Customer Reviews

Colorist: A Practical Handbook for Personal and Professional Use

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
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Color choices may not be easy but they are doable if you follow the process outlined in this book.

'Colorist' is a fascinating insight into how and why color affects us and our impressions of the world. It abounds with images from nature, architecture, art and products.

It is not a simple book to immediately apply but it offers a workable process which relies on an excellent understanding of what is required from the color scheme being prepared. By applying the book's principles it is possible to develop both appropriate color schemes and the rationale behind why these are the right color choices!

I felt that some of the language suffered from being translated from Japanese but on the whole the book is well written and follows a logical progression identifying the various elements that need to go into making successful color choices.

If color is an important element of your life, whether at home or work, this book will help you identify your color prejudices and the right color combinations for a particular project. Overall a good buy!

Two other reviewers suggested, "Might have been better in the original Japanese," and I discounted what they said. After all, it's a color book, right? Not quite. Truly, it might have been more clear in the original Japanese, which I don't read. Also, it's tiny--5x7--and the example pictures and swatches and some of the text is tiny, which together make it hard for me to enjoy this book the way I had hoped to.

The "favorite color test" in the beginning is interesting and worth the price of the book. I couldn't follow the rest. (Incidentially, I just noticed that the author's choice of illustrations for October and November colors (Central NC; would be Sept-Oct north of here) is VERY different from what we would use as "typical" colorways.

I keep replacing my existing book with another as I give the one I own away to a new neighbor or friend getting married. A great way to get to know someowne based on their color tastes. May solve your marital decorating issues!

Japan and Japanese have their own view & style in writing and this book shows what's the style & view. The author says about 'European-style-usage of color and the underlying reasons and schemes' through eyes of a famous Japanese professor, so that it's somewhat unique and interesting. However, if you can read Japanese, I think it would be better trying to buy and read the original(Japanese) version. In a word, it's scrupulous and acceptable book.