Ch22. Unwrapping CMF Design on Everything Can Be CMF Related

Since becoming a CMF Designer, I have gained more perspectives even for other industries. For example, while working on the house restoration project, I can understand the possible risks during construction, and I can also better balance between the design intent and the cost budget. (中文版)

CMF is a specific discipline within industrial design that focuses on the development of a product’s color, material, and finish. Unwrap CMF shares bite-sized stories of CMF Design to inform and inspire those interested in this niche yet fascinating field, with digestible contents for anyone and everyone.

For another example, when my friend from Entadar brand shares the bag manufacturing process, even though it is an unfamiliar field to me, I wouldn’t be lost in the conversation.

PU leather is widely used in automotive interiors, home furnishings, bags and footwear industries, but why some are hard and some are soft and smooth? The answer is not only in the material!

The leather of Entadar is consisted of a layer of PU and a layer of polyester. The polyester layer can also be replaced with nylon or fabric. However, the key to leather’s material property is actually determined by the formula of the PU layer.

Some leather products are sunlight-resistant, waterproof, and even washable, but some can crack into crumbs within a year or two. That is because the additive in the PU formula will decide the material performance. And of course, the more durable and better tactility it has, it is going to be reflected in the cost 💰👀

Just like CMF Designers, Bag Designers also often work closely with materials and suppliers. Such as material selection (characteristic and cost), color matching of parts, and the NG losses during prototyping and mass production — don’t these challenges sound familiar? (๑•̀ㅂ•́)و✧

And therefore, although CMF Design is a very niche field, the traces of CMF can also be observed in our daily lives and across different industries!

Entadar bag brand👉🏻 Website / Instagram / Facebook

During prototyping, PU leather in light color was easily wrinkled. Despite of it looking nice, the color sadly had to be removed.

Bag industry also encounters NG losses in production: quality details such as material damage, wrinkles, uneven stitching, etc.

Everything can be CMF related, such as the material content, color, and weaving of bag straps.

And of course, as mentioned in the previous chapter — patterns!

Great products are brought to customers because of the effort in material selection and manufacturing process. See more great products or shop at Entadar!

Great products are brought to customers because of the effort in material selection and manufacturing process. See more great products or shop at Entadar!

Great products are brought to customers because of the effort in material selection and manufacturing process. See more great products or shop at Entadar!

Enjoy learning? Use the CMF terminologies mentioned above and continue on with your own research journey on the web. Comments and inspirations are welcome!
Instagram LinkedIn Unwrap CMF