The theory of color in its relation to art and art. It offers a historical overview, and relates birren s research into color s psychological effects. Pdf formatted versions of the library gazette articles mentioned above. Journal of the association of american medical colleges. In southern textile mills, birren reduced fatigue by giving workers light green endwalls. Faber birren was retained as a color consultant by companies such as dupont, walt disney and general electric, as well as by the united states army, coast guard and navy. Physical mixture of a color with its complementary color yields. A bibliography of the sources used in the general color theory and practice. We have new and used copies available, in 1 editions. Ittens chapter, color physics, is intentionally brief but in it he makes a statement, derived from isaac newton himself, that has the power to redeem all faults and remove all impediments to the understanding of color perception. Faber birren 11 september 1900 30 december 1988 was an american author and consultant on color and color theory. Selling with color by faber birren, 1945, mcgrawhill edition, 1st ed. How to use color effectively in architecture and decoration explained by foremost color authority of 1950s. I am convinced when i say that color has been a neglected art, faber birren, ex23, declared in 1934.
Birren presents a kaleidoscopic view of color information that has been a source of fascination. The story of color is almost the story of civilization itself. Faber birren 19001988 was an early practitioner in the color industry, establishing his own consulting firm with a specialization in color in 1934. Birren, a landscape painter, and crescentia lang birren, a pianist. Project muse light, color and environment by faber. For a more detailed discussion of this see birren s color dimensions, color equation, and the comprehensive color charts in the american colorist if the effect of color is largely psychological, and since it is influenced, as it appears in the garden, by light, shadow, climate, and humidity, it is nearly impossible to lay down rule for its use. The sight of a clear, blue sky makes us feel calm and tranquil. Albers, josef, interaction of color, new haven, yale universtiy press, 1963. The colors used in these spaces have a profound effect on the people who inhabit them, and faber birren has spent many years researching the relationship. Faber birren makes his living by prescribing color. As found more than 50 years ago by american color theorist faber birren, appropriate use of colorsas well as lightingare tools for improving visual processing and reducing stress. Chevreul with new material by faber birren available now. Birren, and skilled pianist, crescentia lang birren, faber was the youngest of three children jeanette birren quinn b. Faber birren has 20 books on goodreads with 46 ratings.
Information about the faber birren collection of books on color, part of. The american faber birren, considered the father of applied color psychology originator of the osha colors and the first to establish the profession of color consultant in 1936, proclaimed. Guidelines, based on the work of faber birren and albert munsell, are given for. The perception of color in architecture tmd studios. A survey in words and pictures and selling with color all published by university books. The harmony of dominant tints refers to the practice of diluting all the colors to be used with one dominant color which will suggest a pleasing chomatic lighting. Faber bitten pioneered in the field of functional color, using color. Color theory, artists manuals and treatises, and color techniques are also well represented. Faber birren s most popular book is the elements of color. Certain slivers of roygbivlike tiffany blue or tmobile magentahave been ed. Color circles are diagrams that graphically express the concept of.
It presents the key to understanding color in lttens color circle and color contrasts. Color in architecture more than just decoration features. He advised on topics such as product color, environmental safety, and staff morale for clients such as e. This building was chosen due to its richness in color variances. Advanced color theory color an element of art which has three properties. The hardcover of the faber birren collection of books on color. Contents foreword and evaluation by faber birren introduction color physics color agent and color effect concord of colors subjective timbre theory of color design the twelvepart color circle the seven color contrasts lightdark coldwarm complementary simultaneous saturation extension color mixing the co or sphere color harmony form and co or. Aia journal here is a major work by one of the bestknown color authorities in the world. With yellow or orange of the same chroma but use sparingly. A useful simplification and condensation of johannes lttens major work. Faber birren observed that, there is an oriental quality to the combination of yellow orange, blue green, and redviolet. The principles of light and color is the result of a remarkable collaboration between a living man and a dead one, each a genius in his own right. Books by faber birren author of color psychology and. This monumental masterwork by the renowned nineteenth century scientist and authority on color, m.
How design in the 1950s used color to influence consumers. Faber birren was born in chicago, illinois on 11 september 1900, the son of joseph p. As a book, creative color illustrates and shows whereof it speaks. However, if what the reader sees does not happen to strike his fancy, it is. The american faber birren, considered the father of psychology. Shades of meaning the university of chicago magazine. Oddly, at times he seems to mock the idea of any physical benefits of color, while promoting the emotional benefits. He attended the art institute of chicago while in high school and the university of chicago for two years where he studied color theory. The effects of color on the moods of college students sevinc kurt1 and kelechi kingsley osueke2 abstract this research aims to discover the psychological effects of colors on individuals, using the students union complex in a university campus. The renowned american color authority faber birren made relevant studies on colour. Faber birren has become the best known and most widely read color authority of our time. Art and architecture library, is now referred to as birren color theory.
There is little written documentation on his career as an industrial color. Faber birren, one of the most prominent scholars in the field of the. Additionally, there is documentation on the research projects in which birren engaged during the last twenty years of his life. He is a consultant on the use of color in industrial and other applications and has advised governments, schools and. The american faber birren, considered the father of applied color psychology originator of the osha colors and the first to establish the. The study of color is essentially a mental and psychological science, for the term color itself refers to sensation. In 1971, he established a depository and an endowment at yale university for books on color. No one could make the same claim today, eight decades on. White violet, purple and magenta these colors lie between red and blue 1.
Faber birren collection of books on color faber birren. A person wearing allblack clothes can invoke thoughts of sadness, death, and depression. Faber birren, noted authority on color, was born september 21, 1900, in chicago, illinois. In this context, the present paper aims to highlight the role that colour played in architecture over time, the transformations of the colour in meanings and functions in. The faber birren papers document the endowment and development of the birren collection at yale university. Creative color by faber birren, 1961 online research. The art of color, this book covers subjective feeling and objective color principles in detail. A factual study of the influence of color on human life. Color research and application keeps up with the latest developments in biology and psychology where light and color are involved. Publication date 1961 topics color in art, painting technique, couleur dans lart, peinture technique publisher new york, reinhold pub. Principles of the science of colour concisely stated to aid and promote their useful application in the decorative arts. Pdf color in architecture is it just an aesthetic value or a true. The effects of color on the moods sage publications. We can almost smell the sweet scent of a rose when we see a bush full of pink blooms.
He has written over one dozen books and several hundred articles for general, professional, and scientific publications. If what it has to say may seem involved and theoretical at times, what it has to show in color effect is straightforward enough. Faber birren is known to many of you as the author of color psychology and color therapy, color. The ones i am interested for my research are color psychology and color theory 1950 and color and human response 1978. The faber birren collection of books on color is particularly strong in color systems, color standards, and color nomenclature. When green felt topped billiard tables sold slowly, he increased their rate of sale by changing the color of the felt to a soft purplish tone.