Resources
Resources
2025-2026 CMF Design Report Published: Global Megatrends and Insights
The 2025–2026 CMF (Color, Material, Finish) Design Trend Report has been released, offering a deep dive into the future of design across industries.
▶ Go download the report (Short ver.) HERE
▶ Go download the full report HERE
Published by the Korea Institute of Design Promotion (KIDP), this report maps out how global megatrends—such as climate change, AI advancement, and shifting demographics—are shaping new values and aesthetics in color, material, and finish. It provides strategic insights for brands, designers, and manufacturers, especially SMEs, aiming to stay competitive by aligning with the evolving consumer expectations around sustainability, personalization, and emotional resonance.
The 2025–2026 CMF Design Trend Report explores how global shifts are transforming design across industries, particularly in manufacturing and consumer goods. It aims to help companies - especially SMEs, innovate by aligning with emerging CMF strategies in a fast-changing market.
The report identifies four overarching megatrends: Climate Emergency, Social Contestation, AI Challenge, and Demographic Shifts. And these megatrends inspire six key macrotrends:
Anthropocene: Sustainability drives design, promoting reused materials, "ugly design" aesthetics, and natural, rough textures.
Cost of Living Crisis: Economic pressure leads consumers toward DIY, second-hand goods, and products that emphasize affordability and practicality.
Balanced Lifestyle: Well-being and emotional comfort are prioritized; design supports flexible, serene lifestyles with natural, calming CMFs.
AI Utopia: AI influences hyper-real, futuristic aesthetics blending digital and physical experiences, using high-gloss, reflective, and dynamic color palettes.
Holistic Ethics: Transparency, sustainability, and local culture preservation take center stage, influencing everything from material sourcing to storytelling.
Re-writing the Norm: Breaking traditional norms around gender, age, and inclusivity drives personalization, modularity, and design accessibility.
The report then applies these trends across six industries: fashion, food & drink packaging, consumer tech, interior, beauty packaging, and automotive. Each sector sees a focus on localized sourcing, sustainable innovation, emotional design, AI-driven personalization, and celebrating imperfections as a form of authenticity.
Finally, it sums up future CMF directions under four major concepts:
Ethically Minded (sustainability and transparency)
Phygital 2.0 (merging physical and digital design)
Emotional-Centric Design (creating emotional connections through CMF)
Materials are Heroes (materials themselves becoming the centerpiece of design storytelling)
PLANNING Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy Korea Institute of Design Promotion
ORGANIZE·PUBLISHER Korea Institute of Design Promotion www.kidp.or.kr www.designdb.com www.cmf.designdb.com
OVERALL LEAD Ara Cho ᅵ Head, Policy & Research Division
OPERATION
Inho Lee ᅵ Team Leader, Policy & Research Team
Jiyoung Han ᅵ Assistant Manager, Policy & Research Team
Suji Lee ᅵ Researcher, Digital Informatization Division
ENGAGEMENT DIVISION Policy & Research Division, Strategic Management Department Digital Informatization Division, Education & R&D Department
RESEARCH
Chris Lefteri ᅵ Chris Lefteri Design Director
Youngjin Ko ᅵ Chris Lefteri Design
Gaia Crippa ᅵ Chris Lefteri Design
Abigail Ward ᅵ Chris Lefteri Design
Jihye Hwang ᅵ Chris Lefteri Design
Seungjoon Lee ᅵ Chris Lefteri Design
Yunhye Choi ᅵ Chris Lefteri Design