The　importance　of　collaboration　between　different　design　disciplines　has　been　widely　researched.　Traditionally　this　is　achieved　through　multidisciplinary　design　optimization　approach.　By　analysis　of　the　technical　problems,　this　paper　provides　a　new　method　to　facilitate　collaborative　design,　which　is　based　on　physical　programming　and　a　well-organized　negotiation　process　helps　designers　rapidly　reach　a　consistent　solution.　Finally,　a　design　example　of　hydrodynamic　bearing　is　illustrated　to　prove　the　effectiveness　of　the　proposed　method.　©　(2012)　Trans　Tech　Publications,　Switzerland.