Universal Principles of Color - (Rockport Universal) by Stephen Westland & Maggie Maggio (Hardcover)

About the Book

"A comprehensive, cross-disciplinary overview of color, Universal Principles of Color presents 100 core concepts and guidelines that are critical to a successful use of color. Richly illustrated and easy to navigate, it pairs clear explanations of every topic with visual examples of it applied in theory and in practice. The book is organized alphabetically so that principles can be easily and quickly referenced. For those interested in addressing a specific color challenge or application problem, the principles are also indexed by pathways based on nine topics of color study ranging from science, art and design, and industry."-- Publisher.

Book Synopsis

A comprehensive, cross-disciplinary overview of color, Universal Principles of Color presents 100 core concepts and guidelines that are critical to a successful use of color. Richly illustrated and easy to navigate, it pairs clear explanations of every topic with visual examples of it applied in theory and in practice.

The book is organized alphabetically so that principles can be easily and quickly referenced. For those interested in addressing a specific color challenge or application problem, the principles are also indexed by pathways based on nine topics of color study ranging from science, art and design, and industry. "

Each principle is presented in a two-page format:

• The left-hand page contains a succinct definition, a full description of the principle, and examples of and guidelines for its use. Side notes, which appear to the right of the text, provide elaborations and references.
• The right-hand page contains visual examples and related graphics to support a deeper understanding of the principle.

Whether in a branding campaign or a healthcare facility, a product's packaging or a software user interface, the color we see is the culmination of many concepts and practices brought together from a variety of disciplines to increase appeal, influence perception, and enhance usability.

By considering these concepts and examples, you can learn to make more informed and ultimately better color decisions. This landmark reference is the standard for designers, engineers, architects, and students who seek to broaden and improve their understanding of and expertise in color.

The titles in the Rockport Universal series offer comprehensive and authoritative information and edifying and inspiring visual examples on multidisciplinary subjects for designers, architects, engineers, students, and anyone who is interested in expanding and enriching their design knowledge.

Review Quotes

I highly recommend Universal Principles of Color. Maggio and Westland's multifaceted approach to color education has resulted in an expansive resource for artists and designers and anyone interested in understanding color. The "broad spectrum" content is enhanced with beautiful images and clear and concise text. An invaluable reference for everyone working within the color field in the 21st century.--Karen Triedman, RISD, author of Colour: The Professional's Guide: Understanding and Mastering Colour in Art and Design

This book is encyclopedic in scope! Each entry is short and can serve as an introduction to the subject of color. You will enjoy learning about everything from Chiaroscuro to Simultaneous contrast and often you are being asked to re-think stuff that you took for granted. Fun!--Nicoline Kinch, creator of Kolormondo

This book offers brief but authoritative insights and interpretations into one hundred topics related to colour theory and colour practice. The authors, both well-known colour theorists and practitioners, discuss all the terms with a fresh eye, in many cases breaking completely with the mantra of traditional colour theory.
Their approach reflects the current views of the prestigious Colour Literacy Project, endorsed by the Inter-Society Color Council and the AIC - the International Colour Association. Not only beginners but also those who are familiar with the world of colour will find something interesting when dipping into this book.--Robert Hirschler, Chair of the International Colour Association Study Group on Colour Education

About the Author

Stephen Westland is Professor of Color Science and Technology in the School of Design at the University of Leeds (UK). He was previously Head of the School of Design at Leeds (2006-2013). His research interests are color design, color vision, and color measurement and he has published over 250 peer-reviewed papers, book chapters, and books about these topics. He is a Fellow of the Society of Dyers and Colourists and was President of the Society in 2019. In 2008 he was awarded the Davies Medal from the Royal Photographic Society (London) for his color research. He has won numerous research grants from both government and industry and has recently worked with AkzoNobel, Colgate, and Unilever on color-related projects. He holds several visiting professorships, including at the University of Texas (USA) and Huazhong University of Science and Technology in Wuhan (China).Maggie Maggio is a designer, artist, and art educator who has studied, taught, and worked with color for over forty years. Her personal explorations into the science of light and pigments led to the creation of workshops for artists and designers who want to incorporate the latest research in color science into their creative practice. As a member of the Board of Directors of the US Inter-Society Color Council (ISCC) and co-chair of the International Color Association Study Group on Color Education, Maggie focuses on bridging between the art, science, and industry of color and advancing color literacy for the twenty-first century. She is the current chair of the Joint International Color Association/ISCC Color Literacy Project advocating for the integration of art and science in color education programs worldwide.