Color, Environment, & Human Response (Hardcover)

~ (Author) "Although cultural differences are evident, we know that many reactions to color are universal and cross cultural boundaries..." (more)
Key Phrases: incidental areas, polarity profile, visual ergonomics, United States, Switzerland Photo, California Photo (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Written for architects, interior designers, and color consultants, this ambitious study explores the psychological and physiological effects of color in the man-made environment. Scientific findings and industry-by-industry examples are furnished to help professionals specify colors that will create healthful environments in hospitals, schools, restaurants, and other public facilities.

From the Back Cover

Color and light in Man-Made Environments Frank H. Mahnke Rudolf H. Mahnke Color and light play key—though generally unrecognized—roles in our lives. Despite the decades of research on the subject, we are often unaware that anxiety, stress, visual disorders, and a host of other problems may actually be caused by a poorly designed environment. The gap between color research and design application has been so wide that the use, for example, of white in interiors reached epidemic proportions from the 1950s to the 1970s—though research has shown white walls to be an optic strain and a psychological hazard. Color is now experiencing a renaissance in design. To guide architects, designers, and others using color, Frank and Rudolf Mahnke—two internationally recognized color consultants—have written a concise reference guide to understanding the importance of this phenomenon in our lives and applying environmental color effectively. The text synthesizes the essential principles of color and light, including their psychophysiological effects, the characteristics of the major hues, vision and light, bioenergetics, and more. The authors also provide much useful and practical advice on using color and light in a variety of facilities:

• schools
• mental hospitals
• offices
• industry
• restaurants
• medical centers

Special attention is given to desktop computer workstations and the needs of VDT operators. In addition, detailed color specification tables are provided, in both Glidden and Munsell notation, as well as color charts showing successful color combinations. Used correctly, color and light can improve productivity at the workplace; increase the safety of industrial facilities; foster greater attention spans in students; create more appetizing food-service establishments; and bolster the spirits of hospital patients. Architects, designers, administrators, planners—anyone interested in creating beneficial, glare-free surroundings—will find all the information they need to promote physical, visual, and psychological well-being with color and light. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 234 pages
• Publisher: Wiley (March 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0471286672
• ISBN-13: 978-0471286677
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 7.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #106,186 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #5 in	Books > Arts & Photography > Architecture > Building Types & Styles > Environmental
  #16 in	Books > Arts & Photography > Architecture > Interior Design > Professional Reference
  #72 in	Books > Home & Garden > Interior Design > Professional Reference

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

43 of 44 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Book- Very Helpful, April 23, 2000

By A Customer

This is an excellent book. It's very interesting and was the first book of it's kind that I have read. I gives color and light suggestions for different environments such as schools, office spaces, etc. It gives detailed scientific information about why these colors and types of light are good to use in these environments that is easy to understand. I think this book is a must have for all interior designers who care about the effects the environment they design will have on the people that will be in it!

0 of 47 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good Enough I'm Looking for the Author, July 23, 1999

By	[e-mail] (Illinois) - See all my reviews

Help! My cousin in Brazil is trying to contact the author of this book. The letter he sent was returned to him as the address being no good. He had gotten the address out of the back of the book. Does anyone know how to contact the author?