Published 04 December 2023

Authors
Sioban Imms
10 min read

E-waste is the fastest-growing waste stream worldwide (WHO, 2023). Innovative consumer electronics brands are responding with recycled, repairable and partly bio-based products. Meanwhile, others seek to captivate, connect and calm consumers with wellness-infused hues, storied surfaces and homely aesthetics. We round up the key colour, material and finish (CMF) trends from across the sector.

Recycled & Repairable

Crafted Naturals

Homely & Harmonious

Wellness-Infused Hues

Storied Surfaces

Adventure-Ready Tech

Luxury Expression

Upbeat & Playful

Ultra-Minimal

In a bid to reduce the ecological footprint of electronic devices, brands are emphasising recycled materials, repairability and elevated aesthetics for reprocessed resources, with a focus on earth tones and playful modularity. Companies with robust sustainability commitments are also exploring ethical solutions to address social issues linked with supply chains.

In a bid to reduce the ecological footprint of electronic devices, brands are emphasising recycled materials, repairability and elevated aesthetics for reprocessed resources, with a focus on earth tones and playful modularity. Companies with robust sustainability commitments are also exploring ethical solutions to address social issues linked with supply chains.

Summary

Recycled & Repairable

In a bid to reduce the ecological footprint of electronic devices, brands are emphasising recycled materials, repairability and elevated aesthetics for reprocessed resources, with a focus on earth tones and playful modularity. Companies with robust sustainability commitments are also exploring ethical solutions to address social issues linked with supply chains.

Crafted Naturals

Bio-based plastics sourced from renewable materials like wheat straw and flax are now being integrated into everyday electronics, including cables, providing a sustainable alternative to petroleum-derived products. Additionally, bamboo and wood, chosen for their acoustic and aesthetic properties, are finding increased use in innovative applications.

Homely & Harmonious

Homely aesthetics inform unobtrusive devices that seamlessly blend with contemporary domestic settings. Neutral white, grey, beige and blush tones, coupled with tactile materials, bring a familiar, comforting and reassuring quality. The prevailing 'quiet luxury' trend caters to those seeking stylish design with discreet functionality.

Wellness-Infused Hues

Contemporary CMF narratives embrace wellness, introducing dynamic qualities to uplift and inspire consumers. Energising shades of purple, pink and orange evoke the calming hues of sunset skies, while soft pastel greens create a sense of botanical serenity. Pearlescent finishes offer a refreshing direction.

Storied Surfaces

Characterful consumer electronics, embellished with decorative patterns, craft details and rich textures, align with the burgeoning trend for storied products (see Evolving Luxury Materials). These devices serve as vessels for storytelling, reflecting diverse cultures, histories and personal narratives, as explored in our A/W 25/26 Colour & Materials Direction Borderless

Adventure-Ready Tech

Catering to adventurous athletes, explorers and fitness enthusiasts, outdoor tech designed to empower outdoor lifestyles is undergoing rigorous testing to ensure maximum resilience and durability. Key attributes include dust- and water-resistance – setting new standards for durability and innovation – and camouflaging colours.

Luxury Expression

As highlighted in Tech Redefines Luxury, the saturation of consumer devices has diminished the prestige associated with upgrading to the latest smartphone. Lacklustre launches are leading people to seek out unique and exclusive designs, favouring rare items with striking and unconventional CMF.

Upbeat & Playful

Space-efficient appliances and miniature portable devices adopt cute and Kawaii aesthetics, featuring sweet pastel colours and lively animated designs that resonate with both children and adults. Joyful hues, such as sunny yellow, play a pivotal role in infusing brightness and optimism into personal accessories, creating a whimsical and light-hearted quality.

Ultra-Minimal

As forecast in Clean Reset, one of our Colour & Material Directions for S/S 2024, a yearning for pleasing simplicity inspires a sleek aesthetic tailored for modern electronics. Crystal clear housing highlights technical precision, while minimal designs in essential white and grey tones are enlivened with bright accents.

CMF Industry View: Consumer Electronics 24/25

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum. Sed ut perspiciatis unde omnis iste natus error sit voluptatem accusantium doloremque laudantium, totam rem aperiam, eaque ipsa quae ab illo inventore veritatis et quasi architecto beatae vitae dicta sunt explicabo. Nemo enim ipsam voluptatem quia voluptas sit aspernatur aut odit aut fugit, sed quia consequuntur magni dolores eos qui ratione voluptatem sequi nesciunt. Neque porro quisquam est, qui dolorem ipsum quia dolor sit amet, consectetur, adipisci velit, sed quia non numquam eius modi tempora incidunt ut labore et dolore magnam aliquam quaerat voluptatem. Ut enim ad minima veniam, quis nostrum exercitationem ullam corporis suscipit laboriosam, nisi ut aliquid ex ea commodi consequatur? Quis autem vel eum iure reprehenderit qui in ea voluptate velit esse quam nihil molestiae consequatur, vel illum qui dolorem eum fugiat quo voluptas nulla pariatur?

Topics

Want to see the full report?

Offering access to over 350 consumer and cross-industry reports annually, Stylus Membership is your window to tomorrow’s most exciting opportunities.

We already arm more than 500 of the world’s most forward-thinking brands and agencies with the creative insights they need to make transformative business decisions.

We’d love to do the same for you.

Book a demo with us today to discover more.

Want to see the full report?

Offering access to over 350 consumer and cross-industry reports annually, Stylus Membership is your window to tomorrow’s most exciting opportunities.

We already arm more than 500 of the world’s most forward-thinking brands and agencies with the creative insights they need to make transformative business decisions.

We’d love to do the same for you.

Book a demo with us today to discover more.

Colour & Material Directions A/W 26/27

Colour & Material Directions A/W 26/27

Colour & Material Directions A/W 26/27

Colour & Material Directions A/W 26/27

Colour & Material Directions A/W 26/27

Our Autumn/Winter 2026/27 Colour & Material Directions encompass three distinct themes, providing valuable visual insights for the design industries and inspiration for future product development.

This season’s directions are:

1 / 10