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Color Index: Over 1100 Color Combinations, CMYK and RGB Formulas, for Print and Web Media
The best-selling author of Idea Index and Layout Index returns with an all-new title! Color Index provides more than one thousand color combinations and formulas-- guaranteed to help graphic artists solve design dilemmas and create effective images for both print and the Web. From progressive colors to natural tones, Color Index makes choosing hues for any job easier! Designers will start working with color in exciting new ways and create original, eye-catching designs that pop off the page. It's all the inspiration they need to explore and experiment with color as never before! Just like the other clever little design books in this series, Color Index is portable, packed with inspiration, and neatly packaged in a colorful, sturdy vinyl jacket.
360 pages, Vinyl
First published April 12, 2002
10 people are currently reading
426 people want to read
About the author
Jim Krause
51 books24 followersJim Krause has worked as a designer in the Pacific Northwest since the 1980s. He has produced award-winning work for clients large and small, including Microsoft, McDonald's, Kodak, Cingular Wireless, Washington Apples, Levi Strauss, Paccar/Kenworth, and Seattle Public Schools. Jim Krause has written over 15 books on design, creativity, and digital photography. His books are widely popular and are on sale around the world. Several have been translated into multiple languages.
Krause's latest books are Color Index XL, Lessons in Typography, Visual Design and Color For Designers.
When Jim isn't working on books, he can usually be found riding or racing either a motorcycle or a bicycle, hiking, reading, roasting coffee beans in his back yard, drinking espresso, or doing an art project of some kind or another.
Krause's latest books are Color Index XL, Lessons in Typography, Visual Design and Color For Designers.
When Jim isn't working on books, he can usually be found riding or racing either a motorcycle or a bicycle, hiking, reading, roasting coffee beans in his back yard, drinking espresso, or doing an art project of some kind or another.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
June 20, 2020
No longer using this website, but I'm leaving up old reviews. Fuck Jeff Bezos. Find me on LibraryThing: https://www.librarything.com/profile/...
This is my most borrowed book. By that I mean, my housemate Vallan comes and snatches it from my room on almost a weekly basis. But he does so because this book is genuinely awesome!
Rather than explain theory or even explain anything, this book is a series of color palettes that work. That can be frustrating. It's not a knowledge building book. It's a working book.
In the middle of a piece I'm working on, I pick up this book, flip to the sort of tone that I'm looking for (Active! Rich! Muted!). Then I find a color that I like on the outside margin, and find that color in a palette of two to four colors, and BAM! my piece is made all that much better with a sophisticated palette.
One day, I'll learn color theory and be able to know and see why certain colors work with others. Until then, it's almost silly to put this book back on my shelf. It's no more than a couple of days before I (or Vallan) pulls it back out again.
This is my most borrowed book. By that I mean, my housemate Vallan comes and snatches it from my room on almost a weekly basis. But he does so because this book is genuinely awesome!
Rather than explain theory or even explain anything, this book is a series of color palettes that work. That can be frustrating. It's not a knowledge building book. It's a working book.
In the middle of a piece I'm working on, I pick up this book, flip to the sort of tone that I'm looking for (Active! Rich! Muted!). Then I find a color that I like on the outside margin, and find that color in a palette of two to four colors, and BAM! my piece is made all that much better with a sophisticated palette.
One day, I'll learn color theory and be able to know and see why certain colors work with others. Until then, it's almost silly to put this book back on my shelf. It's no more than a couple of days before I (or Vallan) pulls it back out again.
April 9, 2007
When I'm brainstorming or low on inspiration, I love to have my "index" books handy.
The color index is handy when I have a color or two that I'd like to use on a project, but I'm not sure quite what to put with them. This way, I can see combinations and colors I probably wouldn't have though about right off the bat.
It's also great when I'm working with a client who doesn't know what s/he wants. They can flip through the book and select colors the like without having to take up my valuable time.
The color index is handy when I have a color or two that I'd like to use on a project, but I'm not sure quite what to put with them. This way, I can see combinations and colors I probably wouldn't have though about right off the bat.
It's also great when I'm working with a client who doesn't know what s/he wants. They can flip through the book and select colors the like without having to take up my valuable time.
December 14, 2025
An excellent reference book for both print and digital media.
Sometimes, finding the right colour combinations on a project, whether for a brand, a product, or simply a craft project, can be challenging. I found this book very helpful in enhancing my understanding of colour balance, contrast, and how to combine these factors to create appealling outcomes for my projects.
Sometimes, finding the right colour combinations on a project, whether for a brand, a product, or simply a craft project, can be challenging. I found this book very helpful in enhancing my understanding of colour balance, contrast, and how to combine these factors to create appealling outcomes for my projects.
July 7, 2017
This is a reference book, rather than something you read. It contains a huge number of colour combinations which you can use to choose colour palettes from. Many of which I wouldn't have dreamed of in a million years.
