Cerulean
General Information about Cerulean
Cerulean, represented by the hex code #0098D6, is a vibrant and calming shade of blue, often associated with the sky and sea. It is a popular color choice in various design fields due to its versatility and aesthetic appeal. In color psychology, Cerulean is often linked to tranquility, serenity, and clarity, making it suitable for applications where a sense of peace and trustworthiness is desired. The color's cool undertones make it a refreshing and inviting hue, while its brightness ensures it remains eye-catching and memorable. Cerulean also has historical significance, with its name derived from the Latin word 'caeruleus,' meaning 'dark blue' or 'sky blue.'
The hex color #0098D6, also known as Cerulean, offers generally good accessibility, but careful consideration is required depending on the context. When used as a foreground color for text, it needs a light background to provide sufficient contrast. According to WCAG guidelines, a contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1 is recommended for normal text and 3:1 for large text. Testing the color combination with accessibility tools is crucial to ensure it meets these standards. If the contrast is insufficient, consider darkening the color or using a lighter background. For interactive elements like buttons or links, providing clear visual cues beyond color, such as underlines or borders, is helpful for users with color vision deficiencies. Ensuring proper focus indicators for keyboard navigation is also important. Therefore, while Cerulean can be visually appealing, web developers must prioritize accessibility to create an inclusive user experience.
Shades
Digital Color Formats
Alternative colors
- #0077b3
A slightly darker shade offers enhanced contrast against light backgrounds, improving readability and accessibility for users with visual impairments.
- #66c2ff
A lighter shade can be used effectively for backgrounds or accents, complementing darker text and creating a balanced visual hierarchy.
- #0077ff
A more saturated version of Cerulean that provides a vivid alternative while maintaining a similar aesthetic. It is useful in situations where emphasis is required
Applications
Financial Websites
Cerulean, with its calming and trustworthy feel, is an excellent choice for financial websites. It can be used in website design, charts, and infographics to present data and information in an easily understandable way. Using this color will create a sense of trust and stability, which can be crucial in encouraging users to make financial decisions online. The color will also help in creating an appealing look to attract users to the financial site and retain them on the site, using its cool and eye-catchy tone.
Fashion and Apparel
In the fashion industry, Cerulean can be used in clothing designs, particularly for casual wear and sportswear. Its energetic and fresh tone makes it perfect for conveying a sense of vitality and movement. The color also makes it a favorable one for branding and marketing materials, as it easily catches the eye and also gives a sense of style and sophistication. The color also works very well as an accent color, or the main color for garments that are both pleasing to the eye, and that will easily make a person look sophisticated.
User Interface Design
Cerulean is a great color for interface design, as it is easily perceived as a trustworthy and cool color. This can be used in website design, mobile apps and user dashboards to give a feeling of stability. Use it on buttons, accents and backgrounds, and combine it with complementary colors to make it look trustworthy. Using it as a UI element will give a great feeling to the user and make the overall experience a positive one, so that users will return to the application.