Customer Reviews

Color - Messages & Meanings: A PANTONE Color Resource

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I wasn't sure what to expect from this book having already read "Communicating with color" till the pages started falling out.
I really thought I was in for more of the same and I was right.
HOWEVER!
Leatrice, being the great color expert that she is has updated this book with newer associations and rationale behind the changes.
She could've just called it;
"The Pantone Guide to Communicating With Color Version 2"
But how boring is that?

Most people know that trends change as do ideals and views on the world around us. Because of this our affinities and associations with colors will also change. Sometimes slightly and sometimes dramatically.
Most color books dont really dive into this much, they simply give you some palettes and expect you to keep using them until your clients stop calling.
But with this new book not only does Leatrice give a bit more insight to color associative trends but she also ads a section about practical uses in media and point of sale (I know, I know... she kind of did in the last one too). She throws in some interesting little facts and tidbits as well as a few new color wheels for you to mill over.
Granted there is a lot of the same, you could almost pull a few paragraphs straight from the last book. But as I mentioned this one is just a bit more up to date.

As with the last book this is not a Pro's Guide to color association and theory.
What it is, is a fantastically comprehensive guide and reference with plenty of inspirational examples and palettes for you to paw through when you need a creative kick in the pants.

If your new to color theory and association, dont miss this book.
If your an experienced designer like myself, you probably have "Communicating with Color" and think you dont need this one...
Well you probably dont, but the updated palettes and explanations were worth it for me. Besides, she just makes good lookin books!
I love having this on my desk, it's got appeal like a Com Arts Annual or something!

My only gripe is that I really loved having all the color responses on one page, now they're written in more detail for each color but are found through out the book in their respective sections.
The addition of detail is nice but it would've been handy to have them all located in some kind of quick reference page again.

Oh and one last thing, if you didnt get "Pantone Guide to Communicating With Color", you missed a great book but this is the updated version get this... seriously, get it.

Color: Messages & Meanings: A Pantone Color Resource by Leatrice Eiseman is the second book by Leatrice Eiseman about Pantone color in my personal library. I am graphic designer, photographer and art director, and I am using this book every time. Each individual project has an emotional status and individual message. This book will help you to find the right color based on you information. It is great source for everyone who is in art, design, and photography. Every color carries the message. Leatrice Eiseman teaches us to use the language of color to improve the quality of our work and our life. The success of your design based on the right color choice is 50%. Enjoy your book.

If this is the first Pantone color usage book you buy, it will serve you well. Easy to follow and easy to reference. If you already own a Pantone color book, however, you might be disappointed since there aren't new insights. Not surprising since color meaning is consistent across time, but something to heed when making the purchase.

This book is a nice little book, but it is too much like it's predecessor, Pantone Guide to Communicating with Color by the same author. I would not have bought it had I known, I assumed (like a dummy) that it was an addition to the other book, not basically a copy with a few very minor extras and a bold new cover. I have since discovered the Pantone Guide to Communicating with Color is being discontinued and no longer being printed at this time. My feeling is that the author and publishers duped the public by not simply saying this is a (slightly) updated version. If you already own the older book, don't bother purchasing this one. If you do not already have the older book, then by all means purchase this book as it is a good one for any artist and designer working with color. Shame on Leatrice Eiseman and shame on the publisher.

As always, another helpful book from Leatrice Eiseman. I disagree with the review that says this is more for a student than a professional. As a professional, I have always found Leatrice's combinations to be inspirational and I use the book as a constant reference. You won't go wrong with this book.

I had the pleasure of attending the seminar: Future Color/Design Trends by Leatrice Eiseman. She addressed the major challenges in today's marketplace in satisfying consumers' more demanding perceived needs and desires in both styling and color. She told us color is the first thing a consumer considers when making a purchase, then shape, then words.

This book is an incredible resource for trendsetting color combinations for anyone making color choices. Whether your designing a new product for the home, a retailer buying at market, a graphic designer or an artist creating a new line of stationary, you will be inspired by this Pantone color resource.

Thank you Leatrice for providing this valuable color resource.

The author is right about one thing, we do make associations in our mind about color. People like blue because it reminds them of water or the ocean. The ocean often brings a peaceful mood so we associate blue with serenity in our heads. Physiologically speaking however, blue is the most stimulating color. It makes most parts of our bodies, especially our eyes, work harder and faster than ever. Any serenity you gain from the association with water is certainly overcome by the physiological overdrive caused by the blue light one encounters in a blue room.

But no one ever says anything about physiology and color. It's high time people paid attention. You could be making your body work a lot harder than it needs to, thanks to dear old Leatrice.

How about doing a little research, as I did, about how reflected light, or even the blue and ultraviolet from sunlight affect us? There is plenty of good research on the web. Or if you want me to send you a bibliography, drop a reply and include a way to get an e-document to you.

Grrrr.

This is an excellent resource for those who have the desire to understand how color can be used to relay powerful messages. The graphics in this book are crisp and vivid. A topic which could be daunting has been presented in a way that is easily understood and absorbed by those that currently work or wish to become more acquainted with color.

This is a newer edition of a book we've had in our graphic design studio for several years. Even after 34 years in the business, sometimes you just need a kick in the pants to come up with a great color combo, and this book gives you countless ideas sorted by feel, emotion, application, etc. I've gotten to a point where it's as important as a software manual when we get into a jam. Buy it!

Great explanations and incredible color combination ideas!!! I'm so glad to have this in my graphic design library.