When I started studying CMF, I couldn’t find a single place that tied everything together including books, methods, frameworks, websites, and tools. The following are noted references from a CMF course I took a few months ago. A living resource library.
It's nowhere close to how I want to build CMF across our product line as a core-capability but the idea is to keep documenting and evolving this into a framework. For years, CMF in appliances has been treated as a project step that you “do” for each SKU and then restart. I find that approach to be wasteful. It doesn’t compound. I want to change that.
I want CMF to become a system capability at Native that gets sharper with every product we build.
This is my personal CMF study map built from courses, books, and weeks of research rabbit holes.
1. Courses and people
Domestika – CMF Design Course:A structured introduction to colour, material, and finish thinking.
@colour_of_saying: One of the best CMF reference account on Instagram.
Laura Perryman: Author of The Colour Bible and CMF designer for Arrival.
Hella Jongerius: Known for material tactility and depth.
Nolli: Great reference for tech accessories and colour blocking.
Alkymi Material Bar: Biological dyes and experimental material applications.
2. Context
CMF was originally called Colour & Trim Design. Then Nokia happened. Nokia made mobile colour personal. Their use of CMF shifted the industry from manufacturer-led to consumer-driven design. It even got the James Dyson Award for innovation.
3. Core skills
Every good CMF designer needs to:
Build excellent visual presentation skills.
Communicate design stories convincingly.
Stay aware of market trends and new technologies.
Work cross-discipline with design, engineering, and manufacturing.
Be deeply familiar with colour, material, and finish properties.
4. Field study
You can’t learn CMF from Pinterest.
Go to shops. Touch materials in antique stores, plastic markets, and fabric showrooms. Study colours that feel heavy or light. Try to understand why.
5. Colour theory basics
Type | Description | Use |
|---|---|---|
Monochromatic | Light → dark variation of a single hue | Clean, minimal design systems |
Analogous | Colours next to each other on the wheel | Harmonious, natural palettes |
Complementary | Opposite colours on the wheel | Visual tension that's great for highlights and buttons. |
6. Trends and Macro signals
Where CMF starts:
Signal | Observation |
|---|---|
Global environmental mindset change | Rise of second-hand and rental consumption |
Changing consumer habits | More personalised, experience-led design |
Innovation in materials | Focus on repairability and recyclability |
Evolving finishes | Growth of reeded and tactile surfaces |
Trend framework
Layer | Timeline | Example |
|---|---|---|
Mega trends | 5 / 10 / 40 years | Sustainability, post-COVID shifts |
Macro trends | 2–3 years | How people live and buy |
Visual trends | 1 year | CMF directions, fashion, interiors |
Forecast sources:
7. Book recommendations
8. Tools and resources
Colour pickers:
Industry colour cards:
Combination tools:
10. Websites to refer regularly
Category | Links |
|---|---|
Design & Product | |
Culture & Innovation | |
Tech & Future Thinking |
11. Material libraries around the World
Name | Country | Link |
|---|---|---|
Switzerland | Sustainable material data platform | |
Switzerland | Curated by Hella Jongerius | |
Netherlands | Textile and finish samples | |
Netherlands | Large design material database | |
Hong Kong | Education-focused | |
China | Product material research | |
China | Materials & manufacturing innovation | |
Global | Professional CMF consultancy | |
France | European material archive | |
Germany | Online and physical archive | |
Italy | Design material research | |
Sweden | National resource | |
Taiwan | CMF resource index | |
Taiwan | Local material database | |
UK | Architectural finishes & samples | |
UK | Multi-brand material showroom | |
UK | Research-focused archive | |
USA | CMF education leader | |
USA | Design and materials program | |
USA | CMF-focused design program |
The balance between intuition and data is what separates soulful design from manufactured sameness.