An automated method and apparatus for providing color selection capability to a user, wherein a first display is generated on a display apparatus of a plurality of color families displayed in a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns. Upon selection of a particular color family, a second display is generated comprising an enlarged display of the particular selected color family and a thumbnail navigation frame displaying the plurality of color families and a link enabling return to the first display, the enlarged display including a plurality of color chips of the particular color family. A third display may further be generated in response to a selection of a particular color chip on the second display, the third display having an enlarged display of the particular color chip, the thumbnail navigation frame displaying the plurality of color families, and the link enabling return to the first display.