Qdesign

What Qdesign does

QDesign is a Chicago-based product design and development consultancy founded in 1994 as Quicksilver and rebranded to its current name. It operates as a B2B services firm that designs commercial furniture, lighting, storage, and accessory products on behalf of contract manufacturers. Its portfolio includes roughly 20 named product families covering meeting tables (Native), ergonomic classroom seating (NXT MOV), flexible stools (Makau), lounge and privacy seating (Vee, BeSpace, OAR), task and architectural lighting (Sorrel, Verbena), modular office systems (MKR), and waste/planter accessories (TROSA, Kaskad), with manufacturing clients including JSI, HON, Thonet, Senator Group, Artcobell, KFI Studios, Arcadia, Versteel, Magnuson Group, Formaspace, Pinnacle Lighting, Lesro, OFS Carolina, and Beaufurn.

The firm combines in-house industrial design and architecture with a long-standing intellectual partnership with Whitney Architects, and it layers in external sourcing, engineering, and ecommerce partners to take products from concept through market delivery. Its core technical capabilities are 3D solid modeling, sketching, product story strategy, and design consultation. Revenue is generated through professional services fees on a quote-based engagement model with no public pricing disclosures. The team of approximately 47 employees is led by founder Mark Stenftenagel with a design director, senior designers, an in-house architect, industrial designers, and business development. Ownership appears founder-held with no disclosed institutional capital, parent company, or M&A activity.

QDesign is privately held, has no public ticker, and reports no funding rounds, acquisitions, or restructuring events. Its go-to-market is sales-led, relying on direct relationships and a publicly visible portfolio to win manufacturer engagements, supported by a LinkedIn and Instagram presence and a website portfolio that functions as its primary marketing surface.

Name

Qdesign

Legal name

Q Design

Website

https://qdesign.us.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1994

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

QDesign is a Chicago-based product design consultancy founded in 1994 that develops commercial furniture, lighting, storage, and accessory products on behalf of contract manufacturers such as JSI, HON, Thonet, and Senator Group.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Design Services

NAICS

Industrial Design Services (54142), Industrial Design Services (541420)

akta.pro primary industry

Industrial/Product & Furniture Design (BPAHAKAM)

Keywords

• Product design consultancy
• Commercial furniture design
• Industrial design services
• Contract furniture development
• Product development services

Headquarters

HQ city

Chicago

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Design and Product Consultation Services: QDesign provides design consultation, concept development, and product design services to furniture and commercial product manufacturers. Revenue is generated through service fees for design work, product development consultation, and ongoing client partnerships.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

QDesign is a B2B product design and development consultancy that creates commercial furniture and product designs for manufacturers across categories including seating, tables, lighting, storage, and accessories. They provide end-to-end design services spanning 3D solid modeling, sketching, concept development, product story strategy, branding, and sourcing/engineering partner coordination for the contract furniture industry.

