AbstractThe characterisation of a design in terms of function, appearance, manufacturing method, and cost is considered. The interacting influences of design, fabrication, and materials selection are not always appreciated, which results in inefficiency or failure. This is considered in an historical setting, highlighting the changes in circumstance which now require better communication of information for such interaction to occur. The role of the computer in the provision of databases from standardised information and the development of‘intelligent’selector systems with input to models from consideration of microstructural engineering is outlined. The greatly increased range of materials to be considered and the need for integration of design, processing, and materials expertise, poses problems for the teaching of materials engineering where, again, the computer has an important role to play in developing understanding. In this very important area of industrial and educational endeavour, interaction should progress towards integration.MST/1063