Renner's Theory of Color Harmony: An Illustrated Critical Reading

Now revised and expanded!

A seven-page illustrated introduction to Paul Renner's theory of color harmony, for artists, designers, and anyone interested in the history of color theory. Now includes historical context and a bibliography. Updates to layout and corrected typos.

Renner, the German designer who created the Futura typeface, described his science-based ideas about color harmony in a 1947 book, "Color Order and Harmony," which was translated to English in 1964. However, the book is now out of print, and not available online. I created this critical introduction to Renner's ideas, with all-new original illustrations, to help spread awareness of Renner's ideas, as well as the cultural context of his rejection of Wilhelm Ostwald's color theory.