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Rina Shin

Join Rina Shin from Unwrap CMF in this comprehensive online course dedicated to the specialized field of CMF (Color, Material, Finish) Design, an integral part of industrial design. This course is perfect for industrial designers, design students, engineers, product managers, hardware startups, and anyone involved in product development who is seeking to understand and apply CMF principles to enhance product aesthetics and perceived quality.

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Join Rina Shin from Unwrap CMF in this comprehensive online course dedicated to the specialized field of CMF (Color, Material, Finish) Design, an integral part of industrial design. This course is perfect for industrial designers, design students, engineers, product managers, hardware startups, and anyone involved in product development who is seeking to understand and apply CMF principles to enhance product aesthetics and perceived quality.

In this course, you will learn about the value of CMF in the product-making process and how it serves as the secret sauce that adds a layer of taste to lure consumer desires. You will also learn about the workflow of CMF Design from strategy to execution, and the role of CMF in creating desirable products, exploring how thoughtful design choices in color, material, and finish can significantly impact a product's appeal.

Whether you’re a beginner or looking to refine your skills, this course offers valuable knowledge to advance your career in design. By the end of this course, you'll gain valuable insights and practical skills to elevate your career and create impactful, consumer-facing products. You will learn how to apply CMF principles effectively to make your designs stand out in the competitive market. Join Rina and explore the superpower of CMF Design, unlocking the potential to create products that resonate with consumers on a deeper, more emotional level.

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What's inside

Learning objectives

  • Understand the fundamentals of cmf design and industry applications
  • Learn the stages of strategy, concept, and execution in a cmf workflow
  • Recognize the values of cmf when transitioning a design concept to production
  • Get to know the role of cmf in enhancing consumer experiences

Syllabus

Introduction
Why Learn CMF?
The Magic and Misconceptions of CMF!
Let’s Unwrap C-M-F!
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Quiz Time!
Industry Applications: Where to Find CMF?
How Does CMF Make a Difference?
Understanding the CMF Workflow!

We’ve covered a lot of ground on CMF Design. Now it’s time to test your knowledge with a quick quiz to see how much you’ve absorbed!

CMF Workflow: Strategy!
CMF Workflow: Concept!
CMF Workflow: Execution!

Now that we’ve explored the different stages of the CMF Workflow, it’s time to dive deeper and test your understanding. Get ready to challenge yourself with this next quiz and see how well you’ve absorbed the knowledge!

How to Become CMF Designers?
Should You Hire CMF Designers?
Key CMF Terminologies!

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Save What is CMF Design? to your list so you can find it easily later:
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Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in What is CMF Design? with these activities:
Read 'Materials for Design' by Victoria Ballard Bell and Patrick Rand
Familiarize yourself with a wide range of materials and their properties to enhance your understanding of material selection in CMF design.
Show steps
  • Obtain a copy of 'Materials for Design'.
  • Read the chapters relevant to product design.
  • Take notes on key material properties and applications.
Read 'Surface Design for Product' by Kevin Henry
Familiarize yourself with a wide range of surface design techniques and their properties to enhance your understanding of finish selection in CMF design.
Show steps
  • Obtain a copy of 'Surface Design for Product'.
  • Read the chapters relevant to product design.
  • Take notes on key surface design properties and applications.
Curate a CMF Inspiration Board
Develop your eye for CMF by creating a visual collection of inspiring color palettes, materials, and finishes.
Show steps
  • Gather images of products with appealing CMF design.
  • Organize the images into a digital or physical board.
  • Annotate the board with notes on why each CMF choice is effective.
Three other activities
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Show all six activities
CMF Resource Library
Build a collection of useful resources for CMF design, including material databases, color trend reports, and finishing technique guides.
Show steps
  • Research online resources for CMF design.
  • Categorize the resources by type (e.g., materials, colors, finishes).
  • Create a document or spreadsheet to organize the resources.
  • Add brief descriptions of each resource and its relevance to CMF design.
CMF Redesign Challenge
Apply CMF principles to redesign an existing product, focusing on enhancing its aesthetic appeal and perceived value.
Show steps
  • Select a product to redesign.
  • Analyze the existing CMF and identify areas for improvement.
  • Develop a new CMF strategy based on target audience and brand identity.
  • Create visual mockups of the redesigned product with the new CMF.
CMF Presentation for a Fictional Product
Create a presentation showcasing your CMF design process for a hypothetical product, demonstrating your understanding of strategy, concept, and execution.
Show steps
  • Define a fictional product and its target audience.
  • Develop a CMF strategy aligned with the product's brand and market positioning.
  • Create a presentation outlining the CMF design process, including material selection, color palettes, and finish specifications.
  • Present your CMF design to peers or mentors for feedback.

Career center

Learners who complete What is CMF Design? will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Industrial Designer
As an Industrial Designer, you focus on the aesthetics, function, and manufacturability of products. This course helps you master Color, Material, and Finish (CMF) design, an integral part of industrial design. Learning about CMF principles and how they are applied enhances product aesthetics and perceived quality. You'll understand the value of CMF in the product-making process and how it serves as the secret sauce that adds a layer of taste to lure consumer desires. Learning about the workflow of CMF design, including strategy, concept, and execution helps you create desirable products, exploring how thoughtful design choices in color, material, and finish can significantly impact a product's appeal. Someone looking to become an Industrial Designer should take this course to learn how to apply CMF principles effectively to make designs stand out in the competitive market.
Product Designer
Product Designers are responsible for the overall design and user experience of a product. This course provides insights into Color, Material, and Finish (CMF) design, enhancing your ability to create products that resonate with consumers. The course explores how thoughtful design choices in color, material, and finish can significantly impact a product's appeal. You will learn about the value of CMF in the product-making process and how it serves as the secret sauce that adds a layer of taste to lure consumer desires. The course covers the workflow of CMF design from strategy to execution, and the role of CMF in creating desirable products. Taking this course enables you to advance your career in design by gaining valuable insights and practical skills to elevate your career and create impactful, consumer-facing products.
Design Engineer
Design Engineers blend engineering principles with design aesthetics. This course provides a focused understanding of Color, Material, and Finish (CMF) design, allowing you to integrate these elements into your engineering designs effectively. Learning about the workflow of CMF design from strategy to execution allows you to create desirable products, exploring how thoughtful design choices in color, material, and finish can significantly impact a product's appeal. The course demonstrates the value of CMF in the product-making process and how it serves as the secret sauce that adds a layer of taste to lure consumer desires. Design Engineers who take this course learn how to apply CMF principles effectively to make your designs stand out in the competitive market.
Product Manager
Product Managers guide the vision and strategy for a product, and understanding Color, Material, and Finish (CMF) design is crucial for making informed decisions about product aesthetics and appeal. Learning the stages of strategy, concept, and execution in a CMF workflow helps you drive the product development process. This course enables you to understand the value of CMF in the product-making process and how it serves as the secret sauce that adds a layer of taste to lure consumer desires. You will also learn how to apply CMF principles effectively. Taking this course will help you create impactful, consumer-facing products.
User Experience Designer
User Experience Designers focus on creating positive and engaging experiences for users, and the choice of Color, Material, and Finish (CMF) plays a significant role in shaping these experiences. This course provides the knowledge to consider CMF elements in your designs, enhancing the emotional connection users have with the product. You will learn about the value of CMF in the product-making process and how it serves as the secret sauce that adds a layer of taste to lure consumer desires. Learning about the workflow of CMF design from strategy to execution helps you create desirable products, exploring how thoughtful design choices in color, material, and finish can significantly impact a product's appeal. Someone looking to become a User Experience Designer should take this course to learn how to apply CMF principles effectively to make your designs stand out in the competitive market.
Materials Scientist
Materials Scientists research and develop new materials, and understanding Color, Material, and Finish (CMF) design provides valuable insights into how these materials can be used to enhance product aesthetics and appeal. This course emphasizes the importance of material selection in product design. You will learn about the value of CMF in the product-making process and how it serves as the secret sauce that adds a layer of taste to lure consumer desires. Learning about the workflow of CMF design from strategy to execution helps you create desirable products, exploring how thoughtful design choices in color, material, and finish can significantly impact a product's appeal. Taking this course enables you to advance your career in design by gaining valuable insights and practical skills to elevate your career and create impactful, consumer-facing products.
Design Strategist
Design Strategists develop strategies that align design with business goals, and a deep understanding of Color, Material, and Finish (CMF) design can inform these strategies by considering the emotional and aesthetic impact of product design. The course explores the critical relationship between CMF and consumer preferences. You will learn about the value of CMF in the product-making process and how it serves as the secret sauce that adds a layer of taste to lure consumer desires. Learning about the workflow of CMF design from strategy to execution helps you create desirable products, exploring how thoughtful design choices in color, material, and finish can significantly impact a product's appeal. This course may be useful for Design Strategists looking to understand CMF principles effectively to make your designs stand out in the competitive market.
Manufacturing Engineer
Manufacturing Engineers oversee the production process, and knowledge of Color, Material, and Finish (CMF) design can contribute to optimizing manufacturing processes to achieve desired aesthetic outcomes. This course details the considerations needed when transitioning a design concept to production. You will learn about the value of CMF in the product-making process and how it serves as the secret sauce that adds a layer of taste to lure consumer desires. Learning about the workflow of CMF design from strategy to execution helps you create desirable products, exploring how thoughtful design choices in color, material, and finish can significantly impact a product's appeal. This course may be useful for manufacturing engineers.
Quality Assurance Manager
Quality Assurance Managers ensure products meet specific standards, and an understanding of Color, Material, and Finish (CMF) design helps in evaluating the aesthetic quality of products. This course helps you recognize the values of CMF when transitioning a design concept to production. You will learn about the value of CMF in the product-making process and how it serves as the secret sauce that adds a layer of taste to lure consumer desires. Learning about the workflow of CMF design from strategy to execution helps you create desirable products, exploring how thoughtful design choices in color, material, and finish can significantly impact a product's appeal. This course may be useful for quality assurance managers.
Art Director
Art Directors are responsible for the visual style and images of a product, and understanding Color, Material, and Finish (CMF) design helps guide those choices. You will learn about the value of CMF in the product-making process and how it serves as the secret sauce that adds a layer of taste to lure consumer desires. Learning about the workflow of CMF design from strategy to execution helps you create desirable products, exploring how thoughtful design choices in color, material, and finish can significantly impact a product's appeal. This course may be useful for art directors.
Product Marketing Manager
Product Marketing Managers oversee the marketing and promotion of products, and understanding Color, Material, and Finish (CMF) design can inform marketing strategies by highlighting the aesthetic appeal of products. The course shows how thoughtful design choices in color, material, and finish can significantly impact a product's appeal. You will learn about the value of CMF in the product-making process and how it serves as the secret sauce that adds a layer of taste to lure consumer desires. Learning about the workflow of CMF design from strategy to execution helps you create desirable products. This course may be useful for product marketing managers.
Visual Designer
Visual Designers create visually appealing designs, and a knowledge of Color, Material, and Finish (CMF) principles enhances your ability to make informed choices. You will learn about the value of CMF in the product-making process and how it serves as the secret sauce that adds a layer of taste to lure consumer desires. Learning about the workflow of CMF design from strategy to execution helps you create desirable products, exploring how thoughtful design choices in color, material, and finish can significantly impact a product's appeal. This course may be useful for visual designers.
Brand Manager
Brand Managers oversee all aspects of a brand, and an understanding of Color, Material, and Finish (CMF) design can contribute to maintaining a consistent and appealing brand aesthetic. The course focuses on the relationship between design choices and consumer perception. You will learn about the value of CMF in the product-making process and how it serves as the secret sauce that adds a layer of taste to lure consumer desires. Learning about the workflow of CMF design from strategy to execution helps you create desirable products. This course may be useful for brand managers.
Stylist
Stylists combine clothing and accessories into coordinated outfits. Students will learn about the value of CMF in the product-making process and how it serves as the secret sauce that adds a layer of taste to lure consumer desires. Learning about the workflow of CMF Design from strategy to execution helps you create desirable products, exploring how thoughtful design choices in color, material, and finish can significantly impact a product's appeal. This course may be useful for stylists.
Technical Writer
Technical Writers prepare instruction manuals, how-to guides, journal articles, and other supporting documents to communicate complex and technical information more easily. The course enhances your ability to recognize the values of CMF when transitioning a design concept to production. You will learn about the value of CMF in the product-making process and how it serves as the secret sauce that adds a layer of taste to lure consumer desires. Learning about the workflow of CMF design from strategy to execution helps you create desirable products, exploring how thoughtful design choices in color, material, and finish can significantly impact a product's appeal. This course may be useful for technical writers.

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in What is CMF Design?.
Provides a comprehensive overview of various materials used in design, including their properties, manufacturing processes, and applications. It's a valuable resource for understanding the 'M' in CMF design. The book helps students make informed decisions about material selection based on aesthetic, functional, and sustainability considerations. It serves as a useful reference tool throughout the course and beyond.
Provides a comprehensive overview of various surface design techniques used in product design, including their properties, manufacturing processes, and applications. It's a valuable resource for understanding the 'F' in CMF design. The book helps students make informed decisions about surface design based on aesthetic, functional, and sustainability considerations. It serves as a useful reference tool throughout the course and beyond.

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