Strategists, designers, and engineers on a mission to solve critical challenges

What makes us special to work with

Reveal insights that lead to demand

Our sweet spot is digging deep to discover the key insights around consumer needs and wants - that ultimately inform solutions that drive higher demand.

Approachable, direct and transparent

From day zero to launch, we meet with our partners to review, debate, solve, and make decisions in real-time. This brings critical product knowledge into our design process and ensures clear understanding of our design development.

Creative and pragmatic

This is the core of who we are - design and engineering. We are wildly creative and at the same time disciplined and pragmatic in our approach. It's a balance or a combination of the two that produce the best outcomes.

Track record of success

Our diverse project experience, and the sheer volume of projects that have made it to market is unmatched. Many of our creations have gone on to become huge market hits.

Measuring our impact

1000

Projects

Our industry-defining projects set the standard for end-to-end innovation that transforms markets and drives client success.

700

Patents

We push boundaries and lead technological advancements across industries, shaping the future of innovation.

325

Awards

Rest assured, our work is celebrated globally for its excellence and impact.

25

Years of Innovation

Since 1999, we’ve been shaping the future, creating breakthrough products and experiences that redefine industries.

1999 - 2001

Getting Our Start

A new Industrial Design and Mechanical Engineering consulting firm called Whipsaw was founded on July 21, 1999, by Dan Harden and Bob Riccomini in San Jose, California. Acer, Cisco Systems, and Creative Labs are Whipsaw's first clients. Dan was previously President of Frog Design and Bob was Director at Silicon Graphics.

Whipsaw grows from consumer electronics to include biotech and medical device experience with the launch of Dynatherm post-surgery recovery device, Dionex Chromatography system, and Optovue Retina Scanner. A partnership with Stanford and Reuters leads to the design and development of a digital dirt bike that delivers internet access and medical services for communities in developing countries. Whipsaw founder, Dan Harden, is featured as a “Master of Design” by Fast Company.

Whipsaw came into its own with a multitude of exceptional products and a new brand identity. The Adiri Baby Bottle achieved an unprecedented feat by sweeping every international design award, collecting five Gold awards. Known for an audacious approach, Whipsaw secured its position among the “Top 5 Most Innovative Design Firms” by Fast Company. Whipsaw engineers travel to China more than 30 times in the development of the Nike FuelBand.

Whipsaw's partnership with founders, early-stage companies, and international corporations is showcased through projects like the Google Chromecast, Google OnHub router, Dropcam home security cameras, TP-Link networking devices, and the Dell Precision line of computers. In 2014, Dan Harden was named one of Fast Company's "100 Most Creative People in Business.” During this time, TP-Link became the world's #1 networking company with sales of over 100 million Whipsaw-designed products. Whipsaw’s service offering organically evolves to include more dedicated research and digital design capabilities.

Whipsaw embarked on an exceptional journey by opening its new studio in San Francisco in 2017, bookending Silicon Valley. The year brought a series of remarkable achievements, starting with Dan's well-deserved recognition through IDSA's Personal Recognition Award. Brita's instant success with the Brita Stream water purifier line and Ceribell's prestigious accolades in the Medical Design Excellence Award further solidified Whipsaw's reputation for innovation. The Tonal strength training system and Tile's bestselling tracker product further highlighted the company's impact on the market. Amidst these triumphs, the world faced the challenges of a pandemic, prompting remote work and adaptation. Nevertheless, Whipsaw's research practice engages in multiple national and international projects.

Emerging from the pandemic, Whipsaw consolidates studios to a new single location in the Potrero Hill neighborhood of San Francisco. This move offers the full team a single location to connect and collaborate under one roof. Whipsaw launches the Whipsaw Design Lab (WDL) to push the boundaries of design innovation and celebrates 25 years of innovation, pushing for design harmony across physical, digital, and brand touchpoints.