The work aims to discuss the functionality of colour, materials and surface finish (CMF) in the creative design practice and achieve the balance between the subjective experience of CFM (including sensory, aesthetic, emotional and representative experience) and the objective effect (function of product and system endowed by CMF). This is one of the key problems that CMF designers endeavor to solve during CMF design. Discussion and analysis are carried out focusing on the topic to provide reference and guidance for designers. Through literature review, theoretical analysis and design case study, a number of functional issues of CMF and their design applications are systematically expounded and combed, including the visual attention and discrimination, self-cleaning, sound absorption, colour variation, light-emitting, anti-bacteria, air permeability, magnetism, and biomedical compatibility, etc. Generally, the subjective experience and objective effect of CMF need to be taken into account simultaneously. When possible conflicts arise, priority needs to be determined according to specific design objects. The regionalization and gradientization of CMF functions and combination of multi-functions can result in effective and efficient utilization of CMF. There are many solutions for CMF design, and different solutions have different degrees of consideration and coordination for aesthetics and function, including the way and cost of realization. In the end, it is necessary to make a comprehensive trade-off between perception and aesthetic experience, actual functional effect and other constraints, such as process difficulty, cost and environmental protection.