Acadia
General Information about Acadia (#170F01)
The hex color #170F01, commonly referred to as Acadia, is a very dark shade of brown. It resides within the reddish-brown color family, characterized by its muted and earthy tones. In the RGB color model, it is composed of 9.02% red, 5.88% green, and 0.39% blue. Converting this to the CMYK color model, Acadia consists of 0% cyan, 35% magenta, 96% yellow, and 91% black. This composition explains its deep, dark nature. The color is often associated with natural elements, evoking feelings of earthiness, warmth, and stability. Acadia is rarely used as a primary color in design due to its dark nature, but it can be used as an accent to bring depth and a sense of groundedness to various applications.
The hex color #170F01, also known as Acadia, presents significant accessibility challenges, particularly for users with visual impairments. Its extremely low luminance value of approximately 0.005 makes it difficult to distinguish from black, leading to very poor contrast. According to WCAG guidelines, sufficient contrast is crucial for readability and usability. Text or interactive elements using #170F01 on a white background would fail even the most lenient contrast ratio requirements. To improve accessibility, consider using lighter text colors like whites and light grays that provide a higher contrast ratio, or using #170F01 sparingly, focusing on using it for decorative elements rather than critical content. Ensure that any text paired with #170F01 meets a minimum contrast ratio of 4.5:1 for normal text and 3:1 for large text, as specified by WCAG AA standards. For AAA compliance, even higher contrast ratios are needed.
Shades
Digital Color Formats
Alternative colors
- #332922
A slightly lighter brown, #332922 provides a bit more contrast while maintaining a similar earthy tone.
- #4d453d
For better readability, #4D453D offers increased luminance and is a safer choice for text.
- #22170f
The color #22170f has the benefit that it is slightly lighter than the original and thus enhances accessibility.
Applications
Website Background Accent
In web design, Acadia (#170F01) can be used as a subtle background accent to create a sense of warmth and earthiness, especially for websites related to nature, coffee, or vintage themes. However, it should be used sparingly for text or interactive elements due to its low contrast. Consider pairing it with lighter, contrasting colors to ensure readability and accessibility. For instance, it could be an excellent choice for the background of a header section or as a divider line, adding a touch of sophistication without overwhelming the user. This color can also bring a level of sophistication to websites and apps.
Interior Design Accent
In interior design, Acadia (#170F01) can serve as a grounding color for furniture or accent walls, bringing a sense of stability and connection to the earth. It works well in spaces designed to evoke comfort and relaxation, such as reading rooms or home offices. The color pairs beautifully with natural materials like wood and stone, enhancing the overall aesthetic. When using it on walls, ensure the room has ample natural light or complementary lighting to prevent the space from feeling too dark. Accessorize with lighter-colored decor to create contrast and visual interest.
Fashion and apparel
Acadia can be incorporated into fashion through leather accessories such as belts and shoes, as well as in earth-toned textiles for clothing. Given its depth, it serves as a great foundation for a wardrobe in the fall or winter, especially when paired with brighter and lighter tones to avoid looking drab. It can create a very understated, elegant appearance and adds a touch of timelessness to an outfit.