As designers consider color trends for the seasons ahead, fall and winter 2007/2008 emphasizes change, transformation, mutation and shift. And while there are no rules to follow in the traditional sense, designers can look for that breath of fresh air without being afraid that they've missed something. For next year, it's about creating fresh concepts and solutions by taking a fresh approach.

There has been a calming down of color over the last few seasons, and the same still holds true for winter 2007, according to Pantone Inc., a global authority on color and provider of professional color standards for the design industries. While the fashion industry has moved away from strong multi-color usage, the environments that surround us are taking an opposite approach. The search for the perfect balance between fun and escapism, along with simplicity and moderation, is always a challenge, but color is the one element that can help to provide that steadiness between the two.

Further, advancements in technology, the outsourcing of jobs to Asia, and the war in Iraq, shrink the globe and elevate the role of the individual—not only impacting the economy, but also the color of the walls in homes and offices, according to Pittsburgh Paints' artistic director Josette Buisson, whose application of social trends drove Pittsburgh Paints 2006 color trends, dubbed "The Light Years."

The attraction to a specific trend differs for each individual because, though we experience the same social events, we filter and interpret these experiences personally to create our own trends, Buisson says. Today's society celebrates individuality, and current paint trends will reflect these personal experiences as they are incorporated in new color palettes.

Trends in color incorporate the many expressions of our changing society, Buisson explains. "Trends are about ideas, and can be translated into color opportunities." For example, a desire for creativity represents a growing social movement that greatly influences this year's color palette. One result of the increase in outsourcing jobs overseas is that more than 30 percent of the workforce is now in the creative fields, according to Richard Florida, author of The Rise of the Creative Class. This results in an even greater desire for higher levels of design and colors that appeal to the senses for every product and service we purchase.

This trend is seen through the use of aesthetic color for traditionally utilitarian products like wastebaskets, and even washing machines. With discount stores such as Target bringing design to the masses, consumers can be more discriminating because they have so many choices. There is a craving for uniqueness, meaning and personal expression in interior design. "Different voices that express our reality allow for different trends," says Buisson. "We change over time with age and the world around us changes as well. The combination of the two creates new trends and determines what specific trend we fit and evolve into."

Color PalettesThe PANTONE® View Colour Planner showcases eight palettes for winter 2007/2008 for use in women's wear, menswear, active wear, industrial design, cosmetics, interiors and graphics. Each palette expresses a sense of independence from the others, but all contain elements that crossover and work in a melodious manner.

A darkened palette of color for next year is more colorful than seasons past. "Dark Shadows" emphasizes the importance of hybrid shades of sparrow and shale mixed with familiar families of green, blue and burgundy.

The look and feel of "Normalism" is an odd jumble of neutrals mixed with blurred elements of gold, brown, purple and violet.

"Natural Poetry" includes a range of colors that look as if they were extracted from nature, and convey a feeling of reticence. A perfect blend of brown, gold, olive and sesame provide a sense of real beauty for ordinary objects.

"Integrated" offers the depth and mystery of winter cocooned in layers of the familiar white, black and silver usually associated with the winter season, but now the inspiration from modern architecture makes a statement that is both intriguing and mesmerizing.

"Innocence" finds its inspiration from childlike innocence. The look and feel is an offbeat mixture of cool and warm shades that are both colorful yet unpretentious and have a flat, inviting appearance.

The importance of mid-jewel tones in "Chameleon" is seen through the eyes of a butterfly, as colors seem to float with prismatic distortion.

"Unexpected" is abstract mixed with technology, seen through an atypical fusion of multi-color levels of bright, saturated and neutral-based shades.

"Caprice" provides serious mood swings between having simple fun and going all out in an extravagant way. Bright color for winter is always the way to brighten up the doldrums of a cold, dark season.