The Designer's Dictionary of Color

Book excerpt: A guide to the cultural, historical, and social meanings of twenty-seven colors, plus examples of successful usage of each as well as options for palette variations. The Designer’s Dictionary of Color provides an in-depth look at twenty-seven colors key to art and graphic design. Organized by spectrum, in color-by-color sections for easy navigation, this book documents each hue with charts showing color range and palette variations. Chapters detail each color’s creative history and cultural associations, with examples of color use that extend from the artistic to the utilitarian—whether the turquoise on a Reid Miles album cover or the avocado paint job on a 1970s Dodge station wagon. A practical and inspirational resource for designers and students alike, The Designer’s Dictionary of Color opens up the world of color for all those who seek to harness its incredible power.