We believe that technology can advance human ability – that shared passion for creating uncompromisingly well-designed product is what drives our team and inspires our work to serve a better future. Innovation is more than a buzzword to us. It is the linchpin upon which our entire methodology pivots. Our team shines when being invited to see the world in a different way; our solutions to our clients’ challenges advance human ability.
Founded by three innovators who came from industry-leading technology companies with the collective goal to build a leading innovation company: Optimal Design’s leadership is fueled by an engineering and entrepreneurial pedigree. Founders Sajid Patel, Joe Wascow and Dan Williams, who befriended one another in college, saw an opportunity for a dynamic design and engineering firm, Optimal Design, a Deloitte business has consistently and methodically identified, developed and expanded new tech horizons. ‘Innovate for life’ is more than a tagline. It is the baseline and lens through which all of our endeavors are measured.
In 2023, the company joined the Deloitte family, combining efforts with the Product Engineering Services offerings, to help clients unlock greater innovation and achieve their digital transformation goals.
Established experience combines with agile and team-driven philosophy to shape Optimal Design’s shared vision of excellence.
Sajid Patel
Managing Director, Product Engineering Services
Joe Wascow
Managing Director, Product Engineering Services
Dan Williams
Managing Director, Product Engineering Services
Joe Kreidler
VP of Product Development Services
2023 Best Places to Work in Illinois
2022 Best Places to Work in Illinois
2019 Best Places to Work in Illinois
2019 Inc 5000 Fastest Growing Privately Held Companies in America
2018 Inc 5000 Fastest Growing Privately Held Companies in America
2018 Best Places to Work in Illinois
2017 Fast Company Honorable Mention, Product Category
2017 Optimal Design Named Top Ten Fastest Growing IoT Companies of 2017 by Silicon Review
2017 Best Places to Work in Illinois
2016 Top 10 Fastest Growing IoT Solution Provider Companies
2016 Best Places to Work in Illinois
2016 Red Dot Product Design Award
2015 CIO Review 50 Most Promising Internet of Things Solutions Providers
2015 PTE Innovation Award
2015 Shark Tank Licensing Deal
2013 International A’ Design Award for Medical Diagnostic Devices
2013 Innovation Magazine Showcase
2012 Good Design Award
2012 Spark Product Award
2011 Spark Design Award
2011 Best of CES Award
2011 CTIA Emerging Technology Award
2011 PC Magazine Top Ten Most Rugged Cell Phones
2011 Hygiene Recommended Product Shopper Award
2011 Popular Science Product of the Future Award
2011 Popular Mechanics Editor’s Choice Award
2011 IGN – Best of CES 2011 Awards: Best Tablet
2011 Reader’s Choice Award Taunton’s Tool Guide
2010 Popular Mechanics Editor’s Choice Award for Best Tools
2010 Oldhouse Online Best New Gadgets for DIYers
2009 Popular Sciences “Best of What’s New” Award
2009 Popular Mechanics Editor’s Choice Award
2009 IDSA Design Award
2009 NPE Award, Medical Category
2009 Popular Woodworking Magazine Editor’s Choice Award October
2007 This Old House Best New Products
2005 Product Innovation Award – Equipment World Magazine
2005 Chicago Innovation Award
2005 SUPERquest Award for Continuous Achievement
2004 Popular Science “Best of What’s new” Award
2004 Fine Homebuilding “Editors’ Choice Best Overall” Award
IIT Institute of Design
Industrial Design Society of America (IDSA)
Association of Medical Diagnostics Manufacturers (AMDM)
Member of the IoT Security Foundation
Authorized Microchip Design Partner
Microchip Authorized Security Partner