Name: Understanding color
ISBN: 9780470324646

Understanding color

"Color theory and related color issues are taught in many design schools. The issues surrounding the use of color in a digital realm are of increasing importance. Understanding Color, Fourth Edition offers simple, plain-language explanations of the scientific basis of color perception, an overview of the leading theories of color and explanations of the seeming conflicts among them, and for each concept presented, examples of how theoretical information is applied in solving common problems in color design. This book is invaluable for designers in making sound color choices"-- "Understanding Color, 4e, offers simple, plain-language explanations of the scientific basis of color perception, an overview of the leading theories of color and explanations of the seeming conflicts among them, and for each concept presented, examples of how theoretical information is applied in solving common problems in color design"

What Hacker News says

weinzierlSep 2019

> I'm on the side of color theory in terms of visual harmony.

I have this unpopular opinion that a lot of color theory in terms of visual harmony - like much of psychology - is a bunch of p-hacked pseudo-science;-)

The most telling sign for me is that the relationship between harmonic colors most often are (and have been for a very long time) defined by certain simple angles in a color wheel. While the specific angles have always been the same (like 180 degrees for contrasting colors) the underlying color wheels have changed drastically[1]. Even today the angles are most often interpreted in relation to the hue circle of the HSV (or HSL) model which takes a very simplistic approach to hue angles compared to perceptual models like CIECAM.

Fortunately not all designers fall for this quackery. I especially like the summary of the chapter about color harmony from Linda Holtzschue's book "Understanding Color: An Introduction for Designers":

> * No single factor determines color harmony. All elements of a color composition contribute to the overall effect.

> * The complementary relationship between hues is a strong basis for harmony, but it is not the only basis. Any hues used together can be made to be harmonious.

> * Even intervals between colors contribute to harmony. Even intervals are pleasing whether between colors of different hue, different value, different saturation, or any combination of these qualities.

[1] https://www.handprint.com/HP/WCL/vismixmap.html

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sgarbiDec 2012

Funny thing is that I am not a designer too! I'm a business/web developer usually focused more on the code's side rather than UX side. This is why I read: the Understanding Color: An Introduction for Designers Thinking with Type: A Primer for Designers: A Critical Guide for Designers, Writers, Editors, & Students and Illustrator CS4 for dummies

Based on your question I would go for the first 2 books: they are useful even for word processing and powerpoint slide-making

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