Industrial design services develop and enhance the appearance, usability, and value of many types of products. Examples include aerospace and military equipment, automotive parts, optical components, consumer and industrial electronics, medical and pharmaceutical devices, and telecommunication equipment. Some industrial design services specialize in the development of products for factory automation and material handling systems. Others develop devices for scientific laboratories, educational or governmental institutions, or law enforcement agencies. Selecting industrial design services requires an analysis of services and capabilities, testing and certification standards, and regional preferences. Industrial design services are located across the United States and throughout the world. 

Industrial design services vary in terms of services and capabilities. Companies that assist with initial product development often provide conceptual consultations, computer aided design (CAD), rapid prototyping, and first model manufacturing. They may also help select product source components and provide recommendations about processes such as finishing and treating. Additional services include logo and graphics design, product branding, market analysis, customer surveys, and product documentation. Industrial design services that assist with developing new products sometimes set pricing parameters based on their knowledge of the market, familiarity with component sourcing, and understanding of production techniques. Companies that account for human factors such as the normal range of user movement use ergonomic designs in order to minimize repetitive stress injuries and maximize safety considerations.

Industrial design services provide several types of certifications. ISO 9001:2000 establishes requirements for company quality management systems and covers standards ranging from manufacturing to services such as design, development, production, and installation. AS9000 is a set of quality guidelines and requirements published by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) in cooperation with major aerospace manufacturers. AS9000 is based on ISO 9001 but maintains a particular focus on the aerospace industry. QS-9000 is a quality standard for suppliers of DaimlerChrysler Corporation, Ford Motor Company, and General Motors Corporation. QS-9000 is based on the 1994 edition of ISO 9001, but contains additional requirements that are particular to the automotive industry. Specifically, QS-9000 applies to suppliers of production materials, production and service parts, heat treating, painting and plating and other finishing services.