Biscay
General Information about Biscay (#183664)
The hex color #183664, also known as Biscay, is a dark, muted shade of blue. It belongs to the blue color family and is often associated with feelings of calmness, stability, and trustworthiness. In the RGB color model, #183664 consists of 9.41% red, 21.18% green, and 39.22% blue. In the CMYK color model, it is composed of 76% cyan, 46% magenta, 0% yellow, and 61% black. This color is well-suited for creating a sophisticated and professional look in various design applications. Its subdued nature makes it a versatile choice for backgrounds, accents, and branding elements. Biscay is often used in corporate settings, financial institutions, and websites aiming to project a sense of reliability and expertise.
The hex color #183664, also known as Biscay, presents certain accessibility challenges, primarily due to its darkness. When used as a background color, it requires very light text (white or near-white) to ensure sufficient contrast for readability. According to WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines), the contrast ratio between text and background should be at least 4.5:1 for normal text and 3:1 for large text. This color may struggle to meet these ratios with many mid-tone colors. Therefore, designers and developers must carefully evaluate text and interactive element color choices to ensure they meet accessibility standards for users with visual impairments. Tools like contrast checkers can be used to verify compliance. Using a lighter shade of blue, or pairing it with a high contrast accent color can improve accessibility.
Shades
Digital Color Formats
Alternative colors
- #2e528f
A slightly lighter shade of blue that provides better contrast with a wider range of text colors.
- #333333
A neutral gray that can serve as a safer background option with better text contrast.
- #3a5a8d
A lighter blue tone that maintains a professional appearance while offering improved accessibility with lighter text.
Applications
Website Headers/Footers
Biscay (#183664) can be effectively used in website headers and footers to create a professional and calming visual experience. Its dark, muted tone conveys stability and trust, making it suitable for corporate websites and financial institutions. When combined with a clean, minimalist design and contrasting white or light-colored text, it can create a sophisticated and user-friendly interface, as well as navigation menus.
Interior Design Accent
In the realm of interior design, Biscay can be used as an accent wall color to add depth and sophistication to a room. It pairs well with neutral tones like gray, beige, and white, creating a balanced and inviting atmosphere. It can also be incorporated into furniture upholstery, such as sofas or chairs, to add a touch of elegance and personality to the space. When used in moderation and combined with proper lighting, it can transform a room into a stylish and comfortable haven.
Fashion Apparel
In fashion, Biscay can be incorporated into evening wear or formal attire. A dress in this shade could be very elegant. Accessorizing with metallic tones like silver or gold can further enhance the look, creating a striking contrast. In more casual settings, biscay-colored sweaters or jackets can be combined with lighter pants or skirts for a stylish yet relaxed ensemble.