Freelance product design studio

Inventors, startups, small consumer brands and manufacturers that need a new product or an update to an existing one.

Fixed fee per project stage (concept, CAD, prototype support) or a day rate. Some designers add a small royalty on top of fees.

• 3D CAD modelling
• Sketching and visual communication
• Knowing how products are manufactured
• Clear communication with clients and suppliers

• Check intellectual property ownership in your contracts, and consider advice from a lawyer or patent agent for client inventions
• Professional liability (errors and omissions) insurance is worth checking, especially for products people will use or wear
• Check whether your municipality requires a home-based business licence
• Register for GST/HST once revenue passes the small supplier threshold, and check any provincial sales tax rules
• Product safety and certification rules (for example for electrical or children's products) are usually the client's responsibility, so make that clear in writing
• Income can be uneven early on, so avoid depending on a single client

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $1,500 to $7,000 CAD, depending on the CAD software, computer and prototyping tools you choose. Your setup will vary with the kinds of products and clients you plan to take on.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $1,500 to $7,500, depending on how many projects you take on and what you charge. Income can be uneven early on, so avoid depending on a single client.

Check intellectual property ownership in your contracts, and consider advice from a lawyer or patent agent. Also check professional liability insurance, any home-based business licence, GST/HST registration, and make product safety responsibilities clear in writing.