Black Russian
General Information about #02011E
The hex color code #02011E represents a very dark shade of blue-violet, often referred to as 'Black Russian'. It belongs to the family of near-black colors, characterized by minimal lightness and high chroma saturation in the blue spectrum. In the RGB color model, it is composed of 0.78% red, 0.39% green, and 11.76% blue. Its HSL values are 243 degrees for hue, 93% for saturation, and 6% for lightness. This color is often associated with feelings of sophistication, mystery, and elegance. In design, its deep, dark nature can provide a strong sense of grounding, making it suitable for backgrounds, accents, or elements where a sense of gravity is desired. It's crucial to consider contrast and accessibility when using such a dark color, pairing it with lighter shades to ensure readability and visibility.
The hex color #02011E, also known as Black Russian, presents significant accessibility challenges due to its extremely low luminance. With such a dark shade, it's crucial to ensure sufficient contrast when used for text or interactive elements. A light color should be used as a foreground when displayed on a background of this color. According to WCAG guidelines, the contrast ratio between text and background should be at least 4.5:1 for normal text and 3:1 for large text to meet AA compliance. For AAA compliance, these ratios increase to 7:1 and 4.5:1, respectively. Given the near-black nature of #02011E, achieving these ratios requires careful selection of contrasting colors. It is not advisable to use this color for important user interface elements, unless you are certain that the contrast requirements are met. Designers and developers should use contrast checking tools to verify compliance and prioritize user experience for individuals with visual impairments.
Shades
Digital Color Formats
Alternative colors
- #12112e
A slightly lighter alternative that provides a bit more visibility while maintaining a similar aesthetic.
- #333333
A muted grey that offers better readability against white backgrounds compared to the near-black #02011E.
- #201a23
A darker shade of purple that maintains a regal and elegant feel while offering better contrast than pure black in some contexts.
Applications
Dark Theme Web Design
In web design, #02011E can be utilized as a background color for dark-themed websites or applications, particularly in sectors like gaming, entertainment, or high-tech industries. It can evoke a sense of sophistication and mystery. However, it's essential to pair it with bright, contrasting text and elements to ensure readability and usability. Using this color sparingly can create a dramatic and stylish impact, drawing the user's attention to key areas of the design. For example, it can be used in website headers, footers, or as accents to highlight specific content sections. Avoid using it for large blocks of text or interactive elements without careful consideration of contrast ratios.
Fashion and Beauty
In the realm of fashion and beauty, #02011E resembles the depth of a starless night, lending itself beautifully to creating sophisticated and dramatic looks. This shade is perfect for evening wear, formal attire, or creating bold makeup statements. It can be used as a base for smoky eye looks, as a backdrop for shimmering eyeshadows, or as a sleek nail color. In fashion, consider using it for velvet dresses, tailored suits, or statement accessories to convey an aura of elegance and mystery. When coupled with metallics or vibrant colors, this color can create striking visual contrasts and enhance the overall aesthetic appeal.
Interior Design
In interior design, Black Russian can be incorporated to add a sense of luxury and depth to a space. This dark shade works well in spaces where a dramatic and intimate atmosphere is desired, such as home theaters, studies, or bedrooms. It can be used as a wall color, especially as an accent wall, or in furniture pieces like sofas or cabinets. When using such a dark color, it's important to balance it with lighter elements to prevent the room from feeling too enclosed or somber. Metallics such as gold or brass, as well as lighter colors like cream or light grey, can provide a pleasing contrast and enhance the overall ambiance of the space. Strategic lighting is also essential to highlight textures and prevent the color from appearing flat.