hida - Color Material Finish specialists (히다랩)

Designing
High-Tech,
Cutting-edge

02-14-2024 save btn Save

Digital dresses with real-time changing patterns
Symbol of future high-tech technology

CMF(Color, Material, Finish) Newsletter. 2024.2-1

In an era of advanced science where artificial intelligence and robots replace human labor and drones deliver goods, 'High-Tech' is being highlighted in various fields. High-Tech is a term that encompasses the application of advanced science to the production of cutting-edge products. The keyword for the February CMF (Color, Material, Finish) newsletter is High-Tech. Designers may face challenges in expressing the CMF of high-tech products. In Part1, we will explore how high-tech is being applied in the fashion and product fields and examine CMF design inspirations that can be derived from various examples.

Fashion

Digital dresses with real-time changing patterns

ⓒCuteCircuit

The 'Sound Shirt' from the UK fashion tech company CuteCircuit features 28 embedded micro actuators in the fabric. These actuators receive wireless real-time music and sound converted from data captured on stage during orchestra performances or while playing video games. This allows wearers to feel the sound of trumpets on their arms and provides a drum-like sensation for audiences with hearing impairments. The CMF feature of this Sound Shirt includes micro actuators designed to glow with LEDs, and ink that reacts to light and darkness printed on the fabric surface in unique patterns.

ⓒAdobe

Adobe, a software company, unveiled the 'Digital Interactive Dress' in 2023, developed by Adobe researcher Christine Dierk. It implements pattern images by connecting an artificial intelligence image generation program called 'Firefly' to a smart window that can change light transmission in real-time using a reflective polymer dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC). Each piece attached to the dress contains sensors that respond to human movements, allowing the dress pattern to change with specific gestures. This advanced display consumes less power compared to traditional LCDs and allows for freeform fabrication, making it applicable not only to clothing but also accessories, furniture, outdoor billboards, etc.

hïda's CMF Selection

ⓒVollebak

Vollebak, known for developing experimental clothing using high-tech materials and technologies, introduced the 'Black Squid Jacket'. This black jacket is made of polyester with over 2 billion glass spheres coated with resin on the surface, creating a brilliant rainbow light when exposed to strong light. While squid achieve this effect through the microscopic patterned structure on their skin's surface that reacts to complex neural networks, this product achieves it with glass spheres. Additionally, it is designed to be waterproof and windproof for harsh conditions.

hïda's CMF Selection

ⓒVollebak

Vollebak's shirt made of high-strength flame-resistant aramid fibers utilizes the traditional Japanese embroidery technique called 'Sashiko'. Originally meaning 'little stabs', Sashiko refers to a method of repairing worn-out areas of clothing or creating a double-layer structure to increase strength. 'V' stitches of the double layer are distributed less on the elbows requiring mobility, while denser stitches towards the bottom of the shirt illustrate the basic philosophy of design where function shapes form. This demonstrates that high-tech design doesn't necessarily have to be flashy or extravagant.

ⓒVollebak

Moreover, Vollebak's 'High-Performance Aerogel Jacket' is worth noting. It is made from two materials suitable for space travel. Inside, there is a completely new type of aerogel developed by a team creating new aerogel insulators for Mars exploration robots. The outer shell, which protects the aerogel, is made of the only fabric on Earth, Mars, and Titan, used in parachutes for landing the first spacecraft on Titan and the last one on Mars.

hïda's CMF Selection

Product

Symbol of future high-tech technology

ⓒApple

Apple's 'iPhone 15 Pro' visually represents the leading technology and performance of the iPhone with its lightweight and strong titanium body frame. Additionally, the meticulously processed titanium surface forms a hairline pattern through sanding and brushing processes, while the interior uses recycled aluminum structures, taking into account the company's social responsibility.

hïda's CMF Selection

ⓒL'Oréal

L'Oreal's new hairdryer 'AirLight Pro' distinguishes itself from traditional coil heating methods with 17 special blades and tungsten halogen bulb-based infrared technology. The product maintains hair moisture with tungsten infrared bulbs while showcasing a luxurious design with a matte, colorless CMF on the body and translucent materials that utilize light.

ⓒBell&Ross

Bell&Ross's 'Cyber Skull Sapphire' watch is a piece symbolizing future high-tech technology. Transparency is often associated with high-tech materials, and this watch utilizes transparent sapphire to emphasize the manufacturer's state-of-the-art movement technology. Skull-shaped decorations are attached to the movement module, made of zinc-plated brass coated thinly by deposition techniques. The semi-transparent silicone strap, blue decorations, and transparent body harmonize, providing us with much inspiration.

ⓒPanasonic

Panasonic's new shaver 'Palm Shaver' uses sustainable material NAGORI® made from marine minerals to achieve a unique stone-like texture. NAGORI® is a sustainable plastic made from minerals extracted from the sea. It has a texture similar to ceramic, offering high workability and design freedom. Despite being a high-tech product with short charging time and long usage time, Panasonic pursues a design that harmonizes with nature rather than flashy CMFs, showcasing their reversal and creativity.

hïda's CMF Selection