The Mapping between Color-Material-Finish (CMF) and Style Imagery: A Case Study of Neo-Chinese Armchairs

Abstract

The mapping relationship was investigated between Color-Material-Finish (CMF) and style imagery, using Neo-Chinese armchairs as the research object. Within a Kansei Engineering (KE) framework, key style imagery features of Neo-Chinese armchairs were extracted by combining the Semantic Differential (SD) method and Principal Component Analysis (PCA), based on evaluations from a panel of design experts. Existing CMF configurations were systematically categorized and coded, with standardized digital samples generated using Rhino 3D and Keyshot software. Quantitative Theory Type I (QTTI) was then employed to establish the CMF-style imagery mapping framework. Results demonstrated that CMF significantly shapes style imagery: Different CMF combinations can shift stylistic perceptions toward “modern” or “traditional,” and modulate the intensity of “Zen-inspired” qualities—though they cannot eliminate such attributes entirely. Notably, individual CMF categories may exert contrasting effects on different imagery dimensions. This research addresses two core questions: (1) Which specific CMF components influence the style imagery of Neo-Chinese armchairs, and (2) How do these components operate mechanistically? Furthermore, qualitative CMF design strategies are proposed for Neo-Chinese furniture. The findings provide a theoretical basis for furniture designers to align CMF decisions with user cognitive expectations and a methodological reference for style mapping studies across broader design disciplines.