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.
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
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 centred 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
Colour perception plays a vital role in shaping daily behaviours, as highlighted by Shen Xiaolian, Brand Director of Schattdecor-Renolit and Deputy Director of the Home Colour Research Institute of the CFCA. Her presentation, Five-Sense Colours and Spatial Emotions, delved into the profound influence of colours on emotions, cognition, and decision-making.
Shen emphasized the "7-second rule" in colour marketing, noting that colours 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 colours and auditory, olfactory, tactile, and gustatory senses.
Trends shaping the future
Evolving from quantity to quality, CMF (Colour, 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.
Colour: 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.
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.
More information:
CIFF
www.ciff-gz.com