Blinkist — Best Book Summaries & Audio Book Guides

# Build brief — an original marketing website in the taste of Blinkist

> Reference: https://www.blinkist.com · UIDiscovery: https://uidiscovery.com/sites/blinkist · captured 2026-09-22 at a 1440px desktop viewport (+ 390px iPhone shots) · [full page](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/blinkist/full.webp) · [scroll video](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/blinkist/preview.mp4)

## 1. Goal
Build an original marketing website for **[the user's brand]** that feels as considered as Blinkist — same structure, rhythm and polish, entirely new identity and content.

## 2. Originality rules
- Build an ORIGINAL design for the user's own brand in the same *taste* as Blinkist: structure, rhythm, hierