Icon Card

The Icon Card uses an icon to represent a single subject or idea. It can be used as an alternative to another card type to add variety to a page.

Dos

Use 2 or more cards

This component may be stacked, but avoid more than 5 rows

Use when images are not available or appropriate but you need a visual element

Don'ts

Don’t use with large amounts of text in the title or text block

Variations

Default version of the icon card is light. Dark may be used if more appropriate to the site theme or if needed to break up space.

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Accessibility

Keyboard Accessible

Users are able to use the keyboard to navigate through focusable content including headline with a link and call to action link, 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

A headline with a link and call to action link 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 WCAG 1.4.3: Contrast (minimum)

Responsive

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

Consistent

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

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 Maryland
Example of generic text (avoid): Learn more

Disclaimer: 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 limits

Consider modifying the number of characters if the title or text block obscure the icon.

Title

20 characters (40 max)

Text Block

50 characters (100 max)

Available Icons

Downloadable Icons: Download ready-to-go icons for Icon Cards.

Layout

Animation

Hover state: Titles are underlined.