In this project, we develop broadly applicable, high dynamic range mechano-sensors capable of reporting on a wide range of deformations. The sensors take the form of spherical, photonic assemblies of colloids, combined with a mechano-sensitive chemical moiety, giving “mechano-pigments” with a novel combination of mechanoresponsivities that are readily dispersed in different polymeric matrices. This approach is inspired by squid skin, which uses different responsive structures to modulate its appearance, including pigment-containing chromatophores, which absorb light of certain wavelengths and structural colour organs, iridophores, which reflect light of certain wavelengths by constructive or destructive interference. By marrying two different mechano-sensing principles, the innovative design will open the way to a new class of mechano-sensors, capable of reporting on forces at both the microscopic and molecular lengthscales, which will be used to shed light on strain and stress localisation in a wide range of polymeric materials, from paint films to high performance composites.