Congress Blue
General Information about Congress Blue
The color #00498C, known as Congress Blue, is a deep, saturated blue that evokes feelings of trust, authority, and stability. In the RGB color model, it is composed of 0% red, 28.6% green, and 54.9% blue. This color is often associated with governmental institutions, academic settings, and corporate environments due to its serious and professional demeanor. In web design and graphic arts, Congress Blue can be effectively used to create a sense of formality and importance. Its hexadecimal code #00498C makes it easily adaptable for digital applications, ensuring color consistency across various platforms. It can be combined with complementary colors like gold or yellow to create visually striking contrasts. It is a very versatile color for brand identity.
The hex color #00498c, also known as Congress Blue, presents some accessibility challenges due to its relatively dark nature. When used as a background color, it necessitates very light text (white or near-white) to ensure sufficient contrast for readability, adhering to WCAG guidelines for contrast ratios. A contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1 is recommended for standard text and 3:1 for large text. Without sufficient contrast, users with visual impairments may struggle to read the content. Also, when using this color for interactive elements such as buttons or links, care should be taken to provide additional visual cues, such as underlines or borders, to ensure that the interactive elements are easily identifiable. It is also a good practice to provide high contrast versions as options to the user.
Shades
Digital Color Formats
Alternative colors
Applications
Website Header/Footer
Congress Blue can be effectively used in website headers and footers to establish a professional and trustworthy tone. Its deep hue provides a solid foundation for navigation menus and important contact information. It helps to create a sense of reliability which is especially important in domains such as finance, government, and education. Using a lighter shade of text will provide excellent contrast and readability.
Data Visualization
In data visualization, #00498C can represent a primary data series in charts and graphs. Its distinct color allows for easy differentiation from other data sets. It helps in communicating complex data in an accessible format. Pairing it with lighter colors for secondary data points ensures clarity. It can be used to create visually pleasing and professional charts.
Interior Design Accent
Congress Blue can serve as an accent color in interior design, particularly in office spaces or studies, to promote a sense of calm and focus. It can be used on walls, furniture, or decorative elements. When paired with neutral colors such as gray or beige, it can create a sophisticated and professional environment, that can foster a productive workspace. The color works well with both modern and traditional styles.