Ultramarine
About Ultramarine (#000498)
Ultramarine, represented by the hexadecimal color code #000498, is a deep and intense shade of blue. Historically, ultramarine was derived from the precious stone lapis lazuli, making it one of the most expensive and highly prized pigments used by Renaissance artists. Its name literally means "beyond the sea," reflecting its origin from stones imported into Europe from Asia. In modern times, ultramarine is synthetically produced, making it more accessible for various applications. The color is often associated with royalty, wisdom, and spirituality. It evokes feelings of calmness, stability, and authority. Its rich and saturated tone makes it a visually striking color that can add depth and sophistication to designs.
The color #000498, a deep ultramarine, presents several accessibility considerations for web developers. Due to its low luminance, it's crucial to ensure sufficient contrast when used with text or other interactive elements. A light text color, such as white or a very pale yellow, is highly recommended to meet WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) standards for contrast ratio. Avoid pairing this color with other dark shades, as it can make content difficult to read for users with visual impairments. Careful consideration should also be given to users with color vision deficiencies; ensure that information conveyed using this color is also available through alternative means, such as text labels or icons. Furthermore, providing options for users to adjust color schemes can enhance the accessibility of websites utilizing this deep ultramarine hue.
Shades
Digital Color Formats
Alternative colors
Applications
Website Design
Ultramarine, with its depth and richness, can be effectively used as a primary color in website designs for businesses in the technology or finance sectors. Its association with trust and stability makes it a solid choice for creating a professional and reliable image. For example, backgrounds, headers, and call-to-action buttons can be styled using this color to establish a cohesive and visually appealing brand identity. However, careful consideration must be given to the choice of contrasting colors for text and other interactive elements to ensure optimal readability and usability.
Interior Design
In interior design, ultramarine can serve as a striking accent color to bring depth and sophistication to a space. It works particularly well in rooms with neutral color palettes, such as living rooms or bedrooms, where it can be used in throw pillows, artwork, or area rugs. The deep blue hue can create a sense of calm and tranquility, while also adding a touch of luxury. Pairing it with lighter colors like white, beige, or light gray can balance the intensity of the ultramarine, resulting in a harmonious and inviting atmosphere.
Fashion
Ultramarine can be incorporated in fashion through dresses, blouses, skirts, or accessories like scarves and handbags, or statement jewelry. It pairs well with neutral colors like white, black, gray, and beige, as well as other bold colors like red, yellow, and green. Ultramarine can be used to create both casual and formal looks, and it is a popular color for evening wear. Incorporating ultramarine as eyeshadow, eyeliner or nail polish will add a pop of color to your daily fashion.