Asphalt
General Information about Asphalt
The hex color code #13010C represents a very dark, muted shade of red-purple. It is often described as 'Asphalt' due to its resemblance to the color of pavement or road surfaces. This color has very low saturation and brightness values, placing it near the bottom of the color spectrum in terms of visual intensity. In the RGB color model, #13010C is composed of 7.45% red, 0.39% green, and 4.71% blue. This signifies that red is the dominant color component, although present only in a small percentage. The color's primary characteristic is its darkness, making it challenging to use without careful consideration of contrast and visual hierarchy.
The color #13010C, also known as Asphalt, presents significant accessibility challenges, particularly in text-based applications. Its extremely low lightness value results in poor contrast against typical light-colored backgrounds, making it difficult for users with visual impairments to perceive text or graphical elements rendered in this color. Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) emphasize a minimum contrast ratio of 4.5:1 for normal text and 3:1 for large text to ensure readability. Asphalt falls far short of these recommendations when paired with standard white or light gray backgrounds. Therefore, it's crucial to avoid using Asphalt for text, icons, or interactive elements unless accompanied by a very light or white foreground color to achieve sufficient contrast. Thoughtful consideration and testing with accessibility evaluation tools are essential to ensure usability for all users.
Shades
Digital Color Formats
Alternative colors
- #23111c
A slightly lighter shade provides better contrast against light backgrounds, improving readability and accessibility.
- #33011c
A more saturated dark red can be used as an accent color, adding visual interest without sacrificing contrast.
- #1a0a15
Offers a similar dark and muted tone while providing slightly improved contrast.
Applications
Sophisticated Web Design
Asphalt, with its deep and muted tone, finds application in creating sophisticated and understated web designs. It can be utilized for backgrounds, headers, or other visual elements where a subtle yet impactful statement is desired. When incorporated thoughtfully, it enhances the overall aesthetic appeal, giving websites a touch of elegance and refinement. Its compatibility with a wide range of colors and design styles makes it a flexible choice for web designers seeking to evoke a sense of luxury and visual harmony. Consider using it as a base color with lighter accents for a balanced visual experience.
Elegant Fashion
In the realm of fashion, Asphalt can serve as a versatile and refined color choice. Its dark and muted nature makes it ideal for clothing items that exude an air of elegance and understated style. Asphalt can be utilized in creating garments suitable for both formal and casual occasions, offering a touch of sophistication. Whether it's a sleek dress or a tailored suit, incorporating Asphalt into your wardrobe can elevate your style, giving you a sense of confidence and timeless appeal. Additionally, it serves as a canvas for vibrant accessories.
Home Cinema Accent
Asphalt, with its deep and grounding presence, can be used to evoke feelings of safety and warmth. It might not be suitable for painting entire rooms, but could be used as an accent wall in a home cinema, where you need dark colors to improve the picture quality. In this way, Asphalt offers a way to improve the functionality of a room, without being distracting. It can be used in many interior design styles, from modern to traditional, giving Asphalt great value as an accent color. In offices it can be used to signal safety and security.