All Color Matters

Not a book for light reading, Color and Design will satisfy any design practitioner, or scholar seeking to gain a more expanded view of how humans respond to color. Editors Marilyn DeLong and Barbara have curated a selection of essays which are organized into subjects ranging from color psychology  to marketing and trend influences. Since these are essays, the reader should not expect this book to offer a cultural analysis of primary/secondary colors nor an explanation of basic color theory. What the text does offer is specific examinations on various topics that center around sociological approach of how color is assimilated within a culture, its art, folklore and consumerism. Outwardly this can seem to be a real bore. I did however find a pearl or two that can potentially be assigned as required reading for my students. For example in Part III: Markets and Trends , I found an informative essay by Alex Bitterman ( Color the World: Identifying Color Trends in Contemporary Ci...

If you are either an educator in need of color theory assignments, or an artist looking to exercise your color “muscle”, this text will fill that void. Color: A Workshop for Artists and Designers (2nd edition) by David Hornung offers an approach to color theory with projects that build understanding as you advance through the book. With assignments that are primarily geared toward painters, it is possible to adapt some of the lessons for use on the computer (with a little work). This is one of those a texts whose strength is not derived from historical, cultural, or psychological references. If your intent is to obtain a book that uses (only) practical approaches to cement color concepts—this one’s for you! *Note to the editors: Please correct the misspelling of Munsell’s name!

The 4th edition of Color Workbook by Becky Koeing, maintains it’s place on the list of good general texts for color/2D design course use. Some small updates have been made ( Computer Color chapter is now Digital Color ) but none that have significantly changed the overall direction of the material given. I hoped that this new edition would offer a more expanded and accurate explanation on color management. This topic is just as important as color theory, materials, and interaction.  Color management can present many pitfalls if not understood and applied correctly. Given the gravity of this topic, the all too brief mention lacks detail and accuracy. For example, emphasis should be given to the importance of calibrating each device in the workflow to an established “standard”. That standard is then used as the benchmark by which all devices are to be matched. This text misleads the reader by not putting this important subject in the first paragraph of the Computer Color ch...

As an expanded 2nd edition, Contemporary Color : Theory and Use continues to serve as an important foundational survey for current undergraduate curriculum. Written in an easily understood manner, Bleicher avoids the pitfalls of covering fundamental topics like a dry textbook. Fine artists will find a chapter on pigments, colorants and paints—graphic designers will be satisfied with a section on color and design. Other sections included in the book review theory, harmonies, and cultural influences. A chapter titled Color Psychology makes good use of contemporary and historical illustrations to reinforce the content. Bleicher does however fall a little short in the art history section. Even though art movements are mentioned (Impressionism to New Media in 14 pages), they are all too disappointingly brief. What Bleicher does include (missing from most texts), is a chapter titled The Future of Color . This section explores recent up-and-coming technologies presently making t...

A good well-rounded text that tackles all aspects of the leading theories of color and its associated vocabulary. Holtzschue offers many illustrated examples of how this theoretical information is applied to, when solving common problems in color design. Beyond basic color study, there are chapters that address topics such as screen display, color management, print and web medias as well as physiological responses. To help educators, a companion workbook which contains exercises for students is offered online via the publisher's website. With all of the aforementioned considered, this would have been a near-perfect text for a basic color theory class. Holtzschue's mention of art history/cultural influences is quite thin however (4 pages) and her attempt at tackling the (often overlooked) business side of color could be expanded upon as well. In general though, this book remains a valuable source for designers to consult for understanding how to make sound color choic...

Taking a more fine art approach, Color draws from past, and present art movements for aesthetic examples on basic color theory application. In depth chapters explore topics such as psychological/compositional effects, color relationships, subtractive/additive media, fine art and applied design. Where Color Workbook by Becky Koenig takes a more “hands-on” approach to color theory, Color presents the realities of color uses from a working artist's point-of-view. Other subjects mentioned include computer art, video, architecture, landscape design, sculpture, and clothing. This book does fall short in two areas; cultural influences and the omission of any suggested exercises for students to back-up the text. This normally wouldn't be an issue, however given the high retail price of $93.00, it would be difficult to justify this purchase to the budget minded student unless it can be aquired via used or heavy discount. Color (Sixth Edition) by Paul J. Zelanski, Mary Pat Fishe...

Color Workbook (3rd edition) by Becky Koeing was met with great enthusiasm on my part. The publisher describes the text as presenting “... a wide-ranging overview of color theory and design combined with student activities that reinforce color concepts through hands-on experience.” This text does deliver on providing exercises (at the conclusion of each chapter) using traditional methods (paint) and the computer. These activities give enough wiggle-room for any instructor to customize them for their own needs, while keeping the message of the preceding content reinforced. Overall I was duly please with the organization of the book's subject matter (begins with color theory and concludes with a very short chapter on art history). I was however surprised to see 2 chapters, (34 pages long) devoted to basic 2-D design concepts. This seemed a little out of place with the rest of the material. I would have much rather seen this section edited out, and replaced with a chapter on psy...

