---
title: Event Overlay Card
date: 2023-12-17T12:26:00-08:00
author: Josh Magness
canonical_url: "https://designsystem.umd.edu/components/event-overlay-card"
section: Components
---
# Event Overlay Card

The Event Overlay Card promotes events in groups. It is a visual component that can have a standard or staggered layout.
Use in groups of 2 or more to show multiple events in a standard or staggered layout
## Dos
- Use to spotlight 2 or more events
## Don'ts
- Don’t use images containing text
- Don’t use low-resolution or low-quality images
## Variations

[View component playground: Event Overlay Card](https://playground.designsystem.umd.edu/?path=/story/components-events-event-overlay-card--event-overlay-card)

## Accessibility

### Built in accessibility

**Keyboard Accessible**
Users are able to use the keyboard to navigate through focusable content, using the ‘Tab’ key to navigate/focus and ‘Enter’ or ‘Spacebar’ to activate.WCAG 2.1.1: Keyboard This navigation is done in sequential and logical order. WCAG 2.4.3: Focus Order

**Hover and Focus State**
Actionable items each have distinctive styling on hover/focus to provide a visual cue to the user that the element is focused and there is an action that can be taken. WCAG 1.4.13: Content on hover or focus

**Color Contrast**
A contrast ratio of at least 4:5:1 between text and background color is ensured to enhance readability. The overlay card has an image tint overlaying the image to maintain this contrast ratio. WCAG 1.4.3: Contrast (minimum)

**Responsive Design**
The component scales in relation to the to the screen size to prevent truncating content and reflows properly when zoomed up to 200% without horizontal scrolling WCAG 1.4.10: Reflow

**Consistency**
Styles are applied to the card consistently including line height, font style, weight, spacing and color of text. The heights of cards are maintained consistently when cards are grouped together in a row. This provides balance and allows for greater readability. WCAG 1.4.12: Text Spacing 

### Requirements for use

**Image**
Provide effective alt text of the image that is concise and relevant. Avoid phrases like “image of” since screen readers often already announce the type of element. WCAG 1.1: Text AlternativesDo not use an image to present text. True text should be used whenever possible, as it supports translation, is searchable, and is easier to maintain and customize. WCAG 1.4.5: Images of Text

**Title**
Use a clear and concise title that describes the card content WCAG 2.4.6: Headings and Labels

**Body Text**
Write body text in clear and simple language. WCAG: 3.1.5: Reading Level Use descriptive link text for inline-links. WCAG 2.4.4: Link Purpose (In Context) 

**Link**
Use effective text to describe what the link is and where it is taking the user. This should be clear, descriptive text that conveys the link content succinctly and the purpose and destination of the link. WCAG 2.4.9: Link Purpose (Link Only)Example of effective text (preferred): Learn more about Innovate MarylandExample of generic text (avoid): Learn moreDisclaimer: If the visible link text is not sufficiently descriptive, you can use an aria-label attribute to provide additional context for screen reader users. The aria-label should clearly describe the link's purpose and destination.If the visible text is not necessary for screen readers (e.g., it's redundant or less descriptive), consider using aria-hidden="true" on the visible text element. This ensures that screen readers will prioritize the aria-label.Example with aria-label and aria-hidden:<a href="https://example.com/innovate-maryland" aria-label="Learn more about Innovate Maryland"> 
  <span aria-hidden="true">Learn more</span> 
</a> This ensures that the link is accessible while maintaining concise visible text.

## Content

Recommended character limitsReduce the number of characters if the title and text block obscure a significant portion of the image. Character limits are enforced.
| Title | 40 characters (80 max)* | 
| Text Block | 120 characters (240 max)* | 
## Layout

[View Figma design: Event - CTA](https://www.figma.com/file/YqgNlOMETaJbcI67sv8HUp/Downloadable-Components-File?type=design&node-id=143%3A20717&mode=design&t=P21nxkNUofHOgeBu-1)

## Guidelines

Image aspect ratio will be enforcedIf summary text is included, it should be limited to 3 linesBest in groups of 2. May be stacked - maximum 8 in series or 4 rows

## Animation

Hover state: Titles are underlined. See Overlay Card: Image scales up to about 105%. Image gradient fades from 100% to 60% (lightens).