CMF HOW's Conferece 2025 Showcases CMF Trends and Strategies

-12 Nov(Wed), COEX, Room 403

The 2025 CMF HOW'S Conference opened on Wednesday, November 12 at COEX, bringing together experts to explore emerging CMF trends and strategic responses across industries. Now in its second year, the conference is held annually during DESIGN KOREA,

Launched last year, the CMF HOW'S Conference serves as a professional forum where domestic and international CMF (Colors, Materials, Finishes) specialists gather to discuss new directions for the design industry. The event provides a comprehensive look at the latest CMF developments through trend forecasting, case studies of real-world corporate applications, and networking opportunities aimed at fostering information exchange and collaboration.

CMF—color, material, and finish—has become a central pillar guiding the future of design, spanning everything from fine emotional expression to technological innovation. In recent years, CMF has evolved into a communication tool bridging brand identity and user experience. By harmonizing diverse materials, hues, and textures, CMF now plays a pivotal role as a key competitive factor in manufacturing. Since 2019, the Korea Institute of Design Promotion (KIDP) has been building a database of production-ready CMF data and beginning this year, plans to develop an AI-powered CMF recommendation and collaboration solution based on emotional-language analysis over the next four years.

● Explore our CMF Library HERE

● Download the CMF Trend Report HERE

This year’s conference, held under the theme "CMF Designing the New Era – From Living to Tech", brought together experts from leading global and domestic CMF-driven companies, including Adobe, KIA, Chris Lefteri Design, CREAPORT, and LAB.CRETE, to share their philosophies and hands-on experiences.

Chris Lefteri, founder of Chris Lefteri Design, delivered a keynote based on the jointly developed “2026–2027 CMF Design Trend Report,” highlighting the need for a strategic shift in CMF within the broader movement toward a circular economy.

Marillia Bill, Head of CMF at Kia Next, presented the brand’s CMF design vision inspired by nature and Kia’s design philosophy, introducing the brand’s principles for CMF composition and its approach to sustainability through examples drawn from EV show cars.

Nicolas Polach, Head of 3D Content at Adobe, discussed CMF execution and management in digital environments, outlining plans to standardize material representation with Substance 3D and enhance workflows to ensure consistency between digital and physical outputs.

The session titled "Materials Loved by Designers" spotlighted Korean design studios and creators who specialize in experimental, materials-centered design.

● Jongdae Ryu, CEO of CREAPORT, introduced new materials and finishing techniques that merge digital technologies—such as 3D printing—with traditional craftsmanship, expanding the emotional and sustainable potential of CMF under the concept of digital craft.

● Hyeonjae Lee, designer at LAB.CRETE, showcased works exploring the aesthetic and tactile possibilities of industrial and marine waste, natural materials such as loess and charcoal powder, and concrete.

KIDP President Yoon Sang Heum emphasized the organization's commitment to strengthening CMF capabilities within small and medium-sized enterprises, stating, "We aim to establish a virtuous cycle in CMF support—building, operating, and expanding a robust support framework. By integrating emerging technologies such as AI, we will develop accessible CMF solutions and continue listening closely to voices from the field to ensure our support leads to tangible results."

Welcome Remarks by the President of Korea Institute of Design Promotion, Sang Heum YOON