color-trends

namespace	aiwg
name	color-trends
description	Research current color trends from Pantone, architecture, film, and design. Use when user asks about trending colors, popular palettes, or wants research-backed color inspiration.
version	1.0.0
platforms	["all"]

Color Trends Skill

Purpose

Research and report on current color trends across Pantone selections, architecture, film color grading, web/brand design, and cultural context. Provides research-backed inspiration grounded in real-world sources.

When This Skill Applies

• User asks about "trending colors" or "popular palettes"
• User wants to know the "Pantone Color of the Year"
• User asks about "colors used in recent films"
• User wants "architecture color trends"
• User needs "design trend" color research
• User asks "what colors are popular right now?"

Trigger Phrases

Natural Language	Action
"What are the trending colors right now?"	Research across all categories
"What's the Pantone Color of the Year?"	Pantone-specific research
"What colors are popular in architecture?"	Architecture trend research
"Show me film color palettes"	Film color grading research
"Current web design color trends"	Design trend research
"What colors are trending for 2025-2026?"	Year-specific trend research

Parameters

• --category <name> — Focus category: pantone, architecture, film, design, cultural, all. Default: all
• --year <YYYY> or --year <YYYY-YYYY> — Year or range. Default: current year
• --region <name> — Regional focus (optional): global, north-america, europe, asia, nordic, mediterranean

Research Process

1. Pantone Research

Search for:

• Pantone Color of the Year (current and recent 3 years)
• Pantone seasonal trend reports (Fashion, Home + Interiors)
• Pantone color palettes by season

Sources to query:

• Pantone official announcements
• Design press coverage of Pantone selections
• Industry analysis of Pantone trends

Output fields:

• Color name and code (e.g., "Peach Fuzz" Pantone 13-1023)
• Approximate HEX equivalent
• Context: why this color was selected
• How it appears in current design

2. Architecture Research

Search for:

• Contemporary architecture color palettes (last 12 months)
• Interior design color trends
• Notable building projects and their color choices
• Material color trends (concrete, wood, metal finishes)

Sources to query:

• Architectural Digest color features
• Dezeen color and material articles
• ArchDaily project color analysis
• Interior design trend reports

Output fields:

• Trending palette with HEX approximations
• Source projects or designers
• Material context (paint, tile, facade, furniture)
• Regional variations

3. Film Research

Search for:

• Notable color palettes from recent/acclaimed films
• Color grading trends in cinema
• Cinematographer color choices

Sources to query:

• Cinematography discussions and breakdowns
• StudioBinder color analysis articles
• Film color palette databases
• Award-season films with distinctive color work

Output fields:

• Film name, year, cinematographer
• Dominant palette (3-5 colors with HEX)
• Color grading style description
• Mood and narrative use of color

4. Design Trends Research

Search for:

• Current web design color trends
• Branding color trends
• UI/UX color patterns
• Print design color directions

Sources to query:

• Dribbble and Behance trend reports
• AIGA design trend articles
• Material Design and Apple HIG updates
• CSS/web design color trend articles

Output fields:

• Trending palettes with HEX values
• Usage context (web, mobile, print, branding)
• Style associations (glassmorphism, brutalism, soft UI)

5. Cultural Context Research

Search for:

• Regional color preferences
• Seasonal color associations
• Cultural color meanings (to avoid)
• Holiday and event color trends

Output fields:

• Regional palette preferences
• Cultural considerations for global audiences
• Seasonal appropriateness

Output Format

Uses templates/trend-report.md template. Summary format:

Color Trends Report — 2025-2026

PANTONE
  Color of the Year 2025: Mocha Mousse (17-1230)
  ≈ #A47764  ██████  Warm, comforting, indulgent
  Recent: Peach Fuzz (2024), Viva Magenta (2023)

ARCHITECTURE
  Trending: Warm earth tones, terracotta, sage green
  #C67B5C  ██████  Terracotta
  #9CAF88  ██████  Sage
  #DCD0C0  ██████  Warm Stone
  Notable: [Project/source reference]

FILM
  "Dune: Part Two" (2024) — Greig Fraser
  #C4A35A  ██████  Desert Gold
  #2B2118  ██████  Shadow Brown
  #8B7355  ██████  Sand
  Style: Warm desaturated, golden-hour emphasis

DESIGN
  Web/UI: Gradients returning, purple-blue dominance
  #6C63FF  ██████  Electric Indigo
  #FF6B6B  ██████  Coral Pop
  #2D2B55  ██████  Deep Purple
  Pattern: Bold gradients with dark mode priority

Sources: [list of URLs searched]

Important Notes

• All trend data comes from web search — results are as current as the search allows
• HEX values for Pantone colors are approximations (Pantone is a proprietary system)
• Film palettes are extracted from analysis, not official sources
• Always cite sources when reporting trends
• Acknowledge when information may be from a prior year vs. current