Acadia
General Information about Acadia
The hexadecimal color #181202, commonly referred to as Acadia, is a very dark shade of brown, almost black. It is composed of 9.4% red, 7.1% green, and 0.8% blue. In the RGB color space, it closely resembles the deep, earthy tones found in natural materials like dark wood, soil, or roasted coffee beans. Acadia's muted nature makes it a versatile color for creating a sense of depth, grounding, and warmth in various design applications. It is a color often associated with stability, tradition, and the natural world, making it suitable for projects aiming to convey reliability or a connection to the environment. It's crucial to balance this dark hue with lighter, contrasting colors to avoid a somber or overwhelming effect, especially in digital interfaces or visual communication.
The color #181202, also known as Acadia, presents significant accessibility challenges, especially concerning color contrast. Due to its dark nature, it is crucial to use it with very light text or foreground elements to ensure readability. A contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1 is recommended for normal-sized text and 3:1 for large text, as defined by WCAG guidelines. When used as a background, lighter shades of yellows, creams, or even light greens can provide sufficient contrast. Conversely, using dark text on this background would render the content largely illegible, failing to meet basic accessibility standards. Careful consideration is needed to avoid excluding users with visual impairments or color vision deficiencies. Adequate testing with accessibility evaluation tools is highly recommended.
Shades
Digital Color Formats
Alternative colors
Applications
Website Design
Acadia (#181202) can serve as a sophisticated and grounding color in website design, particularly for themes that aim to evoke feelings of nature, stability, or heritage. It's especially effective when used sparingly for elements like headers, footers, or borders, where it can add depth and richness without overwhelming the overall aesthetic. The dark shade makes it an excellent choice for highlighting calls to action when paired with contrasting text. However, due to its darkness, it should not be used as a background for long-form text.
Interior Design
In interior design, Acadia can be incorporated to create a warm and cozy atmosphere, reminiscent of natural wood and earth tones. It works well in rooms where a sense of calm and relaxation is desired, such as studies, libraries, or bedrooms. Acadia can be used for accent walls, furniture upholstery, or even as a primary color for wooden furniture. To balance the darkness, pair it with lighter neutrals, such as creams, beiges, or soft grays, and introduce natural textures like wood, stone, or wool.
Fashion
Acadia offers a rich and earthy tone that works best for fall and winter collections. It can be used for outerwear, knitwear or accessories to evoke a sense of sophistication.