45 of 46 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Color Theory with Lots of Explained Examples, October 26, 2008
This review is from: Color Design Workbook: A Real World Guide to Using Color in Graphic Design (Paperback)
Length:: 0:24 Mins
This is actually more of a textbook than a workbook. But it's not a bad thing and you'll see why.
Foundation concepts for colors are explained. That's the RGB, CMYK and HSV models, color harmony and color meanings.
Chapter 4 is probably the workbook part although they don't exactly give out step by step lesson guides. Chapter 4 is on the 10 rules of colours that should be used for reference when choosing colours. There are however a few lists that describe workflows when creating a palette.
This book essentially teaches through examples and explaining the color concepts behind those examples. The explanation is very clear and that's where most of the learning is going to be. Finally, there are 16 case studies at the end of the book, with the designers talking about the use of colours in their project.
Colors is about experimentation. Every design is unique and has their own set of limitation.
A nice thing about this book is that it has lots of interesting quotes. Such as:
In order to use colour effectively it is necessary to recognize that colour deceives continually. - Josef Albers
In a physical sense, there really is no such thing as color, just light waves of different wavelengths.
Research reveals that all human beings make an unconscious judgment about a person, environment, or item within ninety seconds of initial viewing and that between 62 percent of that assessment is based on color alone. - The Institute of Color Research
This book is perfect for people who want to see examples of how people apply the color concepts to their work.
Here's the list of chapters:
1. What is Color? Apparent Color, The Properties of Color
2. Color Theory. History of Color Theory, Color Harmony
3. Color Meaning. Color Index
4. 10 Rules of Colors
4.1 Convey Information
4.2 Create Color Harmony
4.3 Attract and Hold Attention
4.4 Remember That Context is Everything
4.5 Consider That Experimentation Is Key
4.6 Know That People See Color Differently
4.7 Assist in Mnemonic Value
4.8 Think About Composition
4.9 Use Standardized Color Systems
4.10 Understand Limitations
5. Color Systems
5.1 Thinking About Color Systems
5.2 Color Systems in Art and Design History
5.3 Some Inspiration for a Sample of AdamsMorioko's Palettes
5.4 11 Color Systems
6. Color Talk. Talking About Color in Design
7. 16 Case studies
(More pictures are available on my blog. Just visit my Amazon profile for the link.)
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
Good Examples, but terrible print job... confusing at times, January 19, 2010
This review is from: Color Design Workbook: A Real World Guide to Using Color in Graphic Design (Paperback)
I am a student at the moment, majoring in Painting, and am very serious about color and learning the most I can... well.. I think that the book has great examples, talking about color theory that has been referenced in my color theory class, talking about stuff I have read in other books, basically, it is a great compilation of a lot of different approaches to color and their uses. The major problem I have, and maybe this is a little foolish, but there are colors in the book that are badly printed, particularly with the color blue. There are several examples of the color blue in the book, but it does not look like blue, at best, it is a purple with hints of blue (which is true for an additive color wheel anyways). I have looked at the book in many different lights, asked a couple different people and it is still the same.. the labeled blue, and the examples of blue, are not blue, it is a weird deep purple. If this were anything but a color guide for designers, then I would have easily given this book 5 stars, but the fact stands, a color book should not be something that has bad misprints.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
15 of 18 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
About color, but not a workbook, October 12, 2008
This review is from: Color Design Workbook: A Real World Guide to Using Color in Graphic Design (Paperback)
"Workbook" in this book's title is misleading. While the book is full of examples of interesting palettes in graphic design, there is nothing in the way of exercises or "do-on-your-own" tasks that would justify the term "workbook."
As for nitty gritty color theory, I don't know much about it, and this book did not add too much to my knowledge in that area.
Mostly, this book is a venue for design examples, some with interesting colorways or innovative use of color.
Worth picking up a cheap copy to flip through, but this book won't provide a education in color.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
