Product design buyers resource - choosing a company

track record
Can you see that they have the full range of skills for your project, and have they used them successfully for other people? For example, will the production engineering be handled in-house or at the factory, or do you need the design company to handle it? Do you like the results of their past projects?

personality
The product design process can be long, and involve much negotiation and compromise between several different parties. Choosing designers with too much ego, or with too little experience, can make it a frustrating experience.

cost
It makes sense to obtain several quotes, but you should carefully compare a detailed breakdown of the quotes you are given – different companies may be suggesting different amounts of work. There may be nothing wrong with this; product design is a complex process, and the most efficient and effective route through it should be discussed.

If the success of your new product is a priority, and it warrants being visually and functionally sophisticated, then it would be prudent to invest in a comprehensive development program for it.