Customer Reviews

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

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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.)

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.

"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.

The title is misleading. This is not a "workbook". I would call it more of an "idea" book. If you read it cover to cover, you will learn a lot about color theory and how to use colors in the right way. If you are just getting started in graphic design or are even thinking about pursuing it as a career, this is a nice book to have on your shelf. However, if you are looking for a book that instructs and allows you to check your progress, this isn't what you need.

I love rockport books, so I was excited to see their was a kindle version of this book. I uploaded a screenshot of how it's displayed on your kindle. it's disappointing for a design book. It has bad fonts, practically no layout, an lo res images of the pictures that they need to feature in the book. I guess I was expecting more of a PDF of the actual book so that I can experience the color theory that the author is trying to communicate. I normally don't give bad reviews, but I really feel like I wasted my money on this one. I'm sure the paperback version is fine. But do yourself a favor and dont get visually interesting books via kindle. Their technology isn't there yet.

Good for worldwide explaintations with colors for design,starter and expert.
Nice and clear paper quality, fine printing and coloring. Love it

This is a great book for all kinds of artists. The presentation and content brings an international view of the use of color and color psychology. It makes you think twice about your color palettes, and with great results.

A must have.

Im a self taught graphic designer and part time freelancer and this book has been very insightfull though there is still much to learn from the world of color

soy un diseñador grafico por practica, no curse la universidad; en ocasiones trabajo como freelancer y este libro es muy interesante e intuitivo, claro que hay mucho que seguir aprendiendo del mundo del color

I have had this book for a while, to look at the pictures. I chose to sit and read it this morning. On page 10, while the graphic is correct, there is an error in the description of Additive Mixing. The text reads"...red and blue light form cyan...green and blue light form magenta". It is a beautiful book, but that should have been caught in editing.