Product overview

QDesign is an award-winning product development and design consultancy that serves as a one-stop-shop for furniture and product design. Founded in 1994, the company collaborates with manufacturing partners to design commercial furniture across multiple categories including seating (chairs, stools, lounge furniture), tables (meeting tables, collaborative tables, desks), lighting (architectural and decorative fixtures), storage solutions, and accessories (planters, waste receptacles). Their portfolio includes distinct product families such as Native, NXT MOV, Makau, Co-Op, Roqa, Vee, Sorrel, OAR, TROSA, Troupe, Kaskad, Boden, Ansel, Ember, MKR, Tangram, Confetti, Verbena, BeSpace, Modern Heritage, and Gansett. QDesign offers services spanning 3D solid modeling, sketching, product strategy, design consultation, concept development, marketing and branding, and partner sourcing/engineering.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Native Line of meeting tables and ancillary furniture designed for JSI, supporting meetings in traditional meeting rooms, open offices, or private offices. Includes tables, media, storage, and ancillary products with various finishes.
• NXT MOV Classroom chair designed for Artcobell introducing passive ergonomics with a seat and back that move freely with the student. Features a flexible rubber donut connector and is available in various colors.
• Makau Flexible seating stool designed for KFI Studios encouraging engagement and collaboration with no restrictions on how to sit. Allows side-to-side rocking and front-to-back sitting with comfortable stacking stools made from bent plywood.
• Co-Op Architectural space-defining product designed for Arcadia that creates semi-private meeting enclaves. Can be positioned anywhere in an office without elaborate construction to create a custom built-in feel.
• Roqa Minimal seating designed for KFI Studios inspired by classic mid-century molded fiberglass designs of Saarinen and Eames. Features a sculptural base support element and apex leg design.
• Vee Versatile privacy lounge designed for Senator Group, inspired by first class airplane seating. Features V-shaped screens that rise on each side and can be connected to form different shapes and small meeting spaces.
• Sorrel Family of three lighting products designed for Pinnacle Lighting serving different applications: UP (indirect lighting), DOWN (direct task lighting), and NEUTRAL (balanced illumination). Features soft curved corners, rails, and angles.
• OAR Collection Office furniture collection designed for Beaufurn inspired by the Adirondack chair with raked back and deep-angled seat. Adopts Danish mid-century modern sensibilities with plush seats and turned wood joinery.
• TROSA Sleek waste receptacles designed for Magnuson Group with clean lines flowing from the front-opening body to the lid. Features elevated angled lid opening, integrated door pull, and soft-closing hinges.
• Troupe Stools Stools designed for Versteel with tapered steel legs featuring unique soft curve profiles and birch ply seat with exposed rounded edge. Available in three heights with stools and benches.
• Troupe Tables Modern industrial tables designed for Versteel with tapered steel legs formed into an inverted shape. Offers power and data options with wires concealed within concave legs.
• Kaskad Family of modular planters bringing design and elegance to spaces. Designed to stand alone or work together in combinations, serving as a flexible planter solution for indoor use.
• Boden High-performance cast concrete bench for outdoor environments. Simple and pure in form, inspired by modern architectural details and concrete molding process.
• Ansel Seating designed for OFS Carolina to provide privacy and space division within waiting areas in healthcare settings.
• Ember Tables Minimalist tables designed for KFI Studios for collaboration in lounge settings. Features tapered PET base with sleek HPL tops and built-in power/USB source.
• MKR Highly customizable office desk system designed for Formaspace offering solutions for various layouts. Includes frames, panels, surfaces, and accessories that can be disassembled and reconstructed in different configurations.
• Tangram Educational soft seating line designed for HON inspired by basic geometric shapes. Includes large scale pieces for open environments, small scale pieces for classrooms, and modular building blocks for tiered seating.
• Confetti Floor cushions and lounges designed for young learners with soft foam support and integrated handles for easy portability. Available in vibrant fabric options.
• Verbena Innovative illumination platform with thoughtfully formed connectors enabling freedom to move and weave illumination throughout a space.
• BeSpace Molded plywood furniture collection designed for JSI linking individual and collaborative spaces. Includes customizable lounge and bench seating, bent ply bookcases and storage.
• Modern Heritage Collection Collection designed for Thonet bringing traditional bent-tube construction into the present with storage, table, and seating elements. Features updated metal finish palette including silver, champagne, and rose gold.
• Gansett Light-scale reception chair designed for Lesro available in sled base and rocker versions. Modern and playful design with rectangular steel tube frame, flat packed for easy shipping.
• Product Design and Development Services Full-service product development offering for furniture and commercial product manufacturers, including concept development, 3D modeling, product strategy, branding, and coordination with sourcing and engineering partners.

Named customers14 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• Whitney ArchitectscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerQDesign's design is influenced by their relationship with Whitney Architects. The two firms benefit from internal collaboration on a professional level, combining insight from both ends of the design world. This intellectual partnership provides multidisciplinary design expertise.
• JSImajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerQDesign created the Native meeting tables line and BeSpace lounge furniture collection for JSI. These are significant product lines in JSI's portfolio, demonstrating a deep design partnership.
• Senator GroupmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerQDesign designed the Vee privacy lounge product for Senator Group, inspired by first class airplane seating with innovative V-shaped screens.
• ArcadiamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerQDesign created the Co-Op semi-private meeting cubicle for Arcadia, an architectural space-defining product for office environments.
• ThonetmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerQDesign worked closely with Thonet on the Modern Heritage Collection including storage, tables, and seating using traditional bent-tube construction with updated finishes.
• FormaspacemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerQDesign designed the MKR highly customizable office system for Formaspace, offering solutions for various layout configurations.
• VersteelmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerQDesign created the Troupe line of stools, benches, and tables for Versteel, featuring unique tapered steel leg profiles and modern industrial aesthetic.
• KFI StudiosmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerQDesign designed multiple products for KFI Studios including the Roqa seating (inspired by Saarinen & Eames) and Makau flexible seating stool.
• BeaufurnmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerQDesign designed the OAR Collection for Beaufurn, bringing Adirondack chair inspiration to contemporary office furniture.
• Magnuson GroupmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerQDesign created the TROSA waste receptacle line for Magnuson Group with sleek design and functional features.
• HONmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerQDesign designed the Tangram educational soft seating line for HON, inspired by geometric shapes for flexible learning environments.
• ArtcobellmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerQDesign designed the NXT MOV classroom chair for Artcobell, introducing passive ergonomics with flexible movement.
• LesromajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerQDesign created the Gansett light-scale reception chair for Lesro, designed for easy shipping and modern aesthetics.
• OFS CarolinamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerQDesign designed the Ansel waiting room seating for OFS Carolina, providing privacy and comfort in healthcare settings.
• Pinnacle LightingmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerQDesign designed the Sorrel family of lighting products for Pinnacle Lighting with three distinct configurations and soft curved design.
• Sourcing PartnerscoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerQDesign works with sourcing partners to assist clients in getting products manufactured and delivered to market.
• Engineering PartnerscoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerQDesign collaborates with engineering partners to ensure products are technically sound and manufacturable.
• Ecommerce PartnerscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorQDesign works with ecommerce partners to help clients sell and distribute their designed products through online channels.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Direct peers

• Ammunition Group: A San Francisco-based industrial design studio that develops consumer and contract furniture products for major brands. Directly comparable to QDesign as a similarly-sized product design consultancy specializing in furniture and commercial product design for manufacturer clients.
• Form Us With Love: A Stockholm-based design studio developing furniture, lighting, and consumer products for Scandinavian and international manufacturers. Comparable as a similarly-sized multi-disciplinary design firm producing commercial product lines for OEM clients across seating, tables, and accessories.
• Industrial Facility: A London-based product design studio led by Sam Hecht that designs furniture and consumer products for manufacturers including Herman Miller, Muji, and IKEA. Comparable as a furniture-focused industrial design consultancy of similar scale, working with manufacturer clients on commercial product portfolios.
• Pearson Lloyd: A UK-based industrial design consultancy specializing in furniture, transport, and workplace products for major commercial clients. Comparable as a similarly-sized design studio with a deep contract/commercial furniture practice, designing products that are manufactured and distributed by OEMs.
• Doshi Levien: A London-based design studio working across furniture, products, and interiors with manufacturer clients including Moroso, SCP, and Herman Miller. Comparable as a furniture-focused industrial design consultancy producing commercial product lines for OEM partners.
• Barber Osgerby: A London-based product and furniture design studio working with manufacturers including Vitra, Knoll, and Herman Miller. Comparable as a furniture-focused industrial design consultancy of similar scale producing commercial product lines for premium OEM partners.
• fuseproject: A San Francisco-based design and branding studio led by Yves Béhar that develops consumer products, furniture, and brand experiences for manufacturer clients. Comparable as a similarly-sized multi-disciplinary design firm producing commercial product lines for OEM and consumer brand partners.
• Whipsaw: A San Jose-based industrial design and engineering firm that designs consumer and commercial products for major brands across categories. Comparable as a similarly-sized product design consultancy with a multi-category practice serving enterprise manufacturer clients.

Broad incumbents

• frog: A global design and engineering consultancy (formerly frog design) with deep industrial design heritage and furniture/commercial product work. Comparable as a broad incumbent in industrial design whose product design practice overlaps with QDesign's contract furniture and accessories focus.
• IDEO: One of the largest and most established global design and innovation consultancies with a broad industrial design practice that includes furniture and commercial products. Comparable as a much larger incumbent in the same industrial design space QDesign operates in, serving overlapping enterprise clients across multiple product categories.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/qdesign
• Instagraminstagram.com/q.designers

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Qdesign