Ultramarine
General Information about Ultramarine
Ultramarine (#0E019A) is a deep, vivid blue color with a rich history, originally derived from the precious mineral lapis lazuli. This color is known for its intensity and purity, making it a popular choice across various applications, from art and design to fashion and technology. In the RGB color model, it is composed of 5.5% red, 0.4% green, and 60.4% blue. Its prominence in historical art, particularly in religious paintings, contributed to its association with royalty, spirituality, and importance. Nowadays, Ultramarine is synthetically produced, making it more accessible while retaining its characteristic vibrancy. When used in digital design, Ultramarine can evoke feelings of trust, stability, and depth, making it suitable for branding, user interfaces, and data visualization. Its impactful nature makes it essential to consider accessibility guidelines to ensure inclusivity for all users.
The hex color #0e019a, also known as Ultramarine, presents several accessibility considerations for web development. Given its deep, saturated blue hue, sufficient contrast with text and other interactive elements is crucial. When using this color as a background, ensure that text displayed on top meets WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) contrast ratio requirements, particularly success criteria 1.4.3 (Contrast Minimum) and 1.4.6 (Contrast Enhanced). Lighter text colors such as white or very pale yellows are generally recommended to achieve adequate contrast. Additionally, avoid using this color as the sole indicator for interactive elements or important information, as users with visual impairments or color blindness may not be able to perceive it effectively. Providing alternative visual cues, such as underlines, icons, or text labels, is essential to ensure inclusivity and usability for all users. Proper attention to these details will help create a more accessible and user-friendly web experience.
Shades
Digital Color Formats
Alternative colors
A slightly lighter shade of blue that still provides a rich color but may offer better contrast in some contexts.
A more desaturated blue that can be used for backgrounds or elements where a strong color might be overwhelming.
A vibrant purple which complements and provides an alternative.
Applications
Website and App Backgrounds
Ultramarine, with its depth and richness, is a superb choice for backgrounds in website hero sections or app interfaces. Its luxurious feel can evoke trust and professionalism, making it suitable for financial or educational platforms. When paired with complementary colors in UI elements, it can create a visually appealing and engaging experience for users. Use in data visualization to represent key metrics or trends, due to its clear and distinct nature. Furthermore, the color helps to give a sense of importance to the data and draws the viewer to focus on the presented information.
Fashion Design
In fashion, Ultramarine can be used as a bold statement color in clothing designs. Think of a striking Ultramarine dress or a sharply tailored suit. It also works well as an accent color in accessories like scarves, handbags, or shoes, adding a pop of sophistication to a more neutral outfit. It is a choice to bring a sense of drama and luxury to couture.
Interior Design
For interior design, Ultramarine walls create a dramatic and sophisticated backdrop. It pairs well with metallic accents like gold or silver for a luxurious feel, or with natural wood tones for a more grounded, organic aesthetic. Use it in rooms where you want to create a sense of calm and depth, such as a bedroom or study. Accents with lighter colors will keep the space visually dynamic and prevent the room from feeling too dark.