He and his team have just published a forward-looking, three-part collection in the form of a CMF Design Guide<\/a> that explores circular design, reusable materials, the growing acceptance of imperfection in design, and the intersection of CMF and user experience (UX).<\/p>\n Lefteri, who has written multiple books on materials and design, has also worked closely with German materials giant Covestro<\/a>, another company intensely interested in this topic. Covestro notes that \u201cintegrating CMF design with the unique demands of various industries is more crucial than ever in order to create a competitive advantage.\u201d<\/p>\n From a designer\u2019s aesthetic point of view, the product\u2019s color, material and finish should always be considered and chosen in combination, said CMF expert Emily Shi, who oversees the firm\u2019s global business development for color and aesthetics.<\/p>\n To that end, its CMF team has developed three industry-specific aesthetic toolkits<\/a>, responding to trends in 2025 and beyond. Its research focuses on three major industries \u2013\u2013 electrical and electronics (E&E); automotive\/mobility; and healthcare. Each year it assesses the coming trends in this space, especially as they relate to Covestro\u2019s primary resins of polycarbonate (PC) and PC\/ABS blends, though the concepts typically can be applied more broadly to other resin types.<\/p>\n Each sector has its own traits. E&E product trends, for example, tend to change every few months, while mobility (think automakers) have a much longer development timeline of two to five years. And healthcare has key regulatory color-matching rules, based on the product\u2019s potential end use.<\/p>\n That said, there increasingly is cross-over between the sectors, particularly as E&E continues to penetrate more deeply into both medical and automotive products. The ever-expanding field of smart devices with healthcare functions begin as consumer electronic applications, but then may move closer to healthcare applications, depending on their functionality. However, they tend to retain the CMF of electronics. And, increasingly, products developed for the micro-mobility sector tend to be very much focused on E&E technology (and CMF trends).<\/p>\n Covestro held workshops and developed these findings in part by working closely with 25 professors and students at\u00a0 Shanghai Tech University\u2019s design school over a period of three months. \u201cWe\u2019re looking forward to working with more students globally,\u201d Shi said, and to continue to listen to the voice of the customer.<\/p>\n Their goal with this project? To inspire designers and make sure they understand how much of an effect CMF can have on the end product.<\/p>\n Here are some of their key insights, as spelled out in a late-December phone interview from Shanghai with Shi. Here\u2019s a quick review, by sector.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Electrical & Electronics<\/strong><\/p>\n As clearly on display at the recent CES 2025<\/a> consumer technology show in Las Vegas, artificial intelligence (AI) is the dominant trend in E&E. Brands and manufacturers are integrating AI into virtually any product you can think of.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n AI Squad<\/strong>: Shi notes that pure white is a staple of electronic product design for the way it bridges the gap between the emerging technology and the physical products. \u201cA transparent texture adds to the lightness sought by smart devices, and the colors shine under the high-gloss finish, integrating complex technology into users\u2019 lives in a way that is intuitive and welcoming.\u201d<\/p>\n Digital Nomads<\/strong>: A key trend in E&E is what Covestro describes as Digital Wandering, reflecting the growing move toward hybrid offices \u2013\u2013 at home, in the office and anywhere in between. For these digital nomads, passion and inspiration are vital. \u201cHigh chroma transparent colors massage the senses,\u201d Covestro states in its E&E trend report. \u201cProgressions of pink and red convey vitality and a positive attitude.\u201d<\/p>\n Co-Living<\/strong>: The company describes a second trend as Boundless Community, reflecting the rise in co-living, especially for those in expensive big cities. In such arrangements, residents typically have their own private rooms but share facilities such as kitchens and bathrooms.<\/p>\n Under one roof we live together but seek to retain our independence, Shi noted. \u201cDiverse public spaces provide residents with opportunities to interact, inspire one another, and attain a higher quality of life with like-minded individuals.\u201d<\/p>\n From the CMF perspective, Covestro states, \u201cA warm gray is inclusive and welcoming. A misty blue alleviates anxiety, providing a necessary isolation for individuals striving to maintain a delicate balance between their own private world and the world at large.\u201d<\/p>\n Tech x Nature<\/strong>: A final component of E&E relates to the pursuit of sustainable living, and the desire to conserve and protect natural resources and live in an eco-friendly manner. \u201cHome is no longer relegated to serving as mere shelters,\u201d Covestro notes, \u201cbut also offer broader protection for nature.\u201d<\/p>\n This, the firm\u2019s research shows, is best reflected in yellow hues and forest-like green shades. This works well not only in homes but also in outdoor applications such as electric vehicle base and charging stations.<\/p>\n As digital technology makes increasing headway into smart mobility, autonomous driving<\/p>\n technology and intelligent in-car assistants gradually become more widespread. Technological development has always prioritized safety. \u201cWhen control is relinquished over the steering wheel and pedals,\u201d the company notes, \u201chigh-level automation shifts responsibility from the user to the system. The technological question now is how to navigate moral dilemmas where a choice must be made between the two and how to build trust in these vehicles.\u201d<\/p>\n Ultra Vision<\/strong>: Shi wrote in the report that a pearlescent effect conveys an \u201cexternal expression of the intelligent system within, marrying wisdom and versatility in blue, while the translucence of the black is modest and restrained, establishing a bridge of trust between users and the machine.