Asphalt
General Information about Asphalt (#120A09)
The hex color #120A09, often referred to as 'Asphalt', is a very dark, muted shade that resides near black on the color spectrum. It is composed of 7.06% red, 3.92% green, and 3.53% blue. This color is frequently associated with feelings of sophistication, mystery, and groundedness. Due to its dark nature, it's often used to provide contrast or to create a sense of depth in designs. In color theory, Asphalt's low saturation and brightness contribute to its neutrality, making it a versatile choice for backgrounds, text, and accents. Its subtlety allows other colors in a palette to stand out, making it useful in emphasizing key elements in visual compositions. The name itself evokes the urban landscape, suggesting a connection to modern industrial environments.
The color #120A09, also known as Asphalt, presents significant accessibility challenges due to its low luminance. Its dark nature results in poor contrast against common background colors like white, making it difficult for users with visual impairments to read text or discern elements using this color. To improve accessibility, it's crucial to use lighter text colors like white or very light grays when using Asphalt as a background. Additionally, ensuring that interactive elements have sufficient contrast ratios, as defined by WCAG guidelines, is essential. A contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1 for normal text and 3:1 for large text is recommended. Designers should also consider providing alternative color schemes that offer better contrast for users with different visual needs. Tools like contrast checkers can help evaluate and adjust color combinations for optimal accessibility.
Shades
Digital Color Formats
Alternative colors
Applications
Website Design
Asphalt (#120A09) can be effectively used in website footers and navigation bars to create a strong visual anchor. Its dark tone allows for clear separation of content areas, particularly when paired with lighter text and interactive elements. This color provides a sophisticated and modern feel, suitable for websites aiming for a professional aesthetic. When combined with a clean layout and ample whitespace, Asphalt can contribute to a user-friendly and visually appealing browsing experience. It is also suitable in data visualisation as a background or a highlight color, especially when using lighter shades of different hues.
Interior Design
In interior design, Asphalt can be used as an accent wall color or for furniture pieces to add depth and drama to a room. Its deep, near-black hue works well in contrast with lighter walls and brighter decorative elements. It evokes a sense of sophistication and modernity, making it suitable for contemporary spaces. Asphalt can also be used in smaller doses, such as in picture frames or decorative vases, to add subtle accents and ground the overall design. In general, Asphalt is used to avoid distraction and emphasize other elements of the room.
Fashion Design
In fashion, Asphalt (#120A09) can serve as a versatile base color for creating chic and elegant outfits. As a dark neutral, it pairs well with a wide range of colors, from vibrant hues to other muted tones. It can be used for essential wardrobe pieces such as trousers, skirts, or jackets, providing a sophisticated foundation for building different looks. Asphalt is especially effective in creating minimalist or monochromatic outfits, offering a timeless and refined aesthetic. The color can also be accessorized with bolder colors to make it less bleak and more eye-pleasing.