Midnight
General Information about Midnight (#05172F)
The hex color #05172F, also known as 'Midnight,' is a deep, dark shade of blue that evokes a sense of mystery, sophistication, and tranquility. It belongs to the family of blue colors but is characterized by its extremely low luminance value, making it appear almost black in many contexts. In the RGB color model, it is composed of 5 red, 23 green, and 47 blue components. This color is often used in designs to create a sense of depth, elegance, and calmness. Due to its dark nature, it is crucial to pair it with lighter colors to provide sufficient contrast and readability, especially in text-based applications. The color can also be considered as an almost-black color with a minor blue undertone. It is a very suitable color for different kinds of applications in various fields.
The hex color #05172F, often referred to as 'Midnight,' presents significant accessibility challenges, particularly in text-based contexts. Its very low luminance value of 1.4 makes it difficult to achieve sufficient contrast against lighter backgrounds. According to WCAG guidelines, a contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1 is recommended for standard text and 3:1 for large text to ensure readability for individuals with visual impairments. When using #05172F for text, a very light color, such as white (#FFFFFF) or a very pale yellow, is generally required to meet these contrast standards. However, even with a white background, the contrast ratio may be borderline, necessitating careful evaluation. It's crucial to use contrast checking tools to verify compliance with accessibility guidelines. For graphical elements and UI components, the contrast requirements are slightly lower (3:1), but careful consideration is still necessary. Avoid using this color for critical interactive elements without thorough testing and validation.
Shades
Digital Color Formats
Alternative colors
Applications
Website Background
In web design, #05172F can serve as a sophisticated background color for website headers or footers, lending a sense of elegance and depth. It's particularly effective when paired with contrasting typography and graphical elements. However, it is very important to ensure sufficient contrast between text elements and the background to provide a good readability and ensure a good user experience. It can also be used for creating a professional visual identity for a company or a product, if the brand identity is about luxury, elegancy, darkness and/or wealth. Avoid using it for interactive UI components without proper accessibility checks.
Interior Design Accent
In interior design, 'Midnight' (#05172F) can be used to create a cozy and intimate atmosphere in bedrooms or home theaters. This color works well on accent walls or in rooms where natural light is abundant, preventing the space from feeling too dark. Because of its calming appearance, it is suitable for spaces where relaxation is important. It is also a good base color when trying to reach a classy and elegant design. Combine this color with lighter wall colors to ensure a good contrast and a well designed space. Also consider the furniture; what colors would fit well in such a dark room?
Fashion Design
In the fashion industry, 'Midnight' (#05172F) can be used as a chic and sophisticated color for evening wear, formal attire, or accessories. It's a timeless color that can be easily paired with a variety of other colors and textures to create a stylish and elegant look. Especially darker types of clothing benefit from this hex color. Think about trousers, suits, dresses and/or skirts. The color is less useful for light colored clothing, but it is definitely possible to combine. It is also important to consider the person who will wear the clothing; does it fit to their personality?