Tangaroa
General Information
The hex color code #01203F, also known as Tangaroa, is a dark, muted shade of blue. It belongs to the blue color family, specifically a deep variant that evokes feelings of depth, mystery, and tranquility. In the RGB color model, #01203F is composed of 0.4% red, 12.5% green, and 24.7% blue. In the CMYK color model, it consists of 99% cyan, 49% magenta, 0% yellow, and 75% black. This color is often associated with professionalism, trustworthiness, and stability, making it a popular choice in corporate branding and design. It is named after Tangaroa, the Māori god of the sea, reflecting its oceanic, deep-water associations.
The hex color #01203F, also known as Tangaroa, presents significant accessibility challenges, particularly in web design. Its extremely low luminance value of approximately 1.3% means that it provides very little contrast when paired with lighter colors. According to WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines), sufficient contrast is essential for users with visual impairments to perceive text and other important elements on a screen. To ensure accessibility, text or interactive elements using #01203F as a background color must be paired with extremely light foreground colors, ideally pure white (#FFFFFF). Even then, careful testing is necessary to verify compliance with WCAG AA or AAA contrast ratios. Using contrast checker tools is highly recommended. Designers should also consider offering alternative color themes or providing user controls to adjust the color scheme, further enhancing accessibility for all users.
Shades
Digital Color Formats
Alternative colors
- #0a3459
A slightly lighter shade of blue can offer improved contrast while maintaining a similar aesthetic.
- #333333
A dark grey can provide a neutral background with better readability when paired with lighter text.
- #000080
Use a navy blue instead of pure black to soften the contrast, particularly with white text. Navy can also provide more visual interest.
Applications
User Interface Design
In user interface (UI) design, #01203F can be used sparingly for subtle accents or as a background for inverted color schemes where lighter text is displayed. It might be suitable for dark mode interfaces in control panels or data visualization dashboards where a deep, immersive background is desired. However, it is crucial to rigorously test the contrast ratios of all text and interactive elements against this background to meet accessibility standards. Employing this color for large blocks of text or essential UI components should be avoided unless sufficient contrast can be guaranteed.
Data Visualization
In the realm of data visualization, #01203F can serve as an effective background color for charts and graphs that utilize brighter, contrasting colors to represent data points. The dark backdrop allows the data to stand out, enhancing visual clarity. When designing infographics, #01203F can define specific sections or panels to create visual hierarchy. Ensure that labels and annotations are clearly legible by using sufficiently light and contrasting colors, like white or a pale yellow. Consider the overall narrative and strive for a balance between aesthetics and data comprehension.
Interior Design and Fashion
In interior design, Tangaroa can be used as an accent color in furniture, walls, or decor to invoke a sense of depth, sophistication, and serenity. For example, a Tangaroa accent wall can serve as a dramatic backdrop to lighter-colored furniture and artwork. It also works well in bedrooms or living rooms where a calming atmosphere is desired. This color pairs well with metallic accents like gold, silver, and copper. In fashion, this color is suitable for evening wear, formal attire, or outerwear, where the depth and richness of the color can be fully appreciated.