Black nd bright colours seem to be very much in there realm. I would get a list of interest no matter how small from him or parents. My teenage nephew designed his own quilt and came with me to buy fabric and selected his own. All I had to do was follow his instructions. These children are encouraged at school to make their own designs etc so he should be very old. His 6 year old brother made his design as well. He wanted squares with dinosaurs in. His drawing was close .