If you enjoy oil and acrylic painting, this book is for you! Written from a painter’s perspective, this text explores the technical aspects of the craft while offering an eloquent historical survey from the classic to the contemporary. This isn't a book that offers an psychology analysis or historical origins of each color. What you will find, is exercises for mixing color palettes, methods and painting practices (specific to art movements), materials, aesthetic approaches, and basic concepts in understanding how to choose color for a given purpose. Gury is able to successfully pull together the broad range of topics through his precise yet approachable writing style. One cannot help feeling inspired to paint, after paging through the many beautiful closeup examples of brushwork in this very (economically reasonable) book. Color for Painters: A Guide to Traditions and Practice by Al Gury 

A very lyrical text which you may be tempted to leave on your coffee table for others to page through. Colors: Symbols, History, Correlations gives each color (except orange) its due by reviewing color cliche's while explaining their symbolic, cultural and scientific origins. With beautiful dream-like tri-color photos, this book’s intent is definitely not directed toward the education of theory or design business practices. It is more of a linguistic survey which tries to make sense out of the many multi-cultural western traditions and their psychological influences on practical and impractical color choices through time. By unraveling common myths and anecdotes, Boccardi gives us the opportunity to understand how they have all become integrated in our daily musings. Colors: Symbols, History, Correlations By Luciana Boccardi 

A tour-de-force text that succeeds in weaving an illustrious red path through time. With an impressive mountain of scholarship, Greenfield provides little known facts that take us through the political and colonial upheavals in the West Indies and in Spain. Both locales were central to the intrigue the cultivation, importation and trade of cochineal (insect) red dye. The text also demonstrates how the color red has influenced and been integrated into fashion, culture, and mythology throughout the centuries. A few color plates are included which illustrate the progression of how the color was applied as a pigment while being used as an important compositional symbol.  A great book that balances history, science and art found within a non-fiction format. A Perfect Red By Amy Butler Greenfield

You'll be taken on an intense journey through time and around the globe by Victoria Finaly as she reveals little known information about the origins and sources of color pigments. This personal account navigates though seldom discussed topics written in a manner that demonstrates an enthusiasm and curiosity—countering any opportunity for this to be a dry account of facts about chemicals. Do not expect to sit and read this book for any length of time. The information (while fascinating) can be overwhelming. This is one of those reads to chip away at chapter-by-chapter; nor is it meant to be used (alone) as a text in a color course. Finaly takes us through her search to reveal exotic tidbits about how pigments are (and were) made. From beetle bug blood (used to create the color carmine red) to ingested mango leaves (via a cow) for the color Indian Yellow watercolor, Finaly documents her travels to find, see, and touch while noting important cultural and historical facts along the...

It would appear on first glance at this book’s title, that it is a “how-to” text for the hobbyist or textile artist on dye recipes. Some information is given on where pigments are derived from; how to use sources on where to find and create pigments for dying fabric. The real value of the book is not in the recipes but in the cultural history of the pigment sources and the meanings of color, all packaged in a beautifully designed book. Each thought-out chapter highlights a color and is illustrated with photos and fine art reproductions to reinforce the text. Not book for color theorists–but offers a good general survey of color and it's uses throughout the centuries. Written and (visually) presented to hold the reader's attention with interesting facts without overwhelming. Colors: What They Mean and How to Make Them by Anne Varichon

Published in 1963, the Interaction of Color still remains the yardstick by which all books that cover color relationships and human perception are judged. Albers was a master at fleshing-out the myriad range of optical topics we subconsciously take for granted. That being said–this book is by no means for the novice looking for basic color theory principals. The content is instead meant for any artist seeking to delve into a deeper understanding of color experimentation and their findings. Albers covers subjects such as the relativity of color light intensity, darkness gradation studies, color juxtaposition—the list goes on and on. With lessons in theory integrated into practical exercises, Albers pushes us to go beyond the obvious. Not a book that you can plough through, this is one that needs to be thoughtfully read and digested. Interaction of Color by Josef Albers

Classified as a “children's book” Chuck Murphy’s Color Surprises is a 3-D delight for all ages. This is one of those books that you might want to buy as a gift for new parents—while keeping one in reserve for yourself for that occasional young visitor! Each page has a square or tab that you open/pull to reveal something hidden relative to the color that it names. Even though the intent is to teach preschoolers their colors, I would caution any purchaser from giving this to a child (solo) under the age of 4. Like any pop-up book, care is needed when handling to ensure future hours of playtime. For children under 4, it's better to have an adult assist with tabs, etc. to prevent tearing. Colors a Pop-Up Book by Chuck Murphy Another book authored by Murphy titled Colors: Slide 'n' Seek, will hold-up better to wear by small hands. This board book gives young children the ability to slide-open a door to reveal an animal illustration associated with the named co...

Even though this book is out-of-print, it's worth hunting down. An incredible amount of information is packed inside this small (just short of 5 X 7 inches) book. Boasting 150+ pages of beautiful color photos that range in subject matter from raw materials (used for pigment making) to illustrations on historical and present-day use in art, ceramics, and textiles. The content is packed full of amply illustrated facts which begin with pigments application during prehistoric times. Delamare and Guineauare continue the journey though a time line that notes political, cultural, socioeconomic and technological influences on dyes and pigments. This is a well organized and clearly written book that provides sources of information that anyone can use to better understand the development of color application through the centuries. Color: Making and Using Dyes and Pigments by Francois Delamare, Bernanrd Guineau

Pantone's Guide to Communicating with Color , gives the reader detailed physiological information, beyond common the primary colors. Eiseman uses consumerism as a point-of-reference for historical and present cultural color influences. The rest of the book presents samples of 3 color combinations (via the Pantone color library) that are grouped into chapters that reflect emotional moods such as serene, capricious, robust, etc. The book concludes with a very brief timeline of color symbolism and trend which is followed by color conversion ink formulas based on the Pantone library. Color theory principals are not extensive but this book does provide a basic understanding of how to direct color decisions to a specific audience for motivating product purchases. Pantone's Guide to Communicating with Color by Leatrice Eismann