Product Designer – CMF (Color, Material & Finish Specialist)

About the RoleWe are seeking a Product Designer with strong CMF expertise to elevate the aesthetic, tactile, and sensory experience of our products. You will be responsible for translating brand identity into physical form through colors, materials, textures, finishes, and surface treatments that delight consumers and differentiate our product lineup. This role combines deep material knowledge, trend forecasting, creative exploration, and strong collaboration with industrial design, R&D, and manufacturing teams.Key Responsibilities1. CMF Strategy & DevelopmentDefine the CMF direction for current and future product lines aligned with brand identity.Create comprehensive CMF palettes, mood boards, material libraries, and seasonal/annual CMF strategies.Research and analyze global trends in colors, materials, textures, and finishes applicable to consumer products.2. Material & Finish ExpertiseSelect appropriate materials (plastics, metals, coatings, paints, textiles, special materials) based on durability, manufacturability, cost, and brand fit.Develop and evaluate surface finishes (matte, gloss, gradient, anodizing, plating, coatings, soft-touch, etc.).Work with vendors to sample, validate, and refine materials and finishes.3. Product Design CollaborationPartner with industrial designers to integrate CMF concepts seamlessly into product architecture.Provide CMF recommendations from early concept phase to final production.Ensure design feasibility by working closely with engineering, tooling, and manufacturing teams.4. Prototyping & TestingDevelop CMF mock-ups, prototypes, and color chips to demonstrate design directions.Conduct adhesion tests, durability tests, and finish quality assessments.Ensure materials and finishes meet performance, cost, and regulatory requirements.5. Manufacturing & Supplier CoordinationCollaborate with suppliers and factories to achieve intended design execution.Review production samples (golden samples, pilot runs) and provide approval or modification guidance.Troubleshoot material issues, color deviations, or surface defects during mass production.6. DocumentationCreate CMF specifications, color standards, finish documentation, and production-ready files.Maintain and update internal CMF libraries and digital databases.QualificationsBachelor’s degree in Industrial Design, Product Design, Material Science, CMF Design, or related fields.3-7 years of experience in CMF or product design for consumer electronics, hardware, lifestyle devices, or similar industries.Strong portfolio showcasing CMF work (color studies, material exploration, finish development, prototypes).Deep knowledge of manufacturing processes: injection molding, metal machining, surface treatments, coatings, printing, patterning, etc.Ability to translate brand vision into tangible design language.Skilled with design tools such as Adobe CS, KeyShot, Rhino/SolidWorks (optional), and CMF documentation tools.Experience collaborating with suppliers in China/SEA is a plus.Preferred AttributesStrong trend awareness and sensitivity to aesthetics, texture, and sensory experience.Excellent attention to detail and color accuracy.Comfortable working in fast-paced, iterative, high-growth environments.Strong communication and presentation skills.