Ultramarine
General Information about Ultramarine
Ultramarine, represented by the hexadecimal color code #021196, is a deep and intense shade of blue. Historically, ultramarine was derived from the precious gemstone lapis lazuli, making it a highly valued pigment, especially during the Renaissance. Its name literally means 'beyond the sea,' as it was originally imported to Europe from mines in Asia. In the RGB color model, #021196 consists of 0.78% red, 6.67% green, and 58.82% blue. Due to its high blue component, it evokes feelings of stability, trust, and wisdom. In modern usage, ultramarine is commonly used in branding, web design, and fashion to convey a sense of sophistication and reliability. However, its darkness requires careful consideration of contrast when used in text or user interface elements to ensure accessibility.
The color #021196, a deep ultramarine, presents significant accessibility challenges, especially in text. Its extremely low lightness value means it provides insufficient contrast against light backgrounds, making it difficult for users with visual impairments to read text rendered in this color. To ensure accessibility, it's crucial to pair #021196 with very light colors, ideally white (#FFFFFF), to meet WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) contrast ratio requirements. Using a contrast checker is highly recommended. Avoid using this color for essential UI elements or small text without careful consideration of its contrast against the surrounding background. For decorative elements, the contrast requirements are less strict, but consideration should still be given to users with low vision. Alternative color choices or text enhancements, such as bolding, should be explored to improve readability and overall accessibility. Consider using this color for large graphical elements where legibility is not key.
Shades
Digital Color Formats
Alternative colors
Applications
Web Design Accent Color
Ultramarine is used as a strong accent color in user interfaces to highlight important calls to action or navigation elements. Its depth draws the eye, making it effective for buttons and links, especially when paired with a light background. However, care must be taken to ensure sufficient contrast for readability, particularly for text-based elements. Ultramarine can also be incorporated into website branding to evoke feelings of trust and sophistication, particularly in the tech and finance sectors.
High Fashion Accent
Ultramarine can serve as a bold statement in fashion, lending a sense of elegance and drama to evening wear or adding a striking touch to accessories. Its depth and intensity make it suitable for creating eye-catching patterns and color blocks. While not as versatile as more neutral shades, Ultramarine is impactful when used thoughtfully, especially in combination with complementary or contrasting colors to create a balanced and memorable aesthetic.
Interior Design Accent
In interior design, Ultramarine can be used to create a focal point in a room, such as an accent wall or a statement piece of furniture. Its rich hue can add depth and visual interest to a space, especially when combined with neutral tones to prevent it from overwhelming the overall design. Ultramarine is often incorporated into nautical-themed or modern minimalist interiors, where its boldness can be balanced with clean lines and simple forms. Use in cushions, art or rugs.