Ultramarine
General Information about Ultramarine
The hex color #0F1789, also known as Ultramarine, is a deep shade of blue located in the blue-violet region of the color spectrum. It is composed of 5.9% red, 9% green, and 53.7% blue. In the RGB color model, it is represented as (15, 23, 137). Ultramarine is often associated with royalty, depth, and stability. The color gets its name from the pigment derived from lapis lazuli, a semi-precious stone that was historically imported from overseas ('ultra mare' in Latin). Because of the cost of lapis lazuli, Ultramarine was an expensive pigment, reserved for important commissions. This color evokes feelings of trust, loyalty, wisdom, confidence, intelligence, faith, truth, and heaven.
The color #0F1789, a deep ultramarine, presents some accessibility challenges, particularly concerning color contrast. When used as a background color, it necessitates very light text (white or near-white) to ensure readability. A contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1 is recommended for standard text and 3:1 for large text to comply with WCAG guidelines. It's crucial to test the color combination with accessibility tools to verify sufficient contrast. Using this color for interactive elements, such as links or buttons, also requires careful consideration to ensure they are easily distinguishable. The darkness of the color means that color alone should not be the only method to convey information. Consider adding an icon or text label for additional clarity. Visually impaired users rely on sufficient contrast, and failing to meet accessibility standards can exclude them from accessing content effectively.
Shades
Digital Color Formats
Alternative colors
- #293399
A slightly lighter shade of blue that maintains a rich, vibrant feel while improving contrast with darker text.
- #334756
A more desaturated blue that offers a calmer aesthetic and improved readability when paired with various text colors.
- #4169e1
If you want to implement a more futuristic aesthetic, this neon-ish blue can be an option.
Applications
Web Design
In web design, #0F1789 can be used to create a sophisticated and professional look, especially for financial institutions or tech companies. It can be used in website headers, footers, or as an accent color to highlight important elements. However, it should be balanced with lighter colors to avoid overwhelming the user. For example, it can be used as a background for call-to-action buttons with white text to draw attention. This color could be ideal for data visualizations, specifically graphs and charts, where various shades of blue can represent different data sets. It can also serve as the primary color for a loading screen, providing a sense of calmness and reliability while the content loads.
Fashion
In the fashion industry, ultramarine evokes a sense of elegance and mystery. This could be used for evening wear, formal suits, or even as a bold accent color in accessories like scarves or handbags. This particular shade of blue is very common in athleisure as well. The color is often associated with nautical themes, making it suitable for creating garments for sailing or coastal lifestyles. Ultramarine can also be used in cosmetics, specifically in eye shadows or eyeliners, to create a dramatic and striking look. A deeper shade can be used for nail polish, offering a sophisticated alternative to classic black or red.
Interiour Design
Ultramarine is a very popular color choice for interior design. It is widely used in bathrooms, kitchens, and bedrooms. Due to it being a dark colour, it is often used for small accents in the home, such as paintings or other decorations. This color is often paired with white to brighten up a room, or combined with greens and browns to add a warmer hue to a room. Ultramarine as a colour is also found in offices, mainly in large corporations to create a more formal setting.