Congress Blue
General Information about Congress Blue
The color #0B4690, known as Congress Blue, is a deep, saturated blue hue that evokes feelings of trust, authority, and stability. It belongs to the blue color family, which is often associated with qualities like calmness, intelligence, and professionalism. This color is frequently used in contexts where reliability and credibility are paramount, such as in corporate branding, government communications, and financial institutions. It has a hex code #0B4690, an RGB value of (11, 70, 144), and a CMYK value of (92, 51, 0, 44). This specific shade of blue is often chosen to convey a sense of establishment and dependability. Its depth and richness can add a touch of sophistication and gravitas to various visual designs and applications, ranging from digital interfaces to physical products.
The hex color #0B4690, also known as Congress Blue, offers decent accessibility properties, but careful consideration is needed for its use, especially concerning text. Its relatively low lightness value of 0.05 makes it unsuitable as a background color for light text, as the contrast would be insufficient for readability. White text on a #0B4690 background may pass WCAG AA standards for large text (18pt or 14pt bold) with a contrast ratio of 4.5:1 or higher. However, it will likely fail contrast tests for normal text. It is advised to use it sparingly for decorative elements or graphical accents. When utilizing #0B4690, ensure sufficient contrast is provided by surrounding colors, particularly when dealing with textual content or interactive elements to ensure usability for individuals with visual impairments. Tools for contrast checking can assist in verifying accessibility compliance.
Shades
Digital Color Formats
Alternative colors
Applications
Web Design
In web design, #0B4690 can be used for headers, navigation bars, and button backgrounds to create a professional and trustworthy aesthetic. It's essential to pair it with lighter shades for text and interactive elements to ensure readability and usability. It can also be incorporated in data visualizations, such as charts and graphs, to represent different data sets or categories. This creates a sense of formality and trustworthiness, making it a strong choice for websites in the finance, legal, and government sectors. This color can also be used for hover effects.
Interior Design
In interior design, Congress Blue can be used as an accent wall color or for furniture pieces to add depth and sophistication to a room. It pairs well with neutral colors like white, gray, and beige, as well as metallic accents like gold and silver. For example, a living room with light gray walls can feature a navy blue sofa and gold-framed artwork to create a balanced and elegant space. The deep hue creates a sense of calmness and sophistication, making it suitable for bedrooms, studies, and living rooms.
Fashion
In fashion, #0B4690 can be used for dresses, suits, and accessories to create a classic and timeless look. It complements a variety of skin tones and can be dressed up or down depending on the occasion. It can also be combined with other colors like white, red, and yellow to create different styles and moods. For example, a navy blue blazer can be paired with white pants and a red scarf for a preppy and chic outfit, or with black trousers and a white shirt for a smart and professional look.