My best books about color:

to collect ideas or just get inspired

Jan 19, 2021

Image by Tamas Pap on Unsplash

BOOKS ABOUT COLORS I LOVE

As a fashion designer, I need to gather regularly ideas that are not or only marginally related to fashion.

The following books about colors have a special place in my bookshelf.

When I don’t want to think about trends for a while, but want to move beyond that and abandon myself to the aesthetics of colors and their interaction, I like to indulge in these books.

1.FLOWER COLOR THEORY by Darroch Putham

“THIS IS THE PANTONE BOOK OF FLOWERS:” New York Post

FLOWER COLOR THEORY is an exciting approach to discover new color combinations. It appeals not only florists. With its beauty it`s a big source of inspiration for artists, designers and every kind of color lovers.
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In this guide the floral design team Putnam & Putnam show175 fantastic arrangements of flowers with different hues and built around color schemes with concepts like monochromatic, transitional, analogues and more.
Detachable color bars for each arrangement and helpful informatuion about color theory are included.

2. PALETTE PERFECT by Lauren Wagner

Color Combinations Inspired by Fashion, Art & Style

“MY CREATIVE PROCESS BEGINS WITH PULLING COLORS

THAT I ASSOCIATE WITH A SPECIAL MOOD.” Lauren Wagner

Lauren Wagner, author of the blog Color Collective, knows how to connect colors and photographs of fashion and art in a very subtle and silent way to create a very specific mood.

The stunning moods in PALETTE PERFECT* encourage you to browse, discover something new again and again or just enjoy the colors.

Several mood boards per color atmosphere and a large selection of color palettes in CMYK and RGB , 900 in totally, in different color usages offer a lot of input. This could be of interest especially for color beginners who want to start discovering nuances and need inspiration for an extraordinary color chart.

3. THE SECRET LIVES OF COLOR by Kassia St Clair

“COLORS, THEREFORE, SHOULD BE UNDERSTOOD AS SUBJECTIVE CULTURAL CREATIONS:YOU COULD NO MORE MEANINGFULLY SECURE A PRECISE UNIVERSAL DEFINITION FOR ALL THE KNOWN SHADES THAN YOU COULD PLOT THE COORIDINATES OF A DREAM..” Kassia St Clair

In THE SECRET LIVES OF COLOR*, Kassia St Clair tells stories and anecdotes about specific color tones, relating their associations and effects within a social and historical context.

After a general part on the subject of color theory, the discovery of more and more color pigments and their significance for painting as well as their influence on language, the main part consists of color groups. To these the author has assigned certain recurring color tones, and written the story of their origin. These include tones as absinthe, electric blue, taupe and more.

Dealing with the meaning of colors in the past and today, sometimes with a smile, as well as their impact on the society of the respective era, is what defines this wonderfully designed book.

4. COLORAMA – FROM FUCHSIA TO MIDNIGHT BLUE by Crushiform

“SKY BLUE: BRIGHT BLUE SEEMS TO ADORN THE SKY ON A CLOUDLESS DAY: BUT THIS COLOR IS ACTUALLY AN OPTICAL ILLUSION: WHEN THE SUN RAY`S PIERCE THROUGH THE ATMOSPHERE, THEY ARE SENT IN ALL DIRECTIONS…..” Crushiform

COLORAMA: FROM FUCHSIA TO MIDNIGHT BLUE* presents 133 color tones with little stories about them in a playful and poetic way. The colors come from nature or from the direct environment, are inspired by technology or historical influences.

On each double page are colors with a lovely Illustration and story to find, such as bluebonnet or green with anger, blue lagoon or iceberg.

The very beautifully and high-quality created book encourages especially to discover the diversity of colors with children. Or to look at them again with the eyes of a child.

MORE INSPIRATION ABOUT COLOURS:

PANTONE COLOUR OF THE YEAR 2021

COLOUR MOOD OF THE MONTH 12/20

COLORO + WGSN KEY COLORS A/W 22/23

“COSMIC VIBES” – COLOUR MOOD OF THE MONTH 08/20

SHADES OF YELLOW: COLOUR MOOD OF THE MONTH

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