Abstract: Axiomatic design (AD) has provided scientific basis for system design. It is also a conceptual framework for other design methods and tools. Firstly, along the track of AD guiding design, AD framework are summarized and analyzed after the review of AD’s historical background, and the relevant research hotspots are pointed out. Secondly, the current research situation is summed up and discussed in detail in terms of extension and perfection of AD, relation between AD and other methods, processing of coupled design problem and complexity study based on AD. Then the applications of AD to product design, manufacturing system design, materials and material processing, evaluation and decision of design are introduced. Finally, some key points of research and development trends of AD in the future are prospected based on the analysis of existing problems and limitations.

Key words: Axiomatic design, Current research situation, Problem analysis