Research Guides: Design: Color Theory

Journals

Color Research and Application
OSU has electronic access to this journal going back to 1976 (with gaps). It deals with new ideas in color theory and methods.

Books

Pantone by Leatrice Eiseman; Keith Recker
Call Number: QC494.2 .E36 1990 (Fine Arts Library Stacks)
ISBN: 9780811877565
Color Codes by Charles A. Riley
Call Number: NX650.C676 R56 1995eb
ISBN: 0874517427
Interaction of Color by Josef Albers; Nicholas Fox Weber (Foreword by)
Call Number: ND1489 .A4 2009 (Fine Arts Library Oversize 2nd Floor)
ISBN: 9780300146936
The Color Star by Johannes Itten
Call Number: ND1493.I8 I88 1986 (Fine Arts Library Closed Reserve)
ISBN: 9780471289319

RESOURCES FOR COLOR THEORY

Emily Noyes Vanderpoel, Color Problems. Image Source: Sacred Bones Records and The Circadian Press

Radiolab Podcast About Color

Interaction of Color App Demo

Color Wheel Video

Websites

Color Matters
Website about color and effects it has on our well being.
colorsystem
This website allows you to explore the different color theories developed throughout the ages, with illustrations to accompany.
The Dimensions of Color
This website looks at color and light perception. It was created by David Briggs and has applications for artists working in both physical and digital formats.
Munsell Color Science Laboratory
Part of the Program of Color Science at the Rochester Institute of Technology, the Munsell Color Science Laboratory offers resources related to color.
Pigments Through the Ages
This website is not super pretty, but it allows artists to explore paintings through color, historically and scientifically.

Interactive Tools

Adobe Color
This is an interactive tool by Adobe that can digitally assist you in finding coordinating color schemes.
Create a Color Palette
This is a list of four apps that will allow you to create a color palette using a personal photo.
Interaction of Color App
This is NOT a free app, but it is an interactive tool developed by Yale University to bring Josef Albers' Interaction of Color into the 21st century as an interactive app.

Credit

This guide was created with inspiration from other research guides on color theory made by librarians at various universities and colleges, including, but not limited to: Tufts University, Rhode Island School Institute of Design, and Drexel University. Thanks, librarians!