In 1957, WDO was founded to protect and promote the professional practice of industrial design internationally. This founding principle remains central to the identity of the organization today. We advocate on behalf of professional designers in such areas as design standards, the appreciation of professional achievement, fair practices, sustainable development and support of intellectual property rights.

The Professional Practice Committee (PPC) was established to help support and protect the profession of industrial design. It comprises practicing professional industrial designers from within the Board and meets periodically to discuss professional challenges of regional and international relevance. In 2015, the PPC renewed the definition of industrial design to better reflect current practices. Other examples can be found below.