturing practices.

🧩 Expertise in designing for public spaces and high-use environments.

📚 Recognized thought leaders in Canadian design conferences and publications.

Lee Fletcher, Co-Founder of Fig40

Lee Fletcher’s career is built on merging creativity with social responsibility in design. He has led projects that not only perform in the market but also address environmental and community needs. Known for his thoughtful, research-driven leadership, Lee has influenced how Canadian designers think about sustainability and impact.

Terence Woodside, Co-Founder of Fig40

Terence Woodside is a Designer and Partner at fig40 with a background in Mechanical Engineering from Queen’s University. With experience in automotive and furniture manufacturing, he combines technical insight with design vision to create products that balance creativity, practicality, and market relevance. At fig40, Terence focuses on bridging design, engineering, and manufacturing to turn concepts into meaningful, better products.

Advanta Design Group

What they do

Advanta Design Group offers industrial design, engineering, and prototyping services, with a focus on manufacturability and market fit.

Who they work with

Industrial manufacturers, consumer goods companies, and tech innovators seeking functional, production-ready designs.

Operating model

Their process blends front-end creative exploration with back-end production engineering to ensure market-ready deliverables.

💡 Why they stand out:

🔧 Deep manufacturing knowledge to streamline production.

📏 Precision-driven prototyping capabilities.

🏆 Strong client retention rate due to practical, on-budget delivery.

Kent Davidson, President & Founder of Advanta Design Group

Kent Davidson has built his career on the belief that great design is manufacturable design. With over two decades in industrial design and product engineering, he’s helped clients reduce production costs while improving product quality. His style emphasizes practical innovation, ensuring clients see both creative and commercial value.

Humanscope

What they do

Humanscope is a product development and innovation firm that designs with empathy, focusing on how users truly interact with products.

Who they work with

Companies in consumer goods, healthcare, and industrial tools aiming for high usability and customer satisfaction.

Operating model

They integrate user research into every design decision, ensuring products are intuitive and desirable.

💡 Why they stand out:

👂 Extensive user-testing protocols.

🛠 Ability to translate user insights into actionable design improvements.

📊 Clear ROI metrics tied to usability enhancements.

Steve Copeland, Founder & Design Director of Humanscope

Steve Copeland has a long track record of leading teams that bridge engineering and empathy. Known for championing user-first design thinking, Steve ensures that products are as functional as they are user-friendly.

Cortex Design

What they do

Cortex Design is an award-winning product design firm specializing in medical devices, consumer electronics, and connected products.

Who they work with

Healthtech companies, IoT startups, and consumer electronics brands.

Operating model

They focus on research-driven design and advanced prototyping to reduce time-to-market.

💡 Why they stand out:

🧠 Strong emphasis on regulatory and technical compliance.

📈 Proven results in speeding up product launches.

🏅 Multiple industry awards for design excellence.

Dylan Horvath, Founder & CEO of Cortex Design

Dylan Horvath is known for merging deep technical expertise with creative design leadership. His team has launched products that have improved patient care and enhanced user experiences across industries.

Tungsten Collaborative

What they do

Tungsten Collaborative delivers industrial design, product engineering, and strategic innovation for clients ranging from startups to global corporations. They focus on developing products that excel in performance, manufacturability, and aesthetics.

Who they work with

Medical technology companies, industrial manufacturers, and consumer brands that need high-quality, production-ready designs.

Operating model

Tungsten operates with a “design for manufacturing” mindset, integrating production considerations from the earliest stages of concept development.

💡 Why they stand out:

🏭 Deep manufacturing partnerships across Canada and North America.

🔄 Iterative prototyping and feedback cycles for faster market readiness.

📐 Strong track record in both complex engineering and market-driven design.

Dave McMullin, Founder & VP Design of Tungsten Collaborative

Dave McMullin brings over 25 years of product development experience, with a career spanning medical devices, industrial machinery, and consumer products. Known for balancing creative design vision with technical practicality, Dave has helped clients minimize production risks while maximizing market impact. His leadership is rooted in hands-on collaboration and a deep respect for the manufacturing process.

ANCORD Design Co

What they do

ANCORD Design Co is a boutique industrial design consultancy specializing in high-end consumer products, lifestyle goods, and premium brand collaborations. Their work blends craftsmanship with market-ready innovation.

Who they work with

Luxury goods brands, lifestyle startups, and niche product manufacturers looking for standout, visually compelling products.

Operating model

ANCORD adopts a highly bespoke design process, working closely with clients to translate brand ethos into physical products.

💡 Why they stand out:

🎨 Exceptional focus on aesthetics and tactile quality.

🧩 Seamless integration of brand identity into product form.

💼 Experience with limited-edition and small-batch manufacturing for exclusivity.

Alex Nagel, Founder of ANCORD Design Co

Alex Nagel has built a career around creating designs that feel as good as they look. With experience in industrial design and brand collaboration, he’s worked with companies that value both innovation and heritage. His leadership style emphasizes storytelling through design, ensuring every detail reinforces the brand’s narrative.

SurfaceID Industrial Design Corp.

What they do

SurfaceID specializes in industrial design, product engineering, and development with a strong emphasis on ergonomic solutions and visual impact. Their portfolio spans consumer electronics, medical devices, and sports equipment.

Who they work with

Companies in healthcare, sports, and consumer technology seeking innovation with a human-centered approach.

Operating model

They combine industrial design expertise with mechanical engineering, ensuring concepts are production-feasible without sacrificing style.

💡 Why they stand out:

🧠 Deep user-centered research driving product ergonomics.

🛠 Expertise in integrating advanced materials into consumer-ready products.

🏅 Consistent recognition in design competitions for form-meets-function excellence.

Sean Kieley, Founder & President of SurfaceID

Sean Kieley’s professional background includes over two decades of experience designing for both startups and global corporations. He is recognized for his ability to solve complex usability problems through intuitive design solutions. His leadership style blends engineering rigor with creative exploration, leading to products that perform well in both market and user adoption metrics.

Design Excellence Shaping Canada’s Future

Canada’s industrial design consulting sector is a hub for innovation, blending creativity with engineering precision to deliver products that perform in the market. Firms in this space excel by integrating user-focused research, manufacturability, and brand alignment into their processes. Their work spans industries from healthcare to consumer goods, often supported by rigorous prototyping and regulatory compliance. Many operate with specialized approaches, whether that’s sustainable materials, aesthetic refinement, or agile development cycles. Collectively, these consultancies set a high standard for product impact, client collaboration, and measurable results.

At Digital Reference, radical authenticity drives every feature, ensuring insights are rooted in verifiable facts and meaningful outcomes. This commitment strengthens trust, giving decision-makers clarity when choosing partners that align with their vision.

Explore more from Digital Reference — dive into insights designed to help you navigate the evolving landscape of talent, operations, marketing, and finance with confidence.

Building Products with Purpose

Industrial design consultancies in Canada are redefining how products connect with their users and stand out in competitive markets. Their ability to blend form, function, and strategy is what makes their work not just visually striking, but commercially effective. Whether your focus is sustainability, market positioning, or accelerated product launches, there’s value in learning from their approach. For deeper guidance and curated insights into finding and working with the right partners, explore the trusted resources available at Digital Reference.

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