To me, "Function follows form" is the absolute truth. Function is the most important part of my design. I also consider the form a lot, since beautiful designs bring beauty to life. A good design is the design that achieves both.
A designer is more like a writer. The products being designed will affect the society and industry, so when they launch the design into the market, a designer's responsibility is not only about producing pretty designs, but also considering the sustainability, the effect to the environment. Reusing materials and using recyclable materials would greatly benefit the environment.