They constantly surround us, and our eyes can perceive up to 10 million shades. Yet we know little about colors, how their names originated, and how much science, psychology, and research lie behind this topic.

Every professional designer knows the role color plays in design. It is the element that can irreparably damage or turn a project into a masterpiece.

Considering the enormous impact color has on everyone’s life, we want to dedicate a separate post to it because design trends evolve: color theory moves in step, requiring those who work with it to constantly update their knowledge.

Books on color, our favorites

Below are some of our favorite books on color that could greatly enhance your knowledge on the subject, on how to use them and where to use them. It doesn’t even matter if you are a design professional or an enthusiast who just wants to learn more about the topic. These books will change the way you look at color.

The secret lives of colors

A collection of fascinating anecdotes related to 75 shades. Starting with white and ending with black, Kassia St Clair explores etymologies and shares curiosities, with interesting references to science, art, history, and much more.

The anatomy of color

Color historian and expert Patrick Baty recounts the evolution of pigments and color classification systems from 1650 to 1960 and their impact on the color palettes used in interior design.

A dictionary of color combination

Based on the six-volume work of Sanzo Wada, artist, teacher, and designer, one of the most interesting figures of the Japanese avant-garde of the 1930s. The collection includes 348 unusual and free color combinations, developed thanks to his significant research on color.

Interaction of color

A masterpiece of art education, a book on colors first published in the United States. Inside, there are a series of color exercises that may seem simple at first. But as you progress through its pages, you will realize that the simplicity presented is deceptive.

“Good teaching is more about asking the right questions than giving the right answers” Josef Albers

The Color Revolution

You may not be someone who designs for fashion or the automotive industry, but that doesn’t mean you can’t want to know more about colors in the commercial field. After all, everything can influence color trends year after year. This book shows how the entire process works: from car colors to the colors used in the branding of a specific product and explains the correlation between art and commerce.

These books will help you understand how color works from different perspectives, giving you a broader opportunity to explore and experiment, especially in the projects you are working on or will work on.

You’re welcome.