Congress Blue
General Information about Congress Blue
The color #0B4490, often referred to as Congress Blue, is a deep, muted shade of blue that conveys a sense of authority, stability, and trustworthiness. In the RGB color model, it consists of 4.31% red, 26.67% green, and 56.47% blue. Its hexadecimal representation makes it easily usable in web design and digital applications. This color is often associated with institutions, governments, and organizations that want to project an image of reliability and competence. The color is percieved to be both formal and authoritative, and it is associated with positions of power. Its muted nature makes it a versatile choice for backgrounds, accents, and other design elements where a strong but not overpowering color is needed. It evokes a sense of calm and professionalism, making it suitable for various applications.
The hex color #0B4490, also known as Congress Blue, presents some accessibility considerations, especially in web design. Its dark hue means it requires careful pairing with text colors to ensure sufficient contrast for readability. According to WCAG guidelines, the contrast ratio between text and background should be at least 4.5:1 for normal text and 3:1 for large text. When using #0B4490 as a background, a light text color like white (#FFFFFF) or a very pale yellow would be appropriate choices to meet these standards. It is crucial to test color combinations using accessibility tools to verify compliance and ensure that users with visual impairments can comfortably read the content. Failing to provide adequate contrast can exclude users and negatively impact the overall user experience. Moreover, avoid using color as the sole means of conveying information; supplement color cues with text or icons.
Shades
Digital Color Formats
Alternative colors
- #336699
A lighter shade of blue that offers better contrast against dark text, making it a more versatile choice for backgrounds.
- #1E90FF
A brighter, more vibrant blue that can be used as an accent color to draw attention to specific elements on a page.
- #4682B4
A softer, muted blue that provides a calming and professional feel, suitable for corporate websites and user interfaces.
Applications
Branding and Corporate Identity
Congress Blue, #0B4490, evokes feelings of trust, stability, and authority, making it a popular choice for branding in the finance and government sectors. Its deep, muted tone conveys a sense of professionalism and reliability. In logo design, it can be paired with gold or silver accents to create a sophisticated and trustworthy image. Furthermore, this color is used in website designs where the goal is to establish credibility and convey a sense of security to visitors, enhancing the overall user experience by instilling confidence.
Web Design
In web design, #0B4490 can be used for navigation bars, headers, and footers to create a visually appealing and organized layout. It provides a strong, grounding presence to a webpage. When used sparingly as an accent color, it can draw attention to important calls to action or highlight key information. However, it is essential to ensure adequate contrast with text and other elements to maintain accessibility and readability for all users, enhancing overall usability and user satisfaction on the website.
Interior Design
In interior design, Congress Blue can be used as an accent wall color in offices or studies to create a calming yet professional atmosphere. It pairs well with natural wood tones and metallic accents. It can also be used in furniture upholstery or decorative accessories to add a touch of sophistication to a room. Using this color can evoke a sense of calm professionalism within any space and it has the potential to transform the user's mood within it.