Ultramarine
General Information about Ultramarine
The hex color #160DA6, commonly known as Ultramarine, is a deep and intense shade of blue. It belongs to the blue color family and is characterized by its high saturation and relatively low brightness. In the RGB color model, it is composed of 8.63% red, 5.1% green, and 65.1% blue. Ultramarine has historically been associated with royalty, prestige, and spirituality, primarily due to the high cost and rarity of the pigment derived from lapis lazuli, from which the color gets its name. In modern usage, Ultramarine conveys a sense of sophistication, intelligence, and trustworthiness, making it a popular choice for branding, graphic design, and web development. Its vibrant nature allows it to stand out, especially when paired with complementary colors.
The hex color #160DA6, also known as Ultramarine, presents accessibility challenges primarily due to its dark hue. When used as a background color, it requires very light text (ideally white or near-white) to ensure sufficient contrast for readability. According to WCAG guidelines, the contrast ratio between the text and background should be at least 4.5:1 for normal text and 3:1 for large text (14pt bold or 18pt regular). Using a color like #160DA6 without careful consideration of text color can lead to poor readability, especially for users with visual impairments. It's crucial to test color combinations using accessibility tools to verify compliance with accessibility standards. When used for interactive elements like buttons or links, ensuring clear visual cues such as hover states or underlines becomes even more important. Furthermore, providing alternative styling options for users who prefer high contrast displays could enhance overall accessibility.
Shades
Digital Color Formats
Alternative colors
A slightly lighter shade of blue that still retains the essence of Ultramarine but offers better contrast ratios with dark text.
A more desaturated blue that can be used to create a calmer and more subtle background.
A vibrant violet color that offers a different aesthetic while maintaining a similar level of intensity, providing flexibility in design while remaining visually appealing.
Applications
Brand Identity
Ultramarine (#160DA6) can be used as a primary brand color to convey sophistication, trustworthiness, and innovation. Its depth and richness make it suitable for logos, website headers, and marketing materials, especially for technology or finance companies seeking to establish a reliable and forward-thinking image. To enhance the brand identity, it could also be paired with a lighter accent color and incorporated into a consistent visual theme across various platforms, reinforcing the brand's unique character.
Web Design
In web design, Ultramarine can be used as a background for call-to-action buttons to make them stand out. For example, the background of a button to download a file or sign up for a newsletter. Ultramarine can also be used for highlighting key information in articles or product descriptions, to help the user focus on the most important parts. It can be combined with lighter shades of blue or white to create a clean and professional design.
Interior Design
In interior design, Ultramarine (#160DA6) can be used as an accent color in a room. For example, it can be used for painting a feature wall, or for decorative items such as cushions or throws. Its richness and depth make it perfect for creating a sense of luxury and sophistication in a space. It can be combined with neutral colors such as gray or white to create a balanced and harmonious design.