Drawing Inspiration from Nature: An Ancient Wisdom with Profound Modern Relevance.
Sunon, a leader in the office and home furniture industry, has long embraced the concept of “bringing nature into the office” as a cornerstone of its design philosophy. This commitment to sustainability has culminated in a “green” answer to the evolving needs of modern workplaces.
On January 7, 2025, the CMF Trends LAB_2025 corporate co-creation workshop—jointly organized by CIFF (Guangzhou), YANG DESIGN, and CREATOR—was held at Sunon’s Innovation Park in Hangzhou.
This collaborative initiative brought together over 40 CMF designers and spatial planners from Sunon to explore the integration of nature, technology, health, and art in office space design. The workshop aimed to envision a new paradigm for sustainable workspaces, reflecting both practical innovation and artistic harmony.
The event featured insightful contributions from industry leaders and trendsetters:
Huang Xiaojing: Co-Curator of CMF Trends
LAB, Partner and Strategy Director at YANG DESIGN, and Editor-in-Chief of China
Design Trends Report
Shen Xiaolian: Brand Director of RENOLIT, Vice President of CFCA Home Color
Research Institute
Xia Qiaoling: Director of the Innovation Center, Sunon Research Institute
Wu Huanhuan: Director of Space Planning, Sunon Technology Brand Center
Cai Lin: Director of the Proposal Center, Sunon Technology Brand Center
Zhu Fengmei: Director of Marketing and Planning, Sunon Technology Brand Center
Zang Xiaohong: Deputy Director of Marketing and Planning, Sunon Technology
Brand Center
Wang Shuang: CMF Designer, Sunon Research Institute
Zhao Wei: Marketing Promotion Lead, CIFF (Guangzhou)
Chen Lina: Co-Founder, CREATOR
This workshop aimed to delve into the practical application and implementation potential of CMF design trends in product development through in-depth discussions with frontline corporate R&D and design teams.
From concepts to technologies, from preliminary insights to the integration of production and trade, the workshop brought together trend research institutions, corporate R&D teams, and exhibition platforms. By encompassing the entire product lifecycle, it sought to empower enterprises with forward-looking trends presented in the CMF Trends LAB_2025 exhibition, driving high-quality development across the broader home and commercial furniture industry.
Exploring the Future of Workspaces Between Technology and Humanity
As highlighted by Zhu Fengmei, Director of Marketing and Planning at Sunon, the company is fully committed to advancing R&D and remains at the forefront of CMF design trends and technologies. Sunon plans to establish an in-house CMF laboratory to inject new vitality into its product innovation, aligning with its vision for healthy, ecological, and sustainable office solutions.
The trends highlighted in the CMF Trends LAB_2025 exhibition align seamlessly with Sunon’s ongoing exploration of office and commercial design. For years, Sunon has been committed to delivering visions and experiences centered on healthy, ecological, and sustainable workspaces. Through the collaborative explorations in the CMF Trends LAB_2025 workshop, Sunon aims to bring new forward-looking perspectives and strategic value to its March presentation at the China International Furniture Fair (Guangzhou) and future product R&D. Together, these efforts envision a harmonious future where nature and office spaces coexist seamlessly.
Refining Universal Needs Through Sensory and Emotional Perception
Color perception plays a vital role in shaping daily behaviors, as highlighted by Shen Xiaolian, Brand Director of Schattdecor-Renolit and Deputy Director of the Home Color Research Institute of the CFCA. Her presentation, Five-Sense Colors and Spatial Emotions, delved into the profound influence of colors on emotions, cognition, and decision-making.
Shen emphasized the “7-second rule” in color marketing, noting that colors not only serve as visual stimuli but also significantly impact emotions and perceptions, driving purchasing decisions. With visual information processing efficiency at 83%, well-crafted sensory experiences can enhance comfort, emotional connection, and a sense of belonging in spaces. Through interactive exercises, participants directly experienced the intricate connections between colors and auditory, olfactory, tactile, and gustatory senses.
Colors interpreted through diverse senses can articulate meaning, while systematic, strategic, and forward-looking color trends provide designers with actionable insights and inspiration. Drawing from the findings of the 2026+ CMG Asia-Pacific Color Forecasting Seminar, there are three key drivers of emerging trends: shifts in lifestyle and society, technological advancements, and a growing focus on environmental sustainability.
The “COLOUR ROAD 25/26” series, set to debut at the March CMF Trends LAB_2025 exhibition, will explore the role of colors as a fundamental element of sensory experiences extend beyond their spectral qualities. This initiative focuses on the integration of digital revolution-driven technological advancements and the growing demand for interactive, authentic experiences. It aims to translate these insights into innovative solutions for diverse spatial applications, shaping the future of experiential design.
Designing in Harmony with Nature: Trends Shaping the Future
Evolving from quantity to quality, CMF (Color, Material, Finish) design has emerged as a pivotal tool for enhancing innovation and efficiency in corporate research and development. In this field, the China Design Trends Report—built on 11 years of practical experience—stands as one of the leading authorities tailored to the Chinese market.
