Cerulean Blue
General Information about Cerulean Blue
The hexadecimal color code #2A5CBC, commonly referred to as Cerulean Blue, is a captivating and serene shade within the blue color family. It is created by mixing 16.47% red, 36.08% green, and 73.73% blue. In the RGB color model, this equates to 42 red, 92 green, and 188 blue. Cerulean Blue is often associated with tranquility, clarity, and depth, reminiscent of the ocean or a clear sky. This color is frequently employed in various design contexts to evoke a sense of calmness and trustworthiness. Its versatility makes it suitable for both digital and print media, where it can contribute to a visually appealing and harmonious aesthetic. In the world of color psychology, blues are often associated with stability and confidence.
The hex color #2A5CBC, also known as Cerulean Blue, presents some accessibility considerations for web developers. Its contrast ratio against white (#FFFFFF) is approximately 3.77:1, which does not meet the WCAG AA standard for normal text (4.5:1) or large text (3:1). Therefore, using #2A5CBC directly on a white background might pose readability issues for users, especially those with visual impairments. To improve accessibility, developers should either darken the color or use a lighter text color, such as white or a very light gray, to ensure sufficient contrast. Additionally, providing alternative text descriptions for any images or graphical elements using this color is crucial. For interactive elements, ensure that the color difference provides enough visual cue for focus states, such as hover or active states, to meet WCAG 2.0 guidelines. This is even more important when color is the only mean to deliver the information. Consider using other visual indicators in addition to color.
Shades
Digital Color Formats
Alternative colors
- #3366cc
A slightly lighter shade, #3366CC, provides a similar aesthetic while potentially offering better contrast against light backgrounds, enhancing readability.
- #1e40af
For situations needing a darker hue, #1E40AF maintains the blue tone but offers improved contrast against lighter text, thereby boosting accessibility.
- #2b60de
A very close alternative that is slightly brighter. This will slightly improve visibility.
Applications
Web and App Design
Cerulean Blue (#2A5CBC) can be used to create a calming and trustworthy atmosphere. In web design, it can be applied to website headers, navigation bars, or call-to-action buttons to draw attention. In mobile app development, consider employing it as a primary brand color or for graphical user interface (GUI) elements, because it conveys feelings of trust and security. When creating logos, this shade can be effective for companies in the technology, finance, or healthcare sectors, where creating trust and reliability is of utmost importance. Ensure sufficient color contrast with text elements.
Interior Design and Fashion
In interior design, Cerulean Blue works well as an accent color in bedrooms or living rooms, bringing a sense of serenity and peace. It can be used on walls, decorative pillows, or artwork to create a tranquil environment. Furthermore, fashion designers can incorporate this color into clothing lines for spring or summer collections, because of its versatility in pairing with neutral or complementary colors. Cerulean can be implemented in fashion products such as blouses, dresses, and accessories, especially to match a business casual style. It works well to create a calm atmosphere.
Marketing and Branding
Cerulean blue is a great color in marketing campaigns to convey professionalism, reliability, and stability. It can be used in advertising materials, social media graphics, and email marketing templates. Because of the feeling of stability, it's very well suited to be used in the tech industry. In branding, consider using this color for companies that want to project an image of trustworthiness and innovation. This can be leveraged in the fin-tech industry or modern tech companies.