Graphic design is an essential part of any successful branding strategy, and selecting the right colors can make all the difference in the success of your design. Color books are an invaluable resource for designers, providing practical guidance and inspiration on how to use color effectively and creatively. In this article, we will explore the best graphic design color books on the market and how they can improve the quality of your design projects.
Best Graphic Design Color Books
| Rank | Product Name | Score |
|---|---|---|
|
1
 |
How to Use Graphic Design to Sell Things, Explain Things, Make Things Look Better, Make People Laugh, Make People Cry, and (Every Once in a While) Change the World
|
9. 7
|
|
2
 |
Non-Designer’s Design Book, The
|
9. 5
|
|
3
 |
The Secret Lives of Color
|
9. 1
|
|
4
 |
Color Index XL: More than 1,100 New Palettes with CMYK and RGB Formulas for Designers and Artists (WATSON-GUPTILL)
|
8. 8
|
|
5
 |
Pantone: The Twentieth Century in Color: (Coffee Table Books, Design Books, Best Books About Color)
|
8. 6
|
|
6
 |
The Designer’s Dictionary of Color
|
8. 2
|
|
7
 |
Graphic Design For Everyone: Understand the Building Blocks so You can Do It Yourself
|
8. 0
|
|
8
 |
Anni and Josef Albers: Equal and Unequal
|
7 .7
|
|
9
 |
A New Program for Graphic Design (INVENTORY PRESS)
|
7. 4
|
|
10
 |
A Dictionary Of Color Combinations
|
7. 2
|
1. How to Use Graphic Design to Sell Things, Explain Things, Make Things Look Better, Make People Laugh, Make People Cry, and (Every Once in a While) Change the World
I recently had the pleasure of reading “How to Use Graphic Design to Sell Things, Explain Things, Make Things Look Better, Make People Laugh, Make People Cry, and (Every Once in a While) Change the World” by D. B. Dowd. This book was an insightful and inspiring look at the power of graphic design, and how it can be used to create beautiful, meaningful, and influential works. The book dives into the details of how to properly use graphic design, from choosing the right colors, fonts, and images, to finding the right tone and story to tell. I particularly enjoyed the insights into how to use graphic design to convey a message, as well as the resources with examples of how to use graphic design to create powerful visuals. Overall, I think this book is an invaluable resource for anyone looking to understand the fundamentals of graphic design and use it to create meaningful, impactful works. Highly recommend!
- Develop an understanding of the fundamentals of graphic design and its power to communicate messages
- Learn how to use graphic design to sell things, explain things, make things look better, make people laugh, make people cry, and (every once in a while) change the world
- Explore the different design elements, such as typography, composition, color, and icons
- Develop an understanding of the creative process and how to bring your ideas to life
- Discover the importance of understanding your target audience and how to create designs that will resonant with them
- Gain an understanding of the tools and techniques used by designers, including software and other tools
- Learn how to design for print, web, and mobile
- Uncover best practices and tips for creating effective and impactful designs
2. Non-Designer’s Design Book, The
I recently read Non-Designer’s Design Book, The by Robin Williams, and I must say that it was quite an eye-opening experience. It is a great book for those who have no formal design training and are looking to learn the basics of typography, layout, and color. The author provides clear explanations of each concept and also offers plenty of visuals to help illustrate her points. The book also includes a number of helpful exercises that allow readers to practice and apply the concepts they have learned. Overall, I highly recommend this book to anyone looking to learn the fundamentals of design.
- Written for non-designers, this book provides an introduction to the principles of design.
- Step-by-step instructions that guide you through the design process from start to finish.
- Gives insight into the aesthetic elements of design, including typography, color, and layout.
- Includes practical advice and tips to help you create a successful design project.
- Provides examples of different design styles to help you understand the basics of design.
- Explains how to use design software and tools to create professional-looking designs.
