In a swiftly evolving technological landscape, machine learning and robotics have advanced significantly, mimicking human cognition and raising concerns about their potential to replace artists, architects and designers.

This is a story with an online art-driven aesthetic, informed by the Metaverse, gaming and AI. This blurs the line between the tangible and the virtual, and so surfaces and finishes go from glossy to hyper-matt, pieces are made from unconventional materials to look like renders, and colours appear in real life like they would on-screen.

Nothing is as it seems, perceptions are challenged.

HACK was first published in MIX Magazine issue 73, and the following material, pattern and finish directions are explored in more detail in our 2025 CMF Directions.

 

Lumière Bricoleur x TABLEAU | Lucid Side Tables in Nebula, Plankton and Sunrise | Recycled acrylic | Photo Michael Rygaard

 

Suspended Spectrums

 

The hyper-real beauty of spectrums materialises in sleek surfaces with displays of transparency and layered colour. Recycled clear acrylic is coated with striking colour gradients in the Lucid Side Tables by TABLEAU and Lumière Bricoleur.

 

Runa Klock x Moving Mountains | Blend vase in Yellow | Glassblowing | Photo © adorno.design

 

Coloured glass is fused and merged through glassblowing in the Blend vase by Runa Klock and Moving Mountains.

 

Draga & Aurel for Todd Merrill Studio | Flare collection | Lucite | Photo Federica Lissoni

 

Digital Sheen

 

Sodalime | Worb Mauve | Bent high saturated borosilicate glass, epoxy resin foot | Photo Ruud Groeneveld of Sodalime

 

With aesthetics informed by the metaverse, there is a render-like shimmer in the finishes of digitally fabricated objects. Dichroic glass attains hyper-real fluid finishes in the Worb lighting series by glass artists Sodalime.

 

Kickie Chudikova | Ether marble vase | 3D printed PLA, Carrara marble | Photo Aleko Syntelis, © adorno.design

 

Coloured gradients contour and define Kickie Chudikova’s Ether vase made from 3D printed PLA and marble.

 

Pixelate

 

Michele Rondelli for ZigZagZurich | Meadow Pixel Artist Bedding collection | 100% Premium European spun cotton sateen

 

Glitching pixels are a natural pattern direction for this story. In the Meadow Pixel bedding for ZigZagZurich, Michelle Rondelli captures ethereal and dreamy landscapes using blurred pixel prints.

 

Loewe SS 2023 | Pixelated Hoodie

 

In fashion, Loewe decontextualise the digital world with a collection of garments and accessories that feature scaled-up and simple pixel prints.

 

Andrew Kostman | Pixel Rider | XL EXTRALIGHT® | Paper lamination

 

Work with Material and Colour?

Colour Hive members can access our full forecasts including Signals, CMF Directions, Global Colours, Geographic Focus and Colour Impressions. Our 2026/27 insight is out now.

Want to know more?

Click below to find out how Colour Hive membership can work for you and download an introduction to Colour Hive membership.