Color Design Workbook: A Real World Guide to Using Color in Graphic Design

by Terry Lee Stone, Sean Adams, Noreen Morioka

Now in Paperback!Since color is such a important part of graphic design, designers need the most up to date as well as the most fundamental, information on the subject to have the tools needed to use color effectively. From the meanings behind colors to working with color in presentations, this book provides readers with the vital information needed to apply color creatively and effectively to their design work. Readers also receive guidance on talking with clients about color and selling color ideas. The science behind color theory is also explained in easily understood language, and case studies are included to show the effects some color choices had on both their clients and consumers.

Genres: Design, Art, Nonfiction, Art Design, Reference, Collections, Business

240 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2006

Reviews

[Diz · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book introduces the use of color in graphic design through numerous examples created by prominent design firms. Color theory and several techniques for using color in graphic design are covered. Nearly the last half of the book focuses on design firms' use of color. Overall, it's a very colorful and attractive book, and if you haven't studied design before, you'll learn a lot about color. If you have studied design, there won't be much new here, but it is still useful to see how others use colors in their designs. One point to be aware of is that this was published in 2006, so the colors that were trendy at the time may not be the trendy ones now. Also, the examples of web design and the advertisements for cellphones are quite dated. Perhaps it's time to make a new edition of this book.

[Adam Wiggins · Rating 3 out of 5]

A reasonably good introduction to using color in graphic design for print media, and to a lesser degree computer displays and architecture.

Some notable topics and points:

- RGB (additive primary colors) as used on light-emiting devices like TVs and computer monitors, vs CMY (subtractive primary colors) as used on light-absorbing media like magazines and books

- Hue (position on the color wheel); saturation (intensity or dullness of the color); and brightness (mix with white to form tints, mix with black to form shades)

- Color theory can be used to find harmonious combinations of colors. Combinations that balance each other out add up to gray (neutral) in the brain, which "feels right"

- Color relationships:
- Complementary: a pair directly opposite on the color wheel
- Split complementary: a primary color with two others on the opposite side of the while, spaced evenly from the complement
- Double complementary: two pairs of complementary colors
- Analagous: a group of colors spaced equally on the color wheel close to each other
- Triadic: Any three colors spaced evenly around the wheel
- Monochromatic: Tints and shades of a single color

- A good color palette is typically two or three colors, and rarely more than four.

- Monochromatic color schemes use variations in tints and shades of a single hue -- elegant, but lacks contrast and possibly impact.

- "Color is always seen in context." A color looks completely different against a black background vs a white background, for example.

- Real/expected hue is called a "local color." Unexpected/abnormal hue is called an "occult color." For example, a picture of a blue apple is would be an occult representation.

- "Warm colors are often associated with strong emotion and heat, while cool colors are linked to calmness and the refreshing chill of the sky and sea."

- We mentally distinguish "figure" from "ground" in any image, even an abstract one. A small green circle in the middle of a red field would be assumed to be the figure, and the red the ground.

- "Closure, or visual grounding, is the tendency humans have to complete or unify incomplete patterns and information by bringing together the elements in their mind. Visual closure occurs when isolated elements are identified and recognized, even though a piece is missing or incomplete." For example, halftone dots in a four-color printing process (e.g. color newspapers).

- Color preferences can change with social environments. For example, in the 80s environmental awareness made nonbleached hues like beige and off-white more popular in clothing, packaging, and furniture. In the 90s, designer coffee caused coffee browns to appear in every area of design.

- The number of variations within a single color is nearly infinite. For example, blacks (anthracite, carbon, ebony, jet, licorice, obsidian, onyx) or grays (ash, chrome, mist, nickel, pewter, silver, slate, smoke, steel, stone).

The final chapter of the book is longish and essentially a bunch of PR for various design firms, but the images are worth flipping through.

[Anna Richland · Rating 4 out of 5]

The color wheel as a star design on p. 17 is something my children can replicate -- more interesting the usual circular color wheel. There's also a 12-step color wheel on p. 20 and a complex analysis of color harmony that older students or adults would use, but I think it's too difficult for my 8 & 10 yr old children (at least with the art deficit they're currently laboring under!) This book also has an excellent glossary, which saved me having to flip pages to find definitions of shade, tint, hue, etc to put in my curriculum.

In general, it's a very interesting review of color in graphic design, rather than in “art” like so many other books on color. Worth flipping through to get children thinking about color in billboards and ads, although most children won't recognize many of the things featured (many from Europe, or brochure covers for reports, etc). The Ten Rules of Color on p 33 look like an excellent discussion tool to use with my children, and I like the flags on p. 35.

PLEASE NOTE: f-profanity in a poster on p. 34, if you're going to look at the flags page with kids.

[Serge Pierro · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent resource on color theory and its use within graphic design. For beginners, it covers basic theory, and for more advanced practitioners, it presents enough material to inspire and embellish their established knowledge. One of the highlights of the book, would be the back section in which real products have their palettes broken down and analyzed. Recommended!

[R.Friend · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good addition to the "Workbook" series, and includes decent examples and case studies from Adams Morioka. Gives a bit more exposure to packaging design than I'd prefer, but overall, a book I'm happy to have.

[Bernadette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Visually beautiful. Those of us who love color and design now the thrill of getting new pantone chips...this book is that thrill all wrapped up in one beautiful package. Beautiful palettes and plenty of useful design concepts.

[Keya Arati · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book for beginners and people who want to refresh their understanding. Specially after learning it in 90s in Indian art schools.

[Roozbeh Daneshvar · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think this is a good resource if you are curious about colors and design. I learned a lot from the first half of the book. The second half might have be better for people who are professional designers, and not me.

[Meghal Sivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good

[agmi · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5

[Hellofutureboss · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book on color design. A bit pricy for the content, but still a good workbook.

[María Castejón · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good introduction to color and how to use it. It comes with some studio cases that results very helpful.

[Silviu Comarita · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad, but I was expecting more. Quite basic, as much as theory goes. You might find a nugget of wisdom here and there, and the case studies are interesting.

[N · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great guide to colour in graphic design with many real-world examples of how different designers applied colour to enhance their designs.

[Galea Marius · Rating 4 out of 5]

Learn how colors work,how it's feel and when to apply specific color in projects

[Rachel E. Meyer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'll admit, I didn't read this book in-depth. I kind of skimmed it. It goes deep into color and using it, more than I know or understand. It wasn't a bad book, it's just not a book for a beginner.