At the event, Xiaojing Huang,
Co-Curator of the CMF Trends LAB, Partner and Strategy Director at YANG DESIGN,
and Editor-in-Chief of the China Design Trends Report, provided an in-depth
analysis of the 2025-2026 China Design Trends Report.
The report utilizes a proprietary four-step trend forecasting methodology, focusing on four primary dimensions: traditional culture, the passion economy, the digital revolution, and sustainable development. From this foundation, four thematic trends—“Refined Elegance,” “Hidden Corners,” “Digital Cambrian,” and “Symbiotic Relationships”—have been identified, forming the curatorial pillars of the CMF Trends LAB_2025 exhibition.
Drawing design inspiration from symbiotic relationships goes beyond technological innovation and aesthetic enhancement; it serves as a guide for action born from a profound reflection on the relationship between humans and nature. This philosophy advocates for a new way of life and values, where humans are no longer conquerors of the natural world, but instead, integral parts of the ecosystem, working alongside other life forms to maintain the health and prosperity of the Earth. This design philosophy plays a crucial role in promoting global sustainable development and realizing a harmonious coexistence between humanity and nature in the future.
Color: Inspired by ecosystems, drawing from the symbiotic organisms across land, sea, and sky, reflecting the interconnectedness and coexistence inherent in nature.
Materials: Reflecting a pro-nature ethos, materials are sourced directly from biological entities or are renewable, biodegradable options, utilizing biomimicry to promote pollution-free, recyclable, and energy-efficient solutions that contribute to carbon neutrality goals.
Surface Patterns and Textures: Derived from billions of years of evolutionary wisdom, these elements inspire biomimetic design, offering practical and aesthetic solutions.
Achieving Industry and Trade Prosperity through Innovation and Breakthroughs
Zhao Wei, Market Promotion Director of the China International Furniture Fair (CIFF) in Guangzhou, highlighted the resilience and dynamism of China’s home furnishing industry over the past year. CIFF Guangzhou has played a pivotal role in driving high-quality development across the sector, with multiple milestones achieved in 2024.
Scheduled for March 18–21 and 28–31, the 55th CIFF Guangzhou will embrace the theme of “Design as New Power.” The event aims to strengthen the home furnishing sector with its comprehensive, multi-disciplinary platform, bringing together innovation and opportunities for industry transformation.
The CMF Trends LAB 2025 special exhibition will return with significant upgrades, presenting:
Over 500 innovative works and materials curated from renowned global material experts, 50+ institutions, brands, and independent designers. Four dedicated CMF trend labs, showcasing high-quality products and new experiences to guide emerging trends in the home furnishing industry.
For the first time, the exhibition will also feature pre-show co-creation workshops, uniting industry and material experts to empower enterprises with cutting-edge CMF trend research. This approach aims to bridge the gap between trend studies and practical applications, ensuring the seamless integration of innovation into enterprise R&D. By laying the groundwork for new products and technologies, CIFF Guangzhou continues to promote sustainable and high-quality development in the broader home furnishing industry.
A Creative Exploration of Office Chair Design: CMF Innovation Co-Creation Workshop Featuring the ‘HATU’ Series
At the “CMF Trends LAB_2025” Corporate Co-Creation Workshop, led by trend curator Huang Xiaojing, designers from various R&D departments at Sunon gathered to explore CMF (Color, Material, Finish) innovations for Sunon’s flagship product—the HATU series. Three teams delved into sustainable design, each offering unique and forward-thinking solutions that draw attention to public awareness, material innovation, and lifestyle values.
Team A focused on marine conservation, presenting the concept “Tides,” inspired by ocean landscapes, flora, and fauna. Through form, materials, and color schemes, their work calls for greater public attention to marine environments and proactive efforts to protect biodiversity in the oceans.
Team B placed the spotlight on mycelium, a groundbreaking biological material, crafting their design “Forest Weave.” By leveraging mycelium’s growth patterns and vitality, they envisioned a chair symbolizing natural symbiosis—”forests weaving chairs, chairs shaping forests.” The net-like structure also enhances ergonomic support by providing a snug, enveloping comfort.
Team C centered their exploration around three Sunon R&D pillars: Humans, Technology, and Nature. Titled “Where the Wind Blows,” their design integrated natural elements like green leaf-inspired hues, soothing shapes, elastic 3D printing, and even therapeutic massage functionality, creating a chair that evokes a serene, nature-infused user experience.
Designing for humanity, nature, and the planet is both a modern challenge and a critical responsibility. CMF design provides a systematic approach to product lifecycle innovation, making it a reliable tool for brands to pursue sustainability while fostering creativity and fresh perspectives.
This workshop, using the HATU series as a launchpad, represents the beginning of a journey to address these pressing concerns. As we look forward to the unveiling of “CMF Trends LAB_2025” in March, the workshop’s outcomes are sure to culminate in even more exciting innovations. Stay tuned to join us for the grand reveal!
