Axiomatic design and design structure matrix (DSM) are two popular design methods at the moment, while most related researches only apply the basic ideas of axiomatic design or DSM to some cases. This paper first analyses the disadvantages of both axiomatic design and DSM. After deep investigations, the paper then puts forward that there are strong complementarities between axiomatic design and DSM. Based on the complementarities between axiomatic design and DSM, it is proposed that axiomatic design’s design matrix (DM) can be transformed into corresponding DSM for structural evaluation. In this way, axiomatic design and DSM can benefit from each other. The logic of integration between axiomatic design and DSM is interpreted in this paper. A computer aided conceptual design system has been developed to enable the integration of axiomatic design and DSM.