Indigo is an interesting color that sits between blue and violet on the color spectrum. It represents tranquility, harmony, confidence, and integrity, making it an ideal choice for certain types of graphic designs. It is one of the seven colors of the rainbow and has a wavelength of 420-440 nanometers.
Indigo is the darkest color among the seven rainbow colors. It appears inconspicuous between blue and purple but possesses both the calmness of blue and the energy of red. Indigo is neither an additive nor a subtractive primary color.
The name “indigo” comes from the plant indigo, which can be used to create a blue dye. The word “indigo” is derived from the Latin word “indicum,” meaning “Indian,” as the dye was originally exported from India to Europe. Indigo has excellent colorant properties and is widely used in architectural murals, fabric dyeing, paints, and other painting products.
Indigo Color Meaning
Indigo color holds various meanings. It symbolizes intuition and insight, facilitating deep concentration during introspection and meditation. It helps individuals reach a deeper level of consciousness. Additionally, indigo, being a natural color, evokes calmness and confidence, blending with the sky and the sea. In psychology, indigo is associated with wisdom, justice, and order.
More about Indigo / #330099
In the RGB color space, the hexadecimal code #330099 represents a composition of 20% red, 0% green, and 60% blue. In the CMYK color space, it is made up of 66.7% cyan, 100% magenta, 0% yellow, and 40% black. This color exhibits a hue angle of 260 degrees, a saturation of 100%, and a lightness of 30%. The #330099 color hex can be achieved by blending #6600ff with #000033. It is also worth noting that #330099, or #309, is considered a websafe color.
Various Shades of Indigo Color
Indigo color comes in a variety of shades, each with its own unique characteristics. Below are some notable shades of indigo:
Electric Indigo Color #6f00ff
Electric indigo is a bright and saturated color that lies between traditional indigo and violet. It represents a vivid bluish-violet shade and closely resembles the color of Spectrum Indigo on a computer screen. Its complementary color is lime green. In the RGB color space, #6f00ff consists of 43.53% red, 0.0% green, and 100.0% blue.
Dark Indigo Color #2a0d5d
Dark indigo, also known as Prussian blue, belongs to the deep purple family. It has medium brightness and high saturation. In the RGB color space, #2a0d5d consists of 16.47% red, 5.1% green, and 36.47% blue.
Deep Indigo Color #2b0071
Deep indigo, also known as blue-violet, represents indigo with a brightness between screen indigo and pigment indigo. In the RGB color space, #2b0071 consists of 16.86% red, 0.0% green, and 44.31% blue.
Violet Indigo Color #3e285c
Violet indigo is a color primarily found in the violet family. It is a mixture of blue and magenta. In the RGB color space, #3e285c consists of 24.31% red, 15.69% green, and 36.08% blue.
Pigment Indigo Color #4b0082
Pigment indigo, also known as web color indigo, can be tinted with paint or colored pencils. It appears slightly duller compared to the indigo displayed on screens and leans closer to violet. In the RGB color space, #4b0082 consists of 29.41% red, 0.0% green, and 50.98% blue.
Heather Indigo Color #2d2643
Heather indigo is an attractive combination of blue and purple, resulting in an overall indigo hue. It pairs well with purple and violet to enhance purple values or with dark blue to emphasize blue tones. In the RGB color space, #2d2643 consists of 17.65% red, 14.9% green, and 26.27% blue.
Indigo Dye Color #00416a
Indigo dye color is obtained from the Polygonum or Indigo plant and appears as a darker shade of indigo, similar to midnight blue. In the RGB color space, #00416a consists of 0.0% red, 25.49% green, and 41.57% blue.
Midnight Indigo Color #0e1b40
Midnight indigo represents a dark shade with a subtle mix of blue and purple. In the RGB color space, #0e1b40 consists of 5.49% red, 10.59% green, and 25.1% blue.
Indigo White Color #ebf6f7
Indigo white is an extremely light shade of cyan that falls within the blue color family. It evokes a cool and soothing feeling. In the RGB color space, #ebf6f7 consists of 92.16% red, 96.47% green, and 96.86% blue.
What are the Colors that Go with Indigo?
When designing with indigo, you can consider various color theory combinations that complement and enhance its beauty. Here are a few color schemes that work well with indigo:
Complementary Colors
The complementary color of #330099 is #669900. Complementary colors are positioned opposite each other on the color wheel and create visually striking palettes that capture attention.
Analogous Colors
For #330099, the analogous colors are #800099 (Deep Magenta) and #001a99 (Imperial Blue). Analogous color palettes offer a harmonious and soothing effect on the eyes.
Split Complementary Color
The split complements of #330099 are #998000 and #1a9900. Split complementary color palettes provide a pleasing combination with less contrast compared to complementary palettes, making them popular in graphic and web design.
Triadic Color
Forming a triadic color palette, #993300, #009933, and #330099 exhibit the greatest tonal variation and provide excellent contrast when combined.
Tetradic Color
The tetradic color palette of #330099, #993300, #669900, and #006699 offers a range of harmonious colors for design applications.
Monochromatic Colors
Indigo can be paired with various shades of itself, creating monochromatic color schemes that display different levels of depth and intensity.
Application of Indigo in Graphic Design
Indigo, with its deep and captivating hue, plays a significant role in the realm of graphic design. This versatile color offers a range of possibilities and can be effectively utilized to create visually appealing and impactful designs. Let’s delve into the various ways indigo is employed in graphic design.
Symbolism and Emotional Impact
Indigo holds powerful symbolism and can evoke a wide range of emotions. It is often associated with qualities such as tranquility, harmony, wisdom, and integrity. Graphic designers can leverage these emotional connotations to create designs that evoke a sense of calmness, trust, and sophistication. Whether it’s a logo, website, or branding material, incorporating indigo can help convey a sense of depth and professionalism.
Visual Contrast and Depth
Indigo serves as an excellent tool for creating visual contrast and depth within a design composition. Its rich and deep tone can be effectively juxtaposed with lighter colors to create a captivating visual impact. Whether used as a dominant color or in combination with other hues, indigo adds depth and sophistication to designs, making them visually compelling and memorable.
Versatile Color Combinations
Indigo pairs well with a variety of colors, offering graphic designers numerous possibilities for creating harmonious and eye-catching color palettes. Complementary colors, such as shades of yellow or green, can create striking visual contrasts when combined with indigo. Analogous color schemes, where indigo is paired with colors adjacent to it on the color wheel, result in a more harmonious and soothing palette. Designers can also explore split complementary, triadic, or tetradic color schemes to further expand their creative options when working with indigo.
Conveying Professionalism and Trust
In the world of branding and corporate design, indigo is often utilized to convey a sense of professionalism, trust, and reliability. This color choice can lend an air of sophistication and stability to corporate logos, business cards, and other marketing materials. When used appropriately, indigo can help establish a brand’s credibility and create a lasting impression on its target audience.
Creating a Sense of Mystery and Intrigue
Indigo’s enigmatic nature lends itself well to designs that aim to create a sense of mystery or intrigue. Whether it’s an artistic poster, a book cover, or a website background, indigo can set the stage for captivating storytelling and draw the viewer into a world of curiosity and wonder. Its deep and alluring shade invites exploration and adds an element of mysticism to the visual narrative.
Incorporating indigo into graphic design allows designers to tap into its symbolism, visual impact, and versatility. By carefully considering the emotional impact and desired message, designers can harness the power of indigo to create compelling and engaging visual experiences. Whether it’s conveying professionalism, creating contrast, or adding an air of mystery, indigo proves to be a valuable asset in the designer’s toolkit.
Summing Up
In this comprehensive guide, we explored the world of indigo color, covering its meaning, specific color information, various shades, color schemes, and practical applications. Indigo, with its unique blend of blue and violet, embodies tranquility, harmony, and confidence, making it a versatile choice for creative endeavors. By understanding the different shades of indigo and its compatibility with other colors, you can unleash your creativity and elevate your designs to new heights.
FAQs
- Is indigo a primary color? No, indigo is not considered a primary color in traditional color models like RGB or CMYK. However, it is one of the seven colors of the rainbow.
- What emotions does indigo color evoke? Indigo color evokes feelings of tranquility, harmony, confidence, and integrity. It is often associated with wisdom, justice, and order.
- What are some popular indigo color combinations? Popular indigo color combinations include complementary colors like indigo and lime green, analogous colors like indigo, deep magenta, and imperial blue, and split complementary colors like indigo, yellowish-green, and lime green.
- Can indigo be used in graphic design? Yes, indigo is widely used in graphic design. Its rich and deep hue adds depth and sophistication to designs, making it suitable for various applications.
- How can I incorporate indigo color into my designs? You can incorporate indigo color into your designs by using it as a background, accent color, or focal point. It can be used in logos, illustrations, websites, and other design elements to create a visually appealing composition.
