industrial design

American  

noun

1. the art that deals with the design problems of manufactured objects, including problems of designing such objects with consideration for available materials and means of production, of designing packages, bottles, etc., for manufactured goods, and of graphic design for manufactured objects, packages, etc.

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industrial design British  

noun

1. the art or practice of designing any object for manufacture

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Other Word Forms

• industrial designer noun

Etymology

Origin of industrial design

First recorded in 1930–35

Example Sentences

A new enclosure for the Mini could require work by Ive’s industrial design department that could lead to delays.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 21, 2026

The arrangement could see artificial intelligence play a bigger role in industrial design and engineering.

From Barron's • Dec. 2, 2025

The hue is especially revered for its versatility within several applications, including beauty, home interiors, industrial design, multi-media design and fashion.

From Salon • Dec. 5, 2024

Fresh from the University of Illinois with a degree in industrial design, she moved to California in 1962 in search of work and was introduced to Rita Lawrence.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 3, 2024

Before there were computers in Silicon Valley, before the land gave way to industrial design, there was fruit.

From "A Deadly Wandering: A Mystery, a Landmark Investigation, and the Astonishing Science of Attention in the Digital Age" by Matt Richtel