Smallfry

Smallfry is a strategic industrial design agency founded in 1971, headquartered in Wolston, United Kingdom. The agency has worked with customers across consumer, medical, and industrial sectors, providing services that combine design and engineering knowledge with consumer insights and market research. Smallfry's stated goal is to design what the customer wants by understanding them deeply.

The agency operates with a team of under 49 employees and has a minimum project budget of $10,000 to $25,000, with an average hourly rate of $140. Key leadership includes CEO Steve May-Russell, who has led the company since 1986, and Head of Sales Kelly Myall-Chance, who has been with Smallfry for 11 years. The agency's long history demonstrates stability and deep industry experience.

Smallfry's core services include product design, package design, and market research. Their areas of expertise cover engineering design and industrial design. The agency has delivered notable portfolio projects such as the Hoover HL5 Push&Lift (industrial design, 12 months, $500K-$1M), the Steripod UV Toothbrush Clip (industrial design, 4 months, $20K-$100K), the Cytecom Diagnostic Device (industrial design, 9 months, $20K-$100K), and the Trio Motion-PLC (engineering design, 28 months, $250K-$500K).

The agency serves a wide range of industries including consumer goods, health care, dental, electronics, fashion, manufacturing, retail, and corporate services. Their client types span startups, small businesses, medium businesses, and enterprise or corporate organizations. Notable clients include Haier, Hoover, Perrigo, Boots, Joby, Wordpay, Marks & Spencers, BIC, Shark, and Nidec.

Smallfry holds a 5.0 Google rating from seven reviews. Clients consistently highlight the team's professionalism, collaborative approach, and ability to turn simple ideas into successful products. Reviewers specifically mention the agency's expertise, responsiveness, thorough research process, and the guidance provided throughout the product development journey. One client noted that Smallfry's input helped shape a strong, user-focused foundation for their end product.

The agency's portfolio demonstrates results across both industrial and engineering design projects, with budgets ranging from $20K to over $1M and timelines from 4 to 28 months. Smallfry has also received industry recognition, including a Good Housekeeping award. Their combination of long-standing experience, consumer-focused methodology, and cross-sector expertise makes them a suitable partner for companies seeking end-to-end product development support.