\u201d<\/p>\n Moving Castle<\/strong>: With the rise of remote work, more people are choosing to live as digital nomads who find \u201cliving in car\u201d offering something a fixed, detached home cannot. Interior space is taking on the attributes of a real home, liberating our traditional understanding of what makes a home. Increasingly popular recreational vehicles (RVs) have grown from just another vehicle to embody an artistic lifestyle. Increasingly, Covestro notes, these tiny mobile homes provide a space for expressing individual personality coupled with the immense freedom of mobility.v<\/p>\n The firm found the vehicle cockpit to be an extension of the larger environment and a personal space of emotional release. From a CMF perspective, it points to a muted gravel color with mottled marble to resemble \u201ca solid wall providing a strong sense of protection, yet it feels<\/p>\n like being out in the wild, surrounded by nature’s rugged beauty.\u201d A bright mint green, meanwhile, lightens the overall ambiance with a fresh hue, adding a touch of lightness.<\/p>\n Power Capsule<\/strong>: Energy storage is a fast-growing sector and EV charging also is becoming ever more important. \u201cThe<\/p>\n energy battery revolution,\u201d notes Covestro, \u201cis driving a shift toward environmentally friendly modes of travel with greater economy and will prove a crucial step in the long-term replacement of vehicles running on traditional fossil fuels.\u201d<\/p>\n For this, bright orange makes good color sense, combined with metallic silver. Orange is fresh and ultra visible while the silver \u201cexudes speed and combines functionality with the lightweight aesthetic of cutting-edge technology.\u201d This CMF combination is ideal for network devices as well as for consumer electronic products such as wearables, Internet of Things (IoT) devices, smart appliances, and other types of mobile devices.<\/p>\n Hyperlink<\/strong>: The rise in multi-modal transportation keyed this research. \u201cGone are the days of limited single-mode public transport,\u201d says Covestro. \u201cPeople may now drive or take the subway and then hop on an electric scooter, hoverboard, or electric wheelchair to reach their destinations. Micro-mobility enhances travel efficiency and is more convenient, flexible, and environmentally friendly.\u201d<\/p>\n For these applications, Shi sees edge-lit bright lime as a futuristic, eye-catching hue, while black contrasts add stability and modernity to the overall aesthetic.<\/p>\n Healthcare<\/strong><\/p>\n Today, individuals are weary in body and mind and in need of a remedy \u2013 technology \u2013 capable of providing spiritual nourishment and physical well-being. Access to public health facilities and telemedicine provide new opportunities for expanding healthcare scenarios and allocating medical resources, the firm suggests. Consequently, the demand for convenient healthcare products that can be used in daily life has surged.<\/p>\n Cozy Groove<\/strong>: Members of Generation Z, suggests Covestro, tend to follow their inner preferences and freely express their personal style in life, whether it’s adding their own touch to home d\u00e9cor through handmade projects, or finding relaxation and comfort amidst hand-planted greenery. Their focus on the personal life exceeds that of previous generations, as does their pursuit of value for money.<\/p>\n For this the firm says the bright chartreuse color is soft and fresh like tender shoots. These applications also offer a good opportunity for Covestro\u2019s portfolio of more sustainable options, such as its RE materials<\/a>. These attributed with a proportion of recycled raw materials derived from bio-circular feedstock, reducing environmental impact and improving social responsibility with ISCC+ certification.<\/p>\n Transmitted Health<\/strong>: Medical treatment is taking on a broader meaning, and expanding from formal healthcare settings to inside one\u2019s own home, via such things as wearables and portable drug-delivery devices. Connected devices are essential to this process, by allowing patients to access, share, and analyze medical data and doctors to monitor the health of their patients and plan treatment remotely.<\/p>\n This only increases the need for medical devices to be safe and reliable while keeping patient data secure. Devices must be easy to use and identify, and medical assistance must be readily accessible to patients when needed.<\/p>\n From a CMF perspective, Shi suggests that \u201cThe purity of blue draws attention to the professional, safe, reliable nature of the product, while the vibrancy of orange adds a sense of vitality.\u201d<\/p>\n X-DNA<\/strong>: Humans continue to strive to extend life and combat aging. Recent studies estimate the global anti-aging market will grow by 6.5% annually between 2023 and 2028, and reaching a value of $98.6 billion as people seek more rational, professional, and targeted technology-driven anti-aging solutions against the passage of time.<\/p>\n Covestro\u2019s research indicates that translucid purple embodies mystery and the spirit of exploration driving humanity to overcome its own limitations. They suggest pairing it with a cool white reminiscent of moonlight.<\/p>\n Meta Med<\/strong>: Finally, AI also is impacting the healthcare sector, as well. The technology is being leveraged to help detect early symptoms and reduce treatment times, saving institutions money and improving the efficiency of medical professionals. From computer vision technology to upgraded cloud computing power, so-called “meta medicine” is more precise than a human doctor in early disease detection and diagnosis.<\/p>\n The company suggests using a cold matte gray to reflect the reliability of the product and set off a transparent blue representing embedded chips. The gray of the back panel is said to convey trust while contrasting aesthetically with the blue, which represents Intelligence.<\/p>\n In summary, Shi noted, this research is meant to underscore how CMF can serve as a powerful tool to forge emotional connections and enhance overall experiences.<\/p>\n \u201cBy aligning our design concepts with market trends, we ensure our material solutions effectively address the industrial demands of these sectors,\u201d she added. \u201cThis integration is vital for shaping the future of product design at the intersection of technology and consumer experience.\u201d<\/p>\n Find more from Covestro on Prospector<\/a>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n .<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"![\"\"](\"https:\/\/ulprospector.ul.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/1_Emily-Shi-head-shot_Covestro-300x200.jpg\")
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