September 14, 2018
This is one of my all time favorite design books. I'm a graphic designer and love this at-a-glance style reference! I've been using this book since 2002 and have no intentions of ever letting it go.
Want to read
September 2, 2021This book really helps me for my project and graphics designs
December 11, 2012
My main issue with this book is that it wasn't what I was looking for: color swatches with hex (or RGB) codes that I could use to gauge screen to print variations.
It has hex and RGB codes although the majority of colors are given only in CMYK and RGB values, but the swatches are so small, it's not the sort of reference I'd find useful.
The book is a bit wider than a mass market paperback. The swatches are presented in ~3/4" squares, but each swatch contains 2-4 colors.
The book has some simple information on color theory and focuses on combinations of colors. For what it's worth, I like the Quiet Cool Hues best.
Color Index would be more useful to someone looking to see how various color combinations look together. Each mini-square palette is presented 3 ways: bars, pattern, design; so you can get a sense of their interplay.
It has hex and RGB codes although the majority of colors are given only in CMYK and RGB values, but the swatches are so small, it's not the sort of reference I'd find useful.
The book is a bit wider than a mass market paperback. The swatches are presented in ~3/4" squares, but each swatch contains 2-4 colors.
The book has some simple information on color theory and focuses on combinations of colors. For what it's worth, I like the Quiet Cool Hues best.
Color Index would be more useful to someone looking to see how various color combinations look together. Each mini-square palette is presented 3 ways: bars, pattern, design; so you can get a sense of their interplay.
February 27, 2008
More/less a compendium of "best practice" style color palettes. If you're an inexperienced or novice graphic designer or have had graphic design thrust upon you ("But I'm a developer!") then this is a great book to keep handy; if you're a little more experienced, it's still a good one to keep around for quick ideas ("...and the mock-up is due tomorrow morning 10am sharp!") or to loan out to your apprentices.
What makes it particularly useful is that it's well-organized and clusters the sample color palettes based on themes. Plus, there is quick access to the RGB and CMYK values all the way through.
4 stars if you're new to graphic design; 3 if you've been at it for a while.
What makes it particularly useful is that it's well-organized and clusters the sample color palettes based on themes. Plus, there is quick access to the RGB and CMYK values all the way through.
4 stars if you're new to graphic design; 3 if you've been at it for a while.
July 24, 2007
I like that this book doesn't do a lot of explaining, it just shows you the color combinations and lets you do the choosing. I found it very well organized and intuitive to use. I have very little art training, but sometimes have to be artistic, and this book has helped me out.
November 9, 2008
Practical and useful resource accompanied by other Jim Krause. Useful for print and design professionals - industry standard. Suggest reading Design Basics Index and other books in The Complete Index collection.
February 26, 2009
Love the book. Love the size and the format. Lets me explore different color combinations that I wouldn't normally think of. I'm a book kind of gal that likes to hold it in my hand, pop it in my bag and peek at it to inspire some design sketching.
January 13, 2016
A great little resource book on color combinations. I spent an entire evening flipping through the book! Love how it is organized in chapters focusing on different color groupings, showing color combinations from each of these groups. Already using it for color ideas!
June 29, 2007
I used to carry this everywhere. I'm a nerd - I love color and design. Sometimes its just plain fun to look at!
September 23, 2007
Indispensible reference book to help me visualize color combinations for interior design and graphic design.
April 22, 2008
Buku yang bagus..berguna banget..
Sebenernya berguna buat orang yang membutuhkannya sih.. hehee..
Sebenernya berguna buat orang yang membutuhkannya sih.. hehee..
September 7, 2009
Brilliant reference book for finding great colour combinations!
September 7, 2009
A brilliant follow up to the first book - a great set of colour combinations for all uses and purposes - I find these books to be extremely helpful.
March 16, 2010
Great color combos that I haven't thought of before. CMYK & RGB included to easily use with PS or InDesign. Great reference book. A keeper.
Read
April 27, 2010I use this almost everyday at my job... CRUCIAL!
February 23, 2013
Looks like a neat book for artists and such. I happened to pick it up because it was there, and it helped me learn more about the world. And it helped me get closer to my reading goal. =~)
February 12, 2014
Berisi banyak perpaduan warna untuk mengungkapkan kesan-kesan tertentu.
Sangat direkomendasikan bagi para desainer.
Sangat direkomendasikan bagi para desainer.
Read
August 10, 2014What a twist ending!
August 29, 2016
Helpful.
December 18, 2016
reference-book on color schemes. Awesome!
January 10, 2017
Excelente contribuição para harmonia de cores. um indice para consulta.
March 9, 2008
Great reference book!
October 15, 2008
For those who don't know how to read...
April 12, 2012
Good. Wish it was more comprehensive though.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews