Connor Grady

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Visualization

Graphic

Apparel

Home

Visualization

Graphic

Apparel

CMF Trend Spotting - CMF Application

Year

2025

Skills

CMF Trend Spotting

CMF Research

Digital Rendering


A detailed recording of Political, Economic, Socioeconomic, Technological, Environmental and Legal (PESTEL) news highlights from February 5th to April 20th.


Emotion drives trends within product design. This project aims to capture the emotions of the world through major news stories and CMF trends.


These trends were then summarized and applied to a product of choice.

The Structure

The Structure

Each day, major news stories were captured for each of the PESTEL categories with sources and their titles. Brief summaries of the importance of each article were also written.

Macrotrend: International Trade

01.

Domestic manufacturing, material gatherings.


Less reliance on overseas manufacturers for domestic companies and products.

02.

Companies will take steps to reduce the manufacturing cost of products in any way possible, utilizing a “More with Less” mentality.

Trends Mapping


Key trends were extracted from the PESTEL report to direct CMF design research focus.


The Macrotrend "International Trade" was selected.

Trends Mapping


Key trends were extracted from the PESTLE report to direct CMF design research focus.


The Macrotrend "International Trade" was selected.

Trends Mapping


Key trends were extracted from the PESTLE report to direct CMF design research focus.


The Macrotrend "International Trade" was selected.

Macrotrend: International Trade

01.

01.

Domestic manufacturing, material gatherings.


Less reliance on overseas manufacturers for domestic companies and products.

02.

02.

Companies will take steps to reduce the manufacturing cost of products in any way possible, utilizing a “More with Less” mentality.

Case studies

Sprite “Naked For Now”


Cutting production costs, and reduce outsourcing. Allows for bottles to be manufactured in only one place. Labeled as a "Sustainable Solution".


BYD Takes on Tesla Globally


Tariffs on Chinese imports and exports from the United States have pushed the global EV market away from Tesla’s domestic presence.

Columbia Sportswear Pockets


Columbia Sportswear began manufacturing many of their products with small, discreet pockets.


Small design changes “Tariff Engineering”, allow products to fall into other import categories, evading tariffs.

The current product.

The Sakold Handheld Vacuum Cleaner was purchased, modeled, and analyzed to determine its color composition, color weight, and applications.

The current product.

The Sakold Handheld Vacuum Cleaner was purchased, modeled, and analyzed to determine its color composition, color weight, and applications.

CMF indicators.

Each material of the exterior of the product was separated to understand the functional and emotional weight behind its assigned color.

These hierarchies were kept in mind to be applied to the new colorway.

CMF indicators.

Each material of the exterior of the product was separated to understand the functional and emotional weight behind its assigned color.

These hierarchies were kept in mind to be applied to the new colorway.

Market analysis.

The chosen product was compared to other industry leaders to find the relationship between price and color saturation on products.

A distinct palette became apparent surrounding the positioning of the product.

Market analysis.

The chosen product was compared to other industry leaders to find the relationship between price and color saturation on products.

A distinct palette became apparent surrounding the positioning of the product.

Discovering color.

Initial colors stem from PESTEL articles, 2025 New York Fashion Week, CES 2025, 2025 Milan Design Week, and many others.

The economic, political, and socioeconomic landscape of the year suggest themes of uncertainty, dynamism, and a desire for effortless comfort, luxury and, sure-ness.

Discovering color.

Initial colors stem from PESTEL articles, 2025 New York Fashion Week, CES 2025, 2025 Milan Design Week, and many others.

The economic, political, and socioeconomic landscape of the year suggest themes of uncertainty, dynamism, and a desire for effortless comfort, luxury and, sure-ness.

Proving a palette.

Proving a palette.

Finding evidence of discovered color trends in 2025 design movements, and how they relate to PESTEL findings.

Finding evidence of discovered color trends in 2025 design movements, and how they relate to PESTEL findings.

Palette finalization.



Faded themes of shipping yards, trade floors, and dreams of simplicity. Clay-tone colors bring a natural element to an un-natural world, reminding the viewer of heritage neutrals
.

The colors stay primarily neutral, along a terracotta spectrum, remaining distinctly “American”, and yet somehow welcoming and natural.

Palette finalization.



Faded themes of shipping yards, trade floors, and dreams of simplicity. Clay-tone colors bring a natural element to an un-natural world, reminding the viewer of heritage neutrals
.

The colors stay primarily neutral, along a terracotta spectrum, remaining distinctly “American”, and yet somehow welcoming and natural.

Palette finalization

The colors stay primarily neutral, along a terracotta spectrum, remaining distinctly “American”, and yet somehow welcoming and natural.

Color Drivers & Response.

Color Drivers & Response.

Primary: "Laurel Wreath"


Trends involving industry, manufacturing, and international trade point to a greater focus on comfort, and nature in design. To counteract the industrialized socioeconomic focus, designs take on a sense of bringing nature into the home.


Secondary: "Fired Brick"


Interior design become flooded with luxurious, velvet-like maroons. A sense of bringing luxury, stability, and a calming "sure-ness" into the home allows individuals to feel confident and welcomed by their surroundings.

Recycled PET Non-Woven Fiber


Tariffs on Chinese imports and exports from the United States have pushed the global EV market away from Tesla’s domestic presence.

Why Now?

rABS can be sustainably sourced domestically. Additionally, since it falls under a recycled medium, it falls under a lower tariff bracket, making it more affordable.

Tertiary: "Nightshadow Blue"


A theme of uncertainty in the vastness of the socioeconomic landscape engulfed the year. Muted blues accepted a melancholy nature into the home, while creating a sense of premium distinction.

Accent: "Spice Route"


A year of dynamism, and movement both physically and figuratively creates themes of a fast paced future. Consumers embrace products that resemble this excitement, while creating comfort in their dynamism.

Color Direction

Color Direction

Material + Finish Trends

Material + Finish Trends

Ready to Assemble Design


  • Cheaper manufacturing

  • Lower duty tariff classification

  • Durable materials and finish

Ready to Assemble Design


  • Cheaper manufacturing

  • Lower duty tariff classification

  • Durable materials and finish

Not Quite Leather


  • Synthetic vinyl or polyurethane

  • Reduce import costs

  • Lower duty tariff classification

Not Quite Leather


  • Synthetic vinyl or polyurethane

  • Reduce import costs

  • Lower duty tariff classification

Modularity


  • Separately manufactured components

  • Assembled in one location

  • Avoid certain tariffs

Design Persona


  • High tariff utility products can be advertised as consumer goods

  • Consumer trucks classified as "Cars"

  • Marketing and engineering verbiage shift

Modularity


  • Separately manufactured components

  • Assembled in one location

  • Avoid certain tariffs

Design Persona


  • High tariff utility products can be advertised as consumer goods

  • Consumer trucks classified as "Cars"

  • Marketing and engineering verbiage shift

Material Discovery

Material Discovery

rABS Compressed Plastic


Naturally rough or grainy surface for tactile finishes. High surface impact resistance, and easily injection moldable.


Why Now?


rABS can be sustainably sourced domestically. Additionally, since it falls under a recycled medium, it falls under a lower tariff bracket, making it more affordable.


Recycled PET Non-Woven Fiber


rPET is the primary fiber sourced from recycled water bottles, and is the most common recycled plastic used for injection and compression molding.


Why Now?

It can be domestically sourced, and is in abundance in the United States. Additionally, It is HEPA-capable, where paper filters are not, making it even stronger of a filtration material.

Recycled PET Non-Woven Fiber


Tariffs on Chinese imports and exports from the United States have pushed the global EV market away from Tesla’s domestic presence.

Why Now?

rABS can be sustainably sourced domestically. Additionally, since it falls under a recycled medium, it falls under a lower tariff bracket, making it more affordable.

Water Based Reactive Plastics Dyes


Water based reactive dyes create the most color, with the least amount of sustainability harming chemicals. They chemically bond to PET and ABS, meaning their bright colors will not deteriorate.


Why Now?


Water based plastic dyes can be integrated into domestic manufacturing with little harm to sustainability. Adtionally, it is the most vibrant option for recycled plastics.

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