Introduction to CMF Design: Color, Material, and Finish

Start the course by getting to know Laura, the founder of Colour of Saying. She shares her professional and creative journey, and talks about how her passion for color, design trends, and sustainable materials have influenced her work.

Get an overview of CMF design, its processes and how it applies to product design. Discover the tools and software needed for the course, and get tips on where to find materials. Delve into the world of color by exploring color theory and how to build an appealing palette. Laura goes in-depth about the different types of materials and finishes, their function, and how they convey mood and emotion.

Learn how to take a user-centered approach to CMF by researching target customer profiles and their consumer trends. Laura then discusses trend forecasting and how trends shape our products. With your research done, create a strong visual theme and CMF palette. Then, select the materials and finishes for two design ideas with different moods.

Time to move your project to InDesign to create a mood board with a visual theme and a clear presentation. Laura teaches you how to refine your materials and textures ready to be applied to a visualization of the final product. Move on to Illustrator and learn how to create an illustration of the product with your CMF.

Wrap up the course by hearing the best practices when professionally presenting your work in the product design industry. Laura also shares a variety of industry tips, what comes next if a CMF proposal is approved, and how to prototype it.