The basic ideas of a systematic procedure for the automatic design of electron and ion optical columns with given focusing and deflection properties and minimum aberrations are outlined. The concept of synthesis is thoroughly explained. Optical columns can be synthesized either from given elements or in their entirety. The procedures are based on two different approaches: (1) Seeking the appropriate potential distributions in the form of spline functions with the subsequent reconstruction of the electrodes. (2) Using anapriorigiven multipurpose multielectrode system, the electrode potentials of which are selected so that the given constraints are satisfied and the aberrations are minimized. The first practical calculations show quite promising results.