One-Color Graphics: The Power of Contrast

Not only is one-color design timeless, classic and visually powerful, it is also far less expensive to print than four-color design. Yet its simplicity is deceiving -- it takes real artistry and skill to effectively leverage the power of contrast.

One-Color Graphics provides a stunning gallery of inspirational one-color and black-and-white designs created by professional artists around the world. From somber and elegant to edgy and bold, these masterpieces of contrast showcase the full range of moods the artist can create by working imaginatively with a basic yet potent color scheme.

Including projects such as posters, invitations, promotional materials, logos, letterheads, and more, this beautiful book will help graphic designers of all levels harness the magic and simplicity of one color -- without breaking a client's budget.

One-Color Graphics is the first book published on this topic in over five years and distinctive in its focus of all one-color work.

The book demonstrates through its selected works, as well as the book’s presentation itself, that one-color design can be ambitious, provocative, edgy and beautiful. The Chen Design staff judged over 1,000 international submissions and included work from Brazil to Croatia, Germany to Singapore. The work of Bløk Design, Cahan & Associates, Elixir Design, Jennifer Sterling Design, and Sagmeister, Inc. is showcased, among others.

Each selected piece was chosen because of its ingenuity, professionalism, and ability to demonstrate the power of design—with the central criterion of having used only one color on press. Non-ink processes such as emboss, foil, die-cuts, and varnishes were acceptable, as were off-press ink techniques such as rubber stamping and laser printing.

The end of the book includes a brief collection of one-color works by Chen Design Associates.

Chen Design Associates, San Francisco, was established in 1991 by principal and creative director Joshua Chen. From a one-man basement bedroom operation, CDA has grown into a multi-disciplinary group that provides strategic vision and creative content for clients in arts and entertainment, education, health care, non-profit, publishing, retail, and technology sectors.

The firm creates work that is conceptually driven, solidly written, passionately designed, and uniquely photographed and illustrated. CDA's body of work includes branding and identity, annual reports, packaging, print collateral, and web sites.

The studio at CDA is a place for collaboration, education, and invention. Longevity is a key value that extends to CDA's relationship with clients and vendors alike. Practicing a philosophy of responsiveness and relevancy, CDA fosters a creative process that engenders mutual respect and understanding while exceeding business objectives and pushing creative standards.

CDA is regularly recognized with national and regional awards for design excellence. This is the first book they've authored and designed for Rockport Publishers.