Toledo
General Information
The hexadecimal color #2D0118, also known as Toledo, is a dark, muted shade of red. It falls within the range of dark reds and maroons, evoking a sense of richness and depth. The color's composition consists of 17.65% red, 0.39% green, and 9.41% blue. In the RGB color space, it is represented as (45, 1, 24). This color is far from the most common colors. Its darkness results in a very low level of brightness and would thus require caution to be used for text, backgrounds and similar use cases. The color is quite unique and not often used in most designs.
The color #2D0118, also known as Toledo, presents significant accessibility challenges, particularly for users with visual impairments. Its extremely low luminance of approximately 1.1 cd/m² falls far below the recommended contrast ratios for text and interactive elements. According to WCAG guidelines, a contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1 is required for normal text against its background, and 3:1 for large text and UI components. Using #2D0118 for text or interactive elements against a white or light-colored background will result in a contrast ratio far below these recommendations, making it difficult for users with low vision to perceive the content. Therefore, it's crucial to avoid using this color for essential text or interactive elements. If it must be used for design purposes, ensure that sufficient contrast is provided through alternative means such as layering with brighter colors or using larger font sizes and bold text.
Shades
Digital Color Formats
Alternative colors
- #4a1422
A dark, muted red that provides a slightly lighter alternative while maintaining a similar aesthetic.
- #672232
A dark burgundy that offers a richer tone and slightly improved visibility compared to Toledo.
- #E3D1D5
A lighter color to be used as background color with the main color used for the text. Creates a more readable and accesible solution.
Applications
Web Design Accent
In web design, Toledo (#2D0118) can be used sparingly as an accent color to evoke a sense of luxury, mystery, or vintage charm. Due to its low visibility, it is best suited for backgrounds in small sections, decorative elements, or non-essential visual flourishes where readability is not paramount. It can also be used to create a dramatic contrast when paired with lighter shades in a dark theme. However, caution must be taken to avoid using it for important text, interactive components, or critical information, as its low luminance makes it difficult to perceive, leading to accessibility issues and a poor user experience.
Interior and Fashion Applications
In interior design, Toledo can be incorporated to create a moody and intimate atmosphere. It could be used as a wall color in a dimly lit space such as a home theater or a study. It would work exceptionally well in a room illuminated by warm, ambient lighting to create a comforting and luxurious atmosphere. Furthermore, it would be effective in smaller accent pieces such as throw pillows, art frames, or vases. In the fashion industry, the color can be used for garments, especially for evening wear or accessories such as scarves or bags. It also can be used for make-up, e.g. lipsticks and nail polish.
Graphic Design Background
The color can be a base in graphic design for creating backgrounds for e.g. a banner or poster. The dark color can be combined with white and light text to create a contrast, but caution has to be applied to not make the background too dark to be readable and accesible. It's important to use lighter shades to achieve an accessible design.