Pacific Blue
General Information about Pacific Blue
The hexadecimal color #008FCA, also known as Pacific Blue, is a vibrant and refreshing shade of blue. It's composed of 0% red, 56.1% green, and 79.2% blue. In the RGB color model, it represents a strong emphasis on the blue and green components, resulting in a cool and calming hue. Pacific Blue is often associated with the ocean, sky, and tranquility. In color psychology, blue is known to evoke feelings of peace, stability, and trust, making it a popular choice for branding and design. The color’s brightness and clarity make it suitable for a wide range of applications, from web design and graphic arts to interior design and fashion. Its CMYK values are 100, 0, 31, 21.
The hex color #008FCA, also known as Pacific Blue, presents moderate accessibility challenges. Its contrast ratio with pure white (#FFFFFF) is approximately 4.5:1, which meets the minimum WCAG AA standard for normal text but falls short for larger text (18pt or 14pt bold) where a 3:1 contrast ratio is required or AA and AAA requires respectively 4.5:1 and 7:1 against normal text. When used against black (#000000), the contrast ratio improves significantly, exceeding the WCAG AAA standard. Therefore, to ensure optimal accessibility, it's recommended to pair #008FCA with darker background colors. Additionally, consider providing alternative text descriptions for any visual elements using this color to aid users with visual impairments. Testing color combinations with accessibility tools is crucial to validate compliance with WCAG guidelines and provide an inclusive user experience.
Shades
Digital Color Formats
Alternative colors
- #0077b3
A slightly darker shade of blue offers improved contrast against white backgrounds, enhancing readability and accessibility.
- #33a1cc
A lighter shade provides a softer, more subtle feel while still retaining the essence of the Pacific Blue hue.
- #0070c0
A more saturated version can be used when the current color needs to stand out and capture the user's attention
Applications
Web Design
In web design, Pacific Blue is an excellent choice for call-to-action buttons and interactive elements. Its brightness draws the user's eye and encourages engagement. Furthermore, it can be used as an accent color to highlight important sections of a website, creating a visually appealing and user-friendly experience. The color is commonly used in navigation bars and menu items, giving the interface a modern, clean feel. Using it in combination with light grays and whites creates a professional and trustworthy appearance, making it suitable for corporate websites and online stores.
Interior Design
In interior design, Pacific Blue can be used to create a serene and calming atmosphere. It works well in bedrooms and bathrooms, promoting relaxation and tranquility. The color can be incorporated through wall paint, furniture upholstery, and decorative accessories. For example, Pacific Blue throw pillows on a neutral-colored sofa can add a pop of color and visual interest to a living room. Moreover, pairing Pacific Blue with natural wood tones and soft textures can create a cozy and inviting space, perfect for unwinding after a long day. Combining it with white walls in a bathroom gives it a fresh and clean feeling.
Fashion
When it comes to fashion, Pacific Blue offers a versatile option for creating stylish and eye-catching outfits. It can be used for dresses, shirts, skirts, and accessories. A Pacific Blue dress can be paired with nude heels for a sophisticated and elegant look, or it can be dressed down with sandals for a casual daytime ensemble. The color also works well as an accent in accessories such as scarves, handbags, and jewelry. Pairing Pacific Blue with neutral colors like beige, gray, and white creates a balanced and harmonious outfit, making it suitable for both professional and social occasions. It can also be combined with bolder colors like coral or yellow for a more vibrant and playful look.