Ultramarine
About Ultramarine (#0C09AB)
Ultramarine, represented by the hexadecimal color code #0C09AB, is a deep blue pigment originally derived from the precious stone lapis lazuli. Its name literally means 'beyond the sea,' as it was imported to Europe from Asia. Historically, it was one of the most expensive pigments, highly prized by Renaissance painters for its brilliance and permanence. Today, synthetic ultramarine is widely available, offering the same vibrant color at a more accessible price. It's a saturated, cool color associated with royalty, wisdom, and spirituality. In color psychology, ultramarine can evoke feelings of calmness, trust, and sophistication. It is a popular color for branding, design, and artistic applications.
The color #0C09AB, a deep ultramarine, presents accessibility challenges due to its low lightness value. When used as a background color, it necessitates very light text to ensure sufficient contrast for readability, ideally achieving a contrast ratio meeting WCAG guidelines for both normal and large text. Consider using tools to evaluate color contrast ratios. For users with visual impairments, including color blindness, the color's distinction from darker shades may be difficult. Avoid using this color as the sole indicator of important information, such as links or error messages. Providing alternative visual cues, like underlines or icons, is crucial. When paired with lighter shades of blue or purple, ensure the lightness difference is significant enough. It is recommended that you use #F0F8FF as foreground color for increased accessibility. Always test color combinations with accessibility evaluation tools.
Shades
Digital Color Formats
Alternative colors
Applications
Web Design Accent
Ultramarine (#0C09AB) can be used as an accent color in website designs, especially in headers, buttons, and interactive elements, to draw the user's attention. Due to its intensity, it's best used sparingly to prevent overwhelming the user. Combining it with neutral colors such as whites, grays, or light yellows provides a balanced and sophisticated visual experience. Additionally, it is suitable for data visualization to represent different categories of information, provided sufficient color contrast is maintained with other colors used in the visualization.
Fashion and Apparel
In fashion, ultramarine evokes a sense of luxury and elegance. It can be used in evening gowns, formal wear, or as an accent color in accessories. It pairs well with metallic tones like gold and silver for a glamorous look or with other jewel tones like emerald green or ruby red for a bold and vibrant statement. The use of ultramarine in fabrics like velvet or silk enhances its richness and depth.
Interior Design Accent
For interior design, ultramarine can serve as a bold statement color in a room. Consider using it on an accent wall, in decorative pillows, or in artwork to add a touch of sophistication and drama. It complements natural materials like wood and stone, as well as metallic accents such as brass or copper. When using it as a wall color, be sure to balance it with lighter furniture and decor to prevent the room from feeling too dark or overwhelming. The contrast between the color and white will give the room a vibrant and fresh look.