Ultramarine
General Information about Ultramarine
The color #1B0299, also known as Ultramarine, is a deep and intense shade of blue within the blue-violet spectrum. Historically, ultramarine was a highly prized pigment made from ground lapis lazuli, making it more expensive than gold. It was a color often associated with royalty and religious figures. In modern color terminology, #1B0299 represents a saturated and somewhat dark blue. In the RGB color model, it consists of 10.6% red, 0.8% green, and 60% blue. In the CMYK color model, it's composed of high percentages of cyan, magenta, and black, reflecting its depth. This color evokes feelings of calmness, sophistication, and mystery, due to its proximity to the violet range.
The color #1B0299, a deep ultramarine, presents some accessibility challenges, particularly concerning color contrast. When used as a background color, it necessitates light-colored text to ensure readability. A contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1 is recommended for standard text and 3:1 for large text, as per WCAG guidelines. Insufficient contrast can exclude users with low vision or color blindness. Also, avoid using this color as the sole indicator for interactive elements; supplement with text labels or icons. Consider providing alternative color schemes to allow users to customize their viewing experience. Thoroughly test color combinations with accessibility tools to identify and rectify any potential usability issues, ensuring content is accessible to the widest possible audience. Remember to consider both foreground and background luminosity.
Shades
Digital Color Formats
Alternative colors
A slightly lighter and brighter shade that provides better contrast against white text.
A more muted and desaturated alternative that can be used as a background color without overpowering other elements.
A deep indigo that maintains a similar hue but offers slightly improved contrast for text.
Applications
Website Design
In web design, this color can be used for creating a sense of depth and sophistication in website headers or navigation menus. Its richness makes it suitable for websites targeting luxury brands or artistic portfolios. It can be paired with lighter accent colors to create a visually appealing and professional aesthetic. Furthermore, its dark nature is ideal to implement a dark-mode theme. Also the color can be used for data visualization, when used carefully with the lighter color palette to deliver a better contrast between data-sets
Fashion Design
In fashion, ultramarine can be used as an accent color in clothing or accessories. A small element of #1B0299, such as a scarf or jewelry, can add a pop of color to a neutral outfit. Because of its strong presence it can also be used as a base color for entire outfits. Consider that this color is often related with royalty, spirituality, wisdom, and nobility. This deep blue is a versatile color that has been used throughout history in various garments.
Branding
This hex color is a great choice for branding because its rich color provides a feeling of royalty and knowledge. This can attract potential clients for companies that specialize in consulting and/or financial investments. A lighter color in the UI balances the color when designing the logo.