Congress Blue
General Information about Congress Blue
The hex color #084180, also known as Congress Blue, is a dark, muted shade of blue that evokes feelings of stability, trustworthiness, and authority. It belongs to the blue color family, which is often associated with calmness, intelligence, and security. In color psychology, Congress Blue can be used to create a sense of professionalism and reliability, making it a popular choice for corporate branding and government-related materials. The color is composed of 3.14% red, 25.49% green, and 50.2% blue. Its CMYK values are C:94, M:49, Y:0, K:50. This color is not overly vibrant and provides a sense of calmness. It can be used to create contrast to white and light surfaces. Congress Blue is a valuable color in design, offering a balance between formality and approachability. It is a great tool for businesses that want to exude professionalism and reliability.
The hex color #084180, also known as Congress Blue, presents some accessibility challenges, primarily due to its dark nature. When used as a background color, it's crucial to ensure that any text or interactive elements placed on top have sufficient contrast. A light text color, such as white or a very pale yellow, is generally recommended to meet WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) standards for contrast ratio (at least 4.5:1 for normal text and 3:1 for large text). Using a color contrast checker tool is essential to verify compliance. Furthermore, avoid using this color for conveying critical information without any accompanying text or labels, as users with low vision or color blindness may struggle to perceive it. Consider providing alternative visual cues, such as icons or patterns, alongside color to enhance accessibility. For interactive elements like buttons, provide clear visual feedback (e.g., a change in brightness or a distinct border) upon hover and focus states to ensure usability for all users, including those who rely on keyboard navigation or screen readers.
Shades
Digital Color Formats
Alternative colors
Applications
Website Headers and Footers
Congress Blue, with its deep and authoritative tone, finds excellent use in the creation of website headers and footers, especially for corporate or governmental sites. This color establishes a sense of trust and professionalism, guiding the user's eye through the important structural elements of the page. When coupled with a clean, white logo and navigation, it creates a visually pleasing and intuitive experience, reinforcing brand identity and improving user experience.
Data Visualization
The color #084180 works very well for data visualization, such as charts and graphs, in reports and presentations. It allows to distinguish between different categories or values, creating a clear visual hierarchy. Its serious and clean nature gives a nice professional and clear look in business settings and can even be used for infographics.
Accent Wall Color
In interior design, Congress Blue can be applied as an accent wall color in living rooms or studies to create a sophisticated and calming atmosphere. Its rich hue adds depth to the space, pairing beautifully with lighter neutrals like beige or gray. Incorporating textures like velvet or linen in complementary colors can further enhance the room's overall aesthetic, resulting in a serene and inviting environment.