Ultramarine
General Information about Ultramarine
The hexadecimal color #160692, also known as Ultramarine, is a deep, saturated blue hue. It's composed of 8.63% red, 2.35% green, and 57.25% blue. In the RGB color space, it is a relatively dark color. Ultramarine has a rich history, originally derived from the precious mineral lapis lazuli. The color name literally means "beyond the sea", as lapis lazuli was imported to Europe from Asia by sea. Due to its historical rarity and high cost, ultramarine pigment was highly prized and often reserved for the most important figures in paintings, such as the Virgin Mary. Nowadays, synthetic ultramarine is widely available, making it an accessible and popular color choice across various applications.
The hex color #160692, a deep ultramarine, presents several accessibility considerations for web development. Its low luminance value means that it requires very light text (ideally white or near-white) to ensure sufficient contrast for readability, meeting WCAG guidelines for contrast ratios. Using darker text on this background would likely fail accessibility standards, making the content difficult or impossible for users with visual impairments to read. When using this color, it's essential to test contrast ratios using online tools to confirm compliance. Furthermore, consider providing alternative color schemes to accommodate users with different visual preferences or impairments, ensuring a more inclusive user experience. This might involve a high-contrast mode with drastically different color pairings or allowing users to customize the website's color scheme to suit their individual needs. Employing ARIA attributes can also improve the accessibility of elements using this color, especially for interactive components.
Shades
Digital Color Formats
Alternative colors
Applications
Website Design
In website design, #160692 can be used for headers, footers, or as an accent color to create a sense of sophistication and depth. However, due to its darkness, it should be paired with lighter colors for text and other interactive elements to ensure readability and accessibility. Consider using it sparingly to highlight key areas of a page and avoid overwhelming the user with too much dark color. Its rich tone evokes feelings of trust and stability, making it suitable for professional websites.
Fashion
In fashion, #160692 (Ultramarine) can be used as a bold statement color for evening wear or as an accent color in accessories. It pairs well with neutral colors like gray, black, and white, as well as metallic accents like gold and silver. The color conveys a sense of elegance and confidence, making it perfect for creating a sophisticated and memorable look. Because it's so dark, it's best used as an accent to other colors in an outfit.
Interior Design
Ultramarine (#160692) brings a sense of calm and sophistication to interior spaces. It works well as an accent wall color in living rooms or bedrooms, creating a focal point that draws the eye. When using this color in interior design, it's important to balance it with lighter shades to prevent the room from feeling too dark or oppressive. Pairing with warm wood tones and metallic accents can add a touch of luxury and create a balanced aesthetic. Can be used in small doses for decorations.