Congress Blue
General Information about Congress Blue (#044C94)
The hex color #044C94, often referred to as Congress Blue, is a dark shade of blue that exudes a sense of authority, stability, and intelligence. It is composed of 1.57% red, 29.8% green, and 58.04% blue. In the RGB color space, this translates to R:4, G:76, and B:148. The CMYK values are C:97, M:49, Y:0, and K:42. The color is often associated with professionalism and trust, making it a popular choice for corporate branding, government agencies, and educational institutions. Congress Blue can evoke feelings of calmness and reliability, which is why it is often used in industries aiming to convey a sense of security and dependability. Its dark hue requires careful consideration of contrast when used with text or other design elements to ensure readability and accessibility.
The hex color #044C94, also known as Congress Blue, presents some accessibility challenges due to its dark hue. When used as a background color, it necessitates very light text to ensure sufficient contrast for readability. According to WCAG guidelines, the contrast ratio between the text and background should be at least 4.5:1 for normal text and 3:1 for large text to meet AA compliance. For AAA compliance, these ratios increase to 7:1 and 4.5:1, respectively. Given the darkness of #044C94, lighter shades of white, cream, or very pale yellows would be appropriate choices for text color. It is crucial to test color combinations using accessibility evaluation tools to verify compliance and ensure the content is accessible to users with visual impairments. Avoid using this color for small text or elements where readability is paramount without careful consideration of contrast.
Shades
Digital Color Formats
Alternative colors
- #4682b4
A lighter shade of blue that provides better contrast with darker text, improving readability while maintaining a professional and calming aesthetic.
- #77b5fe
A softer, muted blue that can be used as a background color, paired with darker text for good contrast and a gentle, inviting feel.
- #007bff
A more vibrant blue that can be used as an accent color to draw attention to specific elements on a webpage or in a design.
Applications
Financial Branding
Congress Blue (#044C94) is an excellent choice for branding materials in the financial sector. Its depth and stability can convey trust and reliability, which are essential qualities for banks, investment firms, and insurance companies. This color can be effectively used in logos, websites, and marketing collateral to establish a professional and secure image. Pairing it with neutral colors like gray or white will further enhance its impact and create a balanced, trustworthy aesthetic.
Educational Platforms
In the realm of education, Congress Blue can be used to create a sense of authority and knowledge. It is well-suited for university websites, academic publications, and online learning platforms. The color evokes a feeling of intelligence and can encourage students to engage with the material. Consider using it for headings, navigation bars, and important call-to-action buttons to guide users through the content effectively. Its somber tone should be balanced with lighter elements to maintain an approachable and engaging environment.
UI/UX Design
Congress Blue is an elegant color choice for designing professional and modern user interfaces. It can be used as a primary color for the overall design or can be applied to the navigation bar, headers, and buttons. The deep blue color creates a sophisticated and trustworthy impression that is especially suitable for business or corporate applications. Ensure sufficient contrast for readability by using lighter shades for the text.