Gulf Blue
General Information about Gulf Blue
The hex color #030E5A, commonly known as Gulf Blue, is a very dark shade of blue, almost leaning towards indigo. It resides in the blue color family, characterized by its low saturation and brightness values. This color is often associated with depth, seriousness, and stability. In the RGB color model, #030E5A is composed of 1.2% red, 5.5% green, and 35.3% blue. This significant dominance of blue gives the color its characteristic hue. Its CMYK values are Cyan: 97%, Magenta: 81%, Yellow: 0%, Black: 65%. This color is rarely found in nature. Gulf Blue can evoke feelings of trust, loyalty, and sophistication, often making it a popular choice for corporate branding and designs that aim to convey a sense of reliability and professionalism.
The hex color #030E5A, also known as Gulf Blue, presents significant accessibility challenges. Its very dark hue results in extremely low contrast against light backgrounds, potentially making text and interface elements unreadable for users with visual impairments. According to WCAG guidelines, sufficient contrast is crucial for readability. Using #030E5A for text requires a very light color like #FFFFFF to meet minimum contrast ratios. Even then, careful testing is needed. For backgrounds, avoid pairing it with mid-tone colors. When incorporating #030E5A in designs, prioritize accessibility by conducting thorough contrast checks and providing alternative high-contrast themes or color options to ensure inclusivity for all users, including those with low vision or color blindness. The use of color contrast analysers is advisable.
Shades
Digital Color Formats
Alternative colors
- #191970
A slightly lighter blue that still provides a deep, rich color but offers improved contrast against white backgrounds.
- #2F4F4F
A dark grayish-blue that can serve as a more neutral alternative, suitable for text or background elements where subtlety is desired.
- #000080
A dark navy blue that offers a classic and sophisticated alternative with better readability.
Applications
Financial and Corporate Web Design
Gulf Blue's deep and serious tone can be leveraged in web design for financial institutions or corporate websites aiming to convey trust and stability. It can be used for navigation bars, headers, or as an accent color to highlight important information. Pairing it with lighter blues or neutral tones can create a professional and reliable aesthetic. The color evokes a sense of security and dependability, essential qualities for building user confidence in the digital space of financial and corporate sectors.
Fashion Design
In the fashion industry, Gulf Blue can be used to design elegant evening wear or sophisticated business attire. Its depth and richness make it an excellent choice for creating garments that exude confidence and style. Accessorizing with metallic accents or lighter shades of blue can enhance the overall look. Gulf Blue can be incorporated into the design of luxury handbags, shoes or jewelry. This color suits apparel for autumn or winter seasons.
Interior Design
In interior design, Gulf Blue can serve as a striking accent color in living rooms or bedrooms. It works well on accent walls, upholstery, or decorative accessories, creating a sense of depth and sophistication. When combined with warm neutrals or metallic accents, it can transform a space into a luxurious retreat. However, because it is a dark color it needs to be implemented with sufficient ambient and directed lighting. Good complementary colors are white, gold and light gray.