Explore more than 500 colour palettes in the two-part A Dictionary of Color Combinations series

For those looking for some colour-coordination inspiration, the work of former artist, art school instructor, costume designer and fashion designer Sanzo Wada provides a vital and well-loved resource for designers and non-designers alike. A Dictionary of Color Combinations Vol. 1 is a collection of 348 colour combinations originated by Wada (1883-1967) who, during a period of increasingly avant-garde and diversified use of colour, was quick to focus on the importance of colour and laid the foundation for contemporary colour research. The concept of combining colours was not generally recognised at the time, so samplers of colour combinations were highly unusual. With a simple no-fuss layout, the book documents a collection of flat colour squares placed in over 300 side-by-side combinations. Vol. 2 brings back two more works by Wada, published between 1935 and 1938. A Dictionary Of Color Combinations Vol. 1 A Dictionary Of Color Combinations Vol. 2