Chambray
General Information about Chambray
The hexadecimal color #304C84, commonly known as Chambray, is a medium-dark shade of blue. In the RGB color model, it comprises 19.22% red, 29.8% green, and 51.76% blue. When represented in the CMYK color model, it consists of 62.88% cyan, 42.2% magenta, 0% yellow, and 48.24% black. This color is often associated with calmness, stability, and trustworthiness, making it a popular choice for various applications, ranging from branding to interior design. Its specific hue lies within the range of cool colors, evoking a sense of serenity and professionalism. Chambray is versatile and can be combined with different color palettes to achieve varied visual effects. It is named after the fabric with a similar color and weave.
The color #304C84, also known as Chambray, presents some accessibility considerations for web developers. Its relatively low luminance can pose challenges in ensuring sufficient contrast with both foreground and background elements, especially text. According to WCAG guidelines, a contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1 is recommended for normal text and 3:1 for large text against its background. When using Chambray, developers should carefully test the color combinations to meet these contrast requirements. Using online contrast checkers or accessibility testing tools is highly advised. If sufficient contrast cannot be achieved directly, consider using a lighter tint of Chambray or pairing it with a very light or white background to ensure readability and usability for all users, including those with visual impairments. Also, avoid using this color for essential information or interactive elements without thorough testing, as it might not be perceivable by all users.
Shades
Digital Color Formats
Alternative colors
Applications
Branding and Web Design
Chambray, with its calming and sophisticated hue, is well-suited for crafting a professional and trustworthy brand identity. Its applications range from website design, where it can form the primary color for headers, footers, and call-to-action buttons, to creating marketing materials such as brochures and presentations. In user interface design, Chambray can serve as a subtle background color to reduce eye strain or as an accent color to highlight essential elements. Its versatility makes it a perfect choice for businesses aiming to project an image of reliability and competence, particularly in industries like finance, technology, and education. Its neutrality is its strength, allowing elements of other brighter colors stand out against it.
Fashion and Interior Design
In the realm of fashion, Chambray is often associated with classic, casual styles. It can be used in clothing design for shirts, dresses, and even accessories. Its adaptability allows designers to create both laid-back, everyday wear and more polished, sophisticated ensembles. Furthermore, Chambray can be effectively incorporated into interior design. It works well as a wall color, creating a serene and inviting atmosphere, or as an accent color in furniture, curtains, and decorative items. Its ability to blend seamlessly with a variety of textures and materials makes it an excellent choice for achieving a balanced and aesthetically pleasing living space. It also adds a great contrast agains pure white.
Data Visualization
In data visualization, #304C84 can effectively represent categories in charts and graphs. Its moderate darkness allows it to stand out without being too visually aggressive, making it a suitable choice for presenting information clearly. It can also be employed in mapping applications to delineate regions or areas, provided that there is sufficient contrast with adjacent colors. The color's subtle nature ensures it doesn't overshadow the data itself, maintaining the focus on the insights being conveyed. The color should never be the only distinction between two datapoints as some viewers may not be able to distinguish between similar colors. When used with other colors, make sure colorblindness is taken into account.