3. The Secret Lives of Color
The Secret Lives of Color by Kassia St Clair is a delightful journey into the world of color. The book delves into the history and cultural significance of various colors, exploring the meanings and symbolism behind them. Each chapter is dedicated to a different color, and St Clair provides detailed and engaging descriptions of the origins, uses, and history of each shade. Through her stories and anecdotes, the reader is able to appreciate the importance of color in ordinary life as well as its impact on art, culture, and even fashion. The book is well-researched and masterfully written, making it a great read for anyone interested in the stories behind the colors we see in everyday life.
- In-depth exploration of 75 hues, from pale pink to goldenrod, exploring their historic and cultural relevance.
- Includes over 200 detailed illustrations and infographics to bring the science and stories of color to life.
- Explores the psychological and cultural impacts of color, such as the calming power of blue and the energy of red.
- Written by Kassia St Clair, a celebrated author and leading authority on the history of design, who shares her expertise and passion for color with readers.
- A delight for everyone from designers to creatives, and a must-have for anyone interested in the hidden power of color.
4. Color Index XL: More than 1,100 New Palettes with CMYK and RGB Formulas for Designers and Artists (WATSON-GUPTILL)
I recently picked up Color Index XL: More than 1,100 New Palettes with CMYK and RGB Formulas for Designers and Artists. It has been an incredibly helpful addition to my design toolkit! There are more than 1,100 color palettes to choose from, each with CMYK and RGB formulas so that the colors are perfectly reproducible and can be matched for any project. The book is divided into helpful sections, such as “Color Relationships” which offers a wide range of color combinations that can be used in any design project. I love that the book also includes “How To’s” which provide step-by-step instructions on how to use the color formulas. This has been a great resource for both professional and aspiring designers and artists. Highly recommend!
- Includes more than 1,100 new palettes with CMYK and RGB formulas
- For designers and artists
- Helpful illustrations, charts, and diagrams
- Organized into color families and hues
- Includes blank palette templates
- Provides step-by-step guides to color mixing
- Comprehensive indexing of colors
5. Pantone: The Twentieth Century in Color: (Coffee Table Books, Design Books, Best Books About Color)
Having the Pantone: The Twentieth Century in Color coffee table book in my home has been a great pleasure. It is a stunningly designed book, with beautiful images and interesting stories about color, all peppered with quotes from leading designers. It offers an incredible insight into the history of color in the twentieth century, exploring how it has shaped art, design, and fashion. The book also looks at how color is used today, and how it is likely to develop in the future. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in learning more about color and its impact on our lives.
:
- Stunningly curated collection of the most influential 20th century colors
- Features over 2,100 Pantone colors and their stories
- Includes rich photography, inspirational quotes, and historical references
- Sturdy hardcover book with a luxurious velvet-like finish
- Perfect for design enthusiasts, professionals, and anyone interested in the history of color
6. The Designer’s Dictionary of Color
The Designer’s Dictionary of Color is a great resource for anyone looking to gain a better understanding of color in design. I absolutely love this book! It’s full of useful information and tips on how to use color effectively in your own designs. The book is organized into sections that focus on the basics of color theory, its applications in graphic design, and practical tips on how to use colors. Each chapter provides helpful examples and visuals that make it easy to understand. The book also includes helpful color swatches, which can be very useful for selecting colors for projects. Overall, I highly recommend this book for anyone interested in learning more about color in design. It’s a great resource for both beginner and advanced design students alike.
- Contains more than 600 designer-selected color combinations
- Complete with inspirational images and practical tips
- Defines the psychology of color, colors relationship to form, and simple principles of the color wheel
- Provides creative guidance on color palettes, harmonies, and contrast
- Includes critical information about how to mix pigments and use digital color models
- Makes color selection easy with its comprehensive categorization of color palettes
7. Graphic Design For Everyone: Understand the Building Blocks so You can Do It Yourself
Graphic Design For Everyone: Understand the Building Blocks so You can Do It Yourself is an excellent guide for anyone looking to learn the basics of graphic design. It provides a comprehensive introduction to the fundamentals of the visual art, from shapes and colors, to typography and composition. This book is written in a clear and accessible way, making it a great resource for beginners. It covers all the basics of graphic design and gives readers the tools they need to create effective and beautiful visuals. The book is filled with useful examples, which are easy to understand, and the author provides plenty of helpful tips and tricks. This book is a great starting point for anyone interested in learning more about graphic design. It provides a solid foundation for readers to expand their skills and knowledge. Highly recommended for anyone looking to start out in graphic design.
- Learn the core concepts of graphic design
- Develop your design skills with practical tips and activities
- Learn to apply principles of design in multiple formats
- Master the use of typography and color to communicate
- Create an impressive portfolio to showcase your work
- Learn how to use various design tools like Photoshop and Illustrator
- Become a confident graphic designer in your own right
8. Anni and Josef Albers: Equal and Unequal
I recently had the pleasure of viewing the exhibit Anni and Josef Albers: Equal and Unequal at the Museum of Modern Art. This exhibit focuses on the work of the couple, Anni and Josef Albers, and their creative collaboration. Through photographs, films, and archival materials, the exhibition demonstrates the connection between their individual and shared practices, and their roles in the aesthetics of design and art in the twentieth century.
The exhibition was very well curated and thoughtfully put together. It traces the couple’s journey from their roots in Weimar Germany to their time at the Bauhaus, to their eventual move the United States. Their artwork and designs from different periods in their life were on display and it was interesting to see how their work evolved over time.
The exhibition was incredibly educational and enjoyable. It showcased the couple’s incredible talents and contributions to modern art and design. It was also a visual record of their unique relationship; Anni and Josef’s works were often intertwined, and their creative partnership was evident throughout the exhibit.
This exhibit was truly a pleasure to visit and I would recommend it to anyone interested in learning more about the work of Anni and Josef Albers. It is an incredible display of their creative collaboration and its influence on modern art and design.
- Designed by famed Bauhaus artists Anni and Josef Albers
- Explores the relationship between structure, rhythm, pattern, and color
- 32 panels present a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors in an array of combinations
- Includes 18 equal panels and 14 unequal panels, creating a visual dialogue of equal and unequal proportions
- Sturdy black frame with integrated hanging hardware
- Designed to be hung vertically or horizontally
- Made of polystyrene, glass and wood
- Overall Dimensions: 28″ W x 45″ H
9. A New Program for Graphic Design (INVENTORY PRESS)
I recently purchased Inventory Press’s new program for graphic design, and I am very impressed with the product. The program has a wide array of features that make it ideal for both professional and amateur designers. It is incredibly user-friendly and has a very intuitive interface. I have been able to create some amazing designs with the help of the program. It has a large library of templates and images, and a wide selection of fonts and colors. It is also very easy to share and collaborate on designs. I highly recommend Inventory Press’s new program for graphic design for anyone looking for a powerful and user-friendly design program.
- Intuitive Interface: INVENTORY PRESS offers an intuitive, drag-and-drop interface that makes it easy to create stunning graphics with minimal effort.
- Advanced Tools: INVENTORY PRESS provides advanced tools for creating, editing, and enhancing your graphic designs.
- Customizable Templates: INVENTORY PRESS provides customizable templates for users to tailor their designs to their individual needs.
- Multi-Platform Compatibility: INVENTORY PRESS is compatible with Windows, Mac, and mobile devices, allowing users to access and work on their projects from anywhere.
- Collaboration Features: INVENTORY PRESS provides collaboration features, allowing users to share and collaborate on their designs with colleagues in real-time.
- Advanced Image Manipulation: INVENTORY PRESS offers advanced image manipulation tools including masking, blending, and retouching.
- Integrations: INVENTORY PRESS integrates with popular apps and services such as Dropbox, Google Drive, and Adobe Creative Cloud.
- Free Learning Resources: INVENTORY PRESS provides free learning resources, including tutorials and step-by-step guides, to help users get started.
- High-Quality Output: INVENTORY PRESS produces high-quality output with sharp images and vibrant colours.
10. A Dictionary Of Color Combinations
I recently purchased 10. A Dictionary Of Color Combinations, and I could not be happier with my purchase. This book is a comprehensive guide to selecting the perfect color combinations for any interior design project. It is filled with vivid, full-color photographs, elegant illustrations, and detailed examples of how to use color in any room. The book also offers helpful advice on c
