Cobalt
General Information about Cobalt
Cobalt (#0347C7) is a deep, vivid shade of blue. It derives its name from the element cobalt, which is used to create pigments with similar hues. In the RGB color model, Cobalt is composed of 1.18% red, 27.84% green, and 78.04% blue. Its high blue value gives it its characteristic intense blue appearance. In the world of color psychology, Cobalt is often associated with feelings of trust, loyalty, wisdom, confidence, intelligence, faith, truth, and heaven. It is a cool and calming color, often used to represent stability and professionalism. Due to its vibrancy, Cobalt is suitable for designs where you want to draw attention. Cobalt is often seen in corporate branding, technology interfaces, and artistic applications where a strong and trustworthy image is desired. Its hex triplet is #0347C7.
The color #0347C7, also known as Cobalt, presents several accessibility considerations. With its deep, saturated blue hue, it's crucial to ensure sufficient contrast when pairing it with text or other UI elements. According to WCAG guidelines, a contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1 is recommended for normal text and 3:1 for large text. Lighter colors like white, pale yellow, or light gray would provide good contrast against Cobalt. Using Cobalt as a background color necessitates careful selection of foreground elements. Additionally, avoid relying solely on color to convey important information, as users with color vision deficiencies may not perceive the intended message. Providing redundant cues, such as text labels or icons, ensures inclusivity. When using Cobalt in interactive elements, like buttons or links, provide clear visual feedback upon hover or focus to enhance usability for all users, including those with visual or motor impairments. Also consider the user interface as a whole, and if the Cobalt color can be replaced with other colors without any loss of information.
Shades
Digital Color Formats
Alternative colors
- #2e5cb8
A slightly lighter blue that provides a similar aesthetic while potentially improving contrast with darker text.
- #5b86e5
A more muted blue that can be used for backgrounds or less prominent UI elements.
- #697ca6
A desaturated blue that is easier on the eyes, and can be used for extensive reading material.
Applications
Web Design Accents
Cobalt, with its strong and vibrant presence, finds excellent use in call-to-action buttons, grabbing the user's attention and encouraging interaction. Its boldness ensures visibility without being overly aggressive. It can also be used as a secondary color in branding to convey trust, stability, and professionalism, especially in tech and finance. Cobalt can act as an accent color in website designs, adding depth and visual interest to layouts. In data visualization, Cobalt stands out as a color to highlight key data points or trends, making them easily distinguishable. Furthermore, Cobalt is well-suited to headers and titles, providing a distinct visual separation from body text. When using it, ensure readability by using a lighter background, as this color can be somewhat challenging to read on its own. Using the color sparingly can also help create balance within the visual space.
Fashion and Design
Cobalt's inherent depth and richness make it a stunning choice for evening wear and formal attire. It conveys sophistication and confidence, perfect for dresses, suits, or accessories. In interior design, Cobalt works as an accent color to add a pop of drama to neutral spaces. Think throw pillows, artwork, or statement furniture. In graphic design, Cobalt can be used in logos and branding materials to communicate reliability and trustworthiness, especially for businesses in the technology or financial sectors. For cosmetics, Cobalt pigments are used in eyeshadows and eyeliners to create bold and captivating eye looks. In digital art and illustration, Cobalt can be used to create striking contrasts and dramatic lighting effects, adding depth and realism to digital paintings.
Virtual and Augmented Reality
In the realm of virtual reality and augmented reality experiences, Cobalt can be used to create futuristic and immersive environments. Its vibrant hue can add a sense of depth and intensity to the visual landscape. Cobalt can be strategically incorporated into UI elements, such as menus, buttons, and interactive displays, to enhance user engagement and provide clear visual cues. In the context of data visualization within VR/AR, Cobalt can be utilized to represent complex information in an accessible and visually appealing manner. Its distinct color profile allows for easy differentiation of data points, trends, and patterns. To effectively integrate Cobalt into VR/AR, it is crucial to optimize its color rendering to ensure a visually immersive and user-friendly experience.