Hankook recently launched its new "CMF Lab", a lab which is dedicated to the research and application of latest design trends relating to color, material and finish (CMF). The database focused CMF Lab is a product of Model Solution, a subsidiary of the Hankook Technology Group.
Model Solution, which also supports Hankook's tyre manufacturing with creative future-oriented concepts will utilise the CMF Lab to work in tandem with the British design studio, Chris Lefteri Design.
One of the first joint projects between Hankook and Model Solution is the development of a tyre prototype that adapts its shape according to the road conditions. The research carried out by Model Solution enables the tyre to maintain a perfect balance during the transformation.
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The CMF LAB, located at the headquarters of Model Solution, is a space that introduces trends in society and industry across three key elements of design: color, material and finish. The lab has been built to provide inspiration for product development with Model Solution’s unique and leading insight and interpretation.
The CMF LAB consists of six different sections, including ‘Mega Trend,’ ‘Model Solution Insight,’ ‘Generals CMF and Unique CMF,’ ‘Color District,’ and ‘Discovery’. Hankook sees the lab as a perfect opportunity to bolster its R&D as well as utilize the CMF LAB as a strategic stepping stone for new business expansion.
In addition to the opening of CMF LAB, the company will work with world-renowned British design studio ‘Chris Lefteri Design’ to produce a ‘CMF Package Box’ featuring colors, materials and finishes of the latest trend.
The CMF Package Box will showcase the two companies' expertise across a wide range of design processes, ranging from predicting future design trends, to choosing colors, materials and finishes, to making packages for different industries out there. The findings will eventually be used to present insight and inspiration for future trends to designers and companies.
Chris Lefteri Design is a material expert design studio run by the renowned material designer Chris Lefteri, supporting designers who are considering colors, materials and finishes at the center of the design process and using materials creatively. The studio provides material consulting services to the world's leading multinational companies, including automobile industry giants like BMW, Hyundai and Volkswagen.
Hankook Technology Group acquired Model Solution in May 2018 to expand the group's business model and has set out to strengthen its competitiveness as an innovative company to secure the group's inorganic growth and future growth engines. The opening of the CMF Lab is part of Model Solution’s expansion in both product development and mass production, as it grows into a total solution company through its cutting-edge technology and one-stop solution platform to play a key role in securing future growth engines.
Source: Tire technology international
