Ultramarine
General Information about Ultramarine
Ultramarine, represented by the hexadecimal color code #121690, is a deep and rich shade of blue. It originates from the pigment derived from the gemstone lapis lazuli, highly valued since ancient times. Its name literally means "beyond the sea", referring to its import from Asia to Europe. In the RGB (Red, Green, Blue) color model, #121690 consists of 7.06% red, 8.63% green, and 56.47% blue. In the CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Key/Black) color model, it is composed of 87% cyan, 85% magenta, 0% yellow, and 44% black. This color is often associated with royalty, intelligence, and stability. Ultramarine is used in various applications, ranging from fine art and fashion to web design and branding, because of its depth and elegance.
The color #121690, also known as Ultramarine, presents significant accessibility challenges due to its dark nature and low contrast against light backgrounds. For web content, using this color as text on a white or very light background would fail WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) standards for color contrast. To improve accessibility, it is essential to pair it with much lighter text colors, such as white or very light yellows, ensuring a contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1 for normal text and 3:1 for large text. Alternatively, using #121690 as a background color requires similarly light text to meet accessibility standards. Employing tools to check color contrast ratios during design is crucial. Also, consider users with color vision deficiencies; relying solely on color to convey information can exclude these users. Supplementing color with text labels or other visual cues ensures inclusivity.
Shades
Digital Color Formats
Alternative colors
Applications
Web Design
Ultramarine (#121690) is a sophisticated and deep color, making it suitable for website headers and navigation bars, particularly for sites aiming to convey trust and reliability. In branding, this color communicates stability, intelligence, and authority. It can be used in logos or as a primary color for companies in finance, technology, or education. When used sparingly as an accent, Ultramarine can add a touch of elegance to user interfaces. For example, using it for button hover states or small icons can enhance the user experience without overwhelming the design. Its depth can also be leveraged in data visualizations to effectively highlight key data points.
Interior Design, Fashion and Beauty
In interior design, Ultramarine (#121690) can be used as an accent wall color to add depth and a focal point to a room. It pairs well with neutral tones like white, gray, and beige, creating a balanced and sophisticated atmosphere. For fashion, Ultramarine can be used in evening wear or formal attire to evoke elegance and poise. It's a great choice for accessories like scarves, handbags, or jewelry to add a pop of color to an outfit. In the beauty industry, Ultramarine can be used for eyeshadows or eyeliners to create a bold and dramatic look.
Graphic Design
Ultramarine (#121690) is a versatile color in graphic design, ideal for creating a sense of depth and sophistication in logos and branding materials. Its richness works particularly well in minimalistic designs where a single impactful color can convey a strong message. This color can be used to create backgrounds, infographics and presentations for technology and science related topics. Ultramarine can enhance visual appeal and effectively communicate complex information.