Originally published: 2012 | Last updated: 06-05-25 As I flipped through "Colourful World" again today, I found it visually satisfying and thought-provoking, prompting me to rewrite my review to give this little book the recognition it deserves.
Colorful World by Amandine Guisez Gallienne isn't another dry color theory manual or basic design reference—it's a breathtaking anthropological journey that reveals color as humanity's universal creative language.
What sets this book apart is Gallienne's revolutionary approach: instead of focusing on natural color palettes or color theory, she captures the intentional, deeply personal ways communities across the globe use color to define identity and express cultural values. Where other color books analyze color psychology and harmonies, Colorful World explores the human stories behind every chosen hue.
The book's genius lies in its organization by color families, allowing you to trace how a single shade—say, the sacred saffron of Indian temples—connects to the weathered ochre of Moroccan medinas and the vibrant yellow of Brazilian favela murals. You'll discover that the deep indigo prized by Japanese craftsmen shares an emotional resonance with the brilliant blues adorning Chefchaouen's walls in Morocco, despite being separated by continents and centuries..
Unlike clinical color guides that treat hues in isolation, Gallienne demonstrates how color becomes a living dialogue between maker and community. Her photographs reveal elderly women in Guatemala whose textile patterns encode ancestral knowledge, street artists in Berlin whose color choices challenge social boundaries, and fishermen in India whose boat colors serve as both identification and prayer.
The minimal text works strategically, offering just enough cultural context to deepen your understanding without overwhelming the visual experience. This isn't a book you analyze—it's one you absorb, allowing each image to reshape how you perceive color's emotional and cultural power..
For artists and designers looking for more than the same Western-centric color approaches, Colorful World offers an invaluable perspective on how color functions as storytelling, resistance, celebration, and identity across cultures. It's essential viewing for anyone seeking to understand color's true potential beyond mere aesthetics.
Sensational Color participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. What this means is that if you choose to make a purchase by using one of the links above, we may receive a small commission which will go towards supporting the costs of providing top quality content to you.
What Color Story Inspires You Most?
After reading about how cultures worldwide use color as a living dialogue, I'm curious about your own relationship with color. Leave a comment below and share: What's one color combination or cultural color tradition that stops you in your tracks? Are you drawn to the bold geometrics of African textiles, the subtle gradations in Japanese ceramics, or maybe the unexpected color clashes in contemporary street art?
All images credit: Kate Smith (photos taken of pages in the book)
