Sustainability and Social Responsibility

Systematic Emotion Mapping via CMF+S (Color, Material, Finishing, Style) in Eco-Friendly Fashion Products

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Abstract

This study presents a systematic framework that maps out users’ responses to products by linking four design features—color, material, finish, and style (CMF+S)—to three levels of emotional design (visceral, behavioral, and reflective). We developed an emotion-mapping tool that converts CMF+S inputs into a sentiment lexicon and validated it with 46 adults (aged 20–49) who had purchased a sustainable product within the past year. Participants took part in one of eight focus group interviews and evaluated 14 fashion products, using a -2 to +2 valence scale. Color dominated visceral attraction but waned reflectively (r = .678). Material exhibited the strongest cross-level coherence (r = .510–.657). Finish correlated strongly between behavioral and reflective levels (r = .583). Style sustained acceptance only when paired with high-quality material (r = .121–.445). This emotion mapping approach provides designers with an early diagnostic tool to identify weak emotional connections.

Keywords: emotion mapping, CMF+S, sustainable fashion, three levels of emotional design, emotional durability, user attachment

How to Cite:

Koh, Y. A., Park, S., Kang, S., Lee, S. & Park, J., (2025) “Systematic Emotion Mapping via CMF+S (Color, Material, Finishing, Style) in Eco-Friendly Fashion Products”, International Textile and Apparel Association Annual Conference Proceedings 82(1). doi: https://doi.org/10.31274/itaa.21945