Chambray
General Information about Chambray (#294F81)
Chambray, represented by the hex code #294F81, is a dark, muted shade of blue, reminiscent of the woven fabric that shares its name. It is a color that evokes feelings of calmness, stability, and sophistication. In the RGB color model, it consists of 16.1% red, 31% green, and 50.6% blue. Its subdued nature makes it a versatile choice for various design applications. The color sits comfortably within the blue color family, often associated with trust and reliability, making it a popular choice for corporate branding and user interface design. Furthermore, Chambray's muted tone allows it to pair well with a variety of other colors, from neutrals to brighter accent colors, adding to its appeal in design contexts.
The color #294F81, also known as Chambray, presents moderate accessibility challenges. Its luminance value is relatively low, which can make it difficult to read when used as text on a white background. To ensure readability, it's crucial to use a text size that is large enough or to increase the text weight (e.g., bold). When used as a background color, sufficient contrast should be provided by the foreground elements. A contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1 is recommended for normal-sized text and 3:1 for large text (14pt bold or 18pt regular) according to WCAG guidelines. Tools like contrast checkers can help verify the contrast ratio. Consider pairing Chambray with lighter hues for better visual clarity, especially in interfaces aimed at users with visual impairments. Careful consideration of text size, weight, and surrounding colors is essential to ensure an inclusive and accessible design.
Shades
Digital Color Formats
Alternative colors
- #5b9bd5
A lighter shade of blue that provides better contrast against white backgrounds, improving readability for text elements.
- #808080
A neutral gray that can be used as a background color, offering a subtle contrast with darker text.
- #333333
A dark gray providing better readability for light texts and a modern esthetic.
Applications
Web and UI Design
Chambray (#294F81) can be effectively used in website headers and footers to create a professional and calming visual experience. Its depth provides a sense of stability and trust, which is especially useful for business and corporate websites. In UI design, it serves as an excellent color for primary buttons or call-to-action elements, as it stands out without being overly aggressive. In data visualization, Chambray can represent one category within a larger dataset, offering a visually distinct but not jarring element. Furthermore, it is well-suited for backgrounds in mobile applications, providing a modern and refined aesthetic.
Fashion and Interior Design
In fashion, Chambray translates into sophisticated casual wear. Think button-down shirts, denim-like dresses, and even lightweight jackets. Its subdued hue lends itself well to both menswear and womenswear, creating a versatile palette. For interior design, Chambray can grace accent walls, upholstery, or even decorative accessories such as throw pillows and blankets. It creates a calming and inviting atmosphere, making it suitable for bedrooms, living rooms, or studies. It pairs well with both warm and cool neutrals, allowing for a multitude of design possibilities.
Graphic Design and Branding
Chambray's calming and sophisticated nature makes it an excellent choice for branding and logo design, especially for companies that want to convey a sense of reliability, trust, and professionalism. It works well in industries like finance, technology, and healthcare. Additionally, this color can be used to create visually appealing infographics and presentations, providing a professional and engaging aesthetic. Its versatility makes it a solid choice for a range of graphic design applications.