Ultramarine
General Information about Ultramarine
Ultramarine, represented by the hexadecimal color code #00039B, is a deep and rich shade of blue. Historically, ultramarine was derived from the precious gemstone lapis lazuli, making it one of the most expensive and highly prized pigments. The name "ultramarine" literally means "beyond the sea," referring to its origin from lands beyond the sea from Europe. In modern color theory, ultramarine is considered a primary color, essential for creating a wide range of other colors through mixing. It is known for its excellent lightfastness and color stability, making it a popular choice for artists and designers alike. Ultramarine blue is commonly used to represent depth, stability, and trust.
The color #00039B, a deep ultramarine, presents significant accessibility challenges due to its extremely low luminance. When used as text against a white background, it fails all levels of WCAG contrast ratio guidelines, making it difficult for users with visual impairments to read. Similarly, using white text on this dark blue background may not provide sufficient contrast for some users. To improve accessibility, consider using a much lighter color for text or interactive elements on this background. Alternatively, this color might be more suitable for purely decorative purposes where readability isn't critical. Careful consideration of color contrast is crucial to ensure that digital content is accessible to all users, regardless of their visual abilities. It is important to ensure sufficient contrast between foreground and background elements.
Shades
Digital Color Formats
Alternative colors
Applications
Web Design Accent
In web design, #00039B can be used sparingly as an accent color for headings or buttons to draw attention without overwhelming the user. Due to its darkness, it is best suited for backgrounds in dark mode interfaces or for creating a sense of depth in layered designs. When used in branding, it conveys sophistication and trustworthiness. For data visualization, it can represent a category distinct from others, but care should be taken to ensure sufficient contrast with other elements to maintain readability. This color evokes feelings of calmness and authority.
Fashion Design
In fashion, ultramarine can be used to create elegant and formal looks. It works well in evening wear and business attire, conveying a sense of sophistication and confidence. This color pairs well with neutral tones like gray, beige, and white, as well as metallic accents like silver and gold. Ultramarine accessories can add a pop of color to a neutral outfit, while a full ultramarine ensemble makes a bold statement. Because this color has a slimming appearance, ultramarine is often used in suits and dresses.
Interior Design
In Interior Design, this color can be used as a primary paint in any room of the house, when used in a common area like a living room, it will give off a more serious tone. It's best used when attempting to set a tone that is sophisticated and traditional. Because this color is very dark, it is important to have adequate lighting to properly illuminate the room. It is also important to accent with lighter and/or complimentary colors like yellows, and oranges to add pops of color.