International Klein Blue
About International Klein Blue
International Klein Blue, often abbreviated as IKB, is a deep shade of blue that was developed and patented by the French artist Yves Klein. Its striking visual impact comes from its heavy reliance on ultramarine pigment, which creates a pure, intense, and almost velvety matte surface. Klein sought to achieve a color that was as close as possible to pure blue, devoid of any additional qualities beyond its inherent blueness. This color is often associated with feelings of tranquility, depth, and infinity. In the world of color psychology, blue is often linked to trust, loyalty, wisdom, confidence, intelligence, faith, truth, and heaven. It is a color often used to promote feelings of peace and security. The use of IKB is not just limited to art; it finds applications in design, fashion, and branding to evoke a sense of sophistication and depth.
The hex color #0222B2, a deep shade of blue, presents some accessibility challenges, particularly regarding text contrast. When using this color as a background, it's crucial to pair it with a light text color like white (#FFFFFF) or a very pale yellow to ensure sufficient contrast for readability. Tools like WebAIM's Contrast Checker can be invaluable for verifying that the contrast ratio meets WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) standards. Avoid using dark or mid-toned text colors as they will likely fail accessibility checks, making content difficult to read for users with visual impairments. Also consider the impact on users with color blindness; ensure important information isn't conveyed solely through color. Providing alternative visual cues, such as icons or text labels, enhances accessibility for all users. Proper color choices lead to an inclusive and user-friendly design.
Shades
Digital Color Formats
Alternative colors
Applications
Web Design Accent
International Klein Blue can be used to create depth and focus in a web design. It is most often used as background color for headers or call-to-action buttons, to immediately grab the users attention. It has to be carefully used in combination with fonts and other color to support readability.
Eye Shadow Color
In the beauty industry, this color can be used for eye shadow or nail polish. It is mostly used in combination with glitter to increase attention and show off individuality. However, it can also be used for a more serious business look.
Elegant Fashion Statement
This shade of blue adds sophistication to any fashion ensemble. It can be used as highlight color or even as main color for the outfit. Used as the main color for an outfit, it increases self-confidence, loyalty and commitment to the company.