1970年國際工業設計協會ICSID(International Council of Societies of Industrial Design) 為工業設計下了一個完整的定義: “工業設計,是一種根據產業狀況以決定制作物品之適應特質的創造活動。適應物品特質, 不單指物品的結構, 而是兼顧使用者和生產者雙方的觀點, 使抽象的概念系統化, 完成統一而具體化的物品形象, 意即著眼于根本的結構與機能間的相互關系, 其根據工業生產的條件擴大了人類環境的局面。” 以下是世界上一些著名設計師對“設計”的看法,“設計”是什么？

設計就是創新。
　　如果缺少發明，設計就失去價值；如果缺少創造，產品就失去生命。
　　――劉東利(香港)

　　設計是追求新的可能。
　　――武藏野(日本)

設計就是文化
　　紛亂與混沌掩蓋著秩序，彷徨與矛盾孕育著機會，憂慮與理想蘊藏著哲學，思想與探索需要觀念的更新和方法機制的科學。伊甸的寧靜被破壞了，南天門中闖入了孫悟空，然而追求實現理想的工業設計師們應投身到這個大潮中，在這個不可回避的“存在”之中既要思考，也要實踐，這樣才是我們的職責所在。
　　――柳冠中(中國工業設計協會副理事長)

設計就是經濟效益
　　面臨世界貿易全球化發展，如果缺少工業設計在工業產品領域中的必要作用，中國的經濟損失是不可估量的。
　　――林衍堂(香港理工大學設計系副主任)

設計就是協同
　　作為設計師本身，更重要的是具備自身的素質和知識結構及群體設計意識，也就是用立體知識結構與相鄰科學協同設計研究的意識。
　　――俞軍海(蜻蜓工業設計公司總經理)

　　工業設計是滿足人類物質需求和心理欲望的富于想象力的開發活動。設計不是個人的表現，設計師的任務不是保持現狀，而是設法改變它。
　　――亞瑟. 普洛斯(ICSID前主席)

    “If I could compare the process of design to publishing a novel, design would be the story and language which could not stand alone without pages, print or binding to make it whole and useable. Danielle Steele, Defoe or Descartes . . . your choice.”
――Darrel. Staley, FIDSA, Manager of Corporate Industrial Design, Ampex Corp.

    “Industrial design is the process of developing an elegant and functional improvement to the physical interface between man and machine-made products.”
――Robert Glenn Smith, FIDSA.

    “Design thinking is what separates humans from animals! Designers are trained to make things work and look better. They team with manufacturers, marketers, advertisers and end-users toturn unspoken desires into consumer demand with a rare blend of beauty and utility that improve our lives.”
――Tucker Viemeister, IDSA, Vice President of Smart Design.

    “The process of designing products is a multi-faceted balancing act. It requires a synthesis of disciplines and a reconciliation of constraints. This requires creative pragmatism. The end result is a completed product that looks great, operates as the user wants and expects and is manufactured for the right price.”
――Malcolm S. Smith, IDSA, Vice President of Palo Alto

    “Designers are not highly paid cake decorators. They are gurus of cross-functional problem solving. Great design solutions are a seamless blend of technical, financial, emotional and brand naming issues. Industrial designers can marry the disparate points of view that effect a product’s performance in the marketplace and create solutions to exceed expectations — corporate and consumer.”
――Spencer Murrell, Vice President, Fitch Inc.

    “The design process, at its best, integrates the aspirations of art, science and culture.”
――Jeff Smith, IDSA, President of Lunar Design

ID Define(工業設計定義)
    Industrial design is the professional service of creating and developing concepts and specifications that optimize the function, value and appearance of products and systems for the mutual benefit of both user and manufacturer.

    Industrial designers develop these concepts and specifications through collection, analysis and synthesis of data guided by the special requirements of the client or manufacturer. They are trained to prepare clear and concise recommendations through drawings, models and verbal descriptions. Industrial design services are often provided within the context of cooperative working relationships with other members of a development group. Typical groups include management, marketing, engineering and manufacturing specialists. The Industrial designer expresses concepts that embody all relevant design criteria determined by the group. The industrial designer’s unique contribution places emphasis on those aspects of the product or system that relate most directly to human characteristics, needs and interests. This contribution requires specialized understanding of visual, tactile, safety and convenience criteria, with concern for the user. Education and experience in anticipating psychological, physiological and sociological factors that influence and are perceived by the user are essential industrial design resources. Industrial designers also maintain a practical concern for technical processes and requirements for manufacture; marketing opportunities and economic constraints; and distribution sales and servicing processes. They work to ensure that design recommendations use materials and technology effectively, and comply with all legal and regulatory requirements. In addition to supplying concepts for products and systems, Industrial designers are often retained for consultation on a variety of problems that have to do with a client’s image. Such assignments include product and organization identity systems, development of communication systems, interior space planning and exhibit design, advertising devices and packaging and other related services. Their expertise is sought in a wide variety of administrative arenas to assist in developing industrial standards, regulatory guidelines and quality control procedures to improve manufacturing operations and products. Industrial designers, as professionals, are guided by their awareness of obligations to fulfill contractual responsibilities to clients, to protect the public safety and well-being, to respect the environment and to observe ethical business practice.
――IDSA