Chathams Blue
General Information
Chathams Blue, with the hexadecimal code #1A4F81, is a dark, muted shade of blue. It's a color often associated with stability, trust, and intelligence, making it suitable for a wide range of applications. In the RGB color model, it is composed of 10.2% red, 31% green, and 50.6% blue. In the CMYK color model, it is composed of 80% cyan, 39% magenta, 0% yellow, and 49% black. This color's relatively low saturation contributes to its calming and professional feel. Historically, blue has been associated with royalty and authority, lending this particular shade a sense of sophistication. Its slightly cool undertones make it versatile for both print and digital design.
The color #1A4F81, also known as Chathams Blue, presents some accessibility challenges, especially concerning color contrast. When used as a background color, it's crucial to ensure that the foreground text or elements have sufficient contrast to meet WCAG guidelines. A contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1 is recommended for normal text and 3:1 for large text. Lighter colors like white, light yellow, or very pale shades of green or blue would generally work better as foreground colors. Tools like WebAIM's Contrast Checker can be utilized to assess contrast ratios. Also, avoid using this color as the sole indicator of interactive elements or important information, as users with color vision deficiencies might not be able to distinguish them effectively. Consider providing additional visual cues like underlines, icons, or patterns.
Shades
Digital Color Formats
Alternative colors
Applications
Web Development
In web development, Chathams Blue can be used for website headers and footers to provide a calming and professional appearance. It's suitable for websites in the finance, technology, or healthcare sectors where trust and reliability are paramount. When using it for interactive elements such as buttons or links, make sure the hover and active states have enough contrast. Using this color for data visualization is an option to represent trends, for example in line charts. But also take care about the readability and contrast here. Additionally, this color may be used in mobile app design for navigation bars or background elements, giving the user interface a clean and modern feel.
Interior Design
In interior design, Chathams Blue can be used as an accent wall color to create a serene and relaxing atmosphere. It pairs well with neutral colors like gray, beige, and white. It can also be used in furniture upholstery or decorative pillows to add a pop of color to a room. This color may be used for corporate settings such as waiting areas in order to signal safety and security.
Fashion
In fashion, Chathams Blue can be used in clothing design for both formal and casual wear. It is a versatile color that can be paired with various other colors, such as white, black, gray, or even brighter colors like yellow or pink, but remember to not combine too many bright colors. It can also be used in accessories like scarves, hats, or handbags to add a touch of sophistication to an outfit. Chathams Blue can also be used in makeup, particularly for eye shadow or eyeliner, to create a subtle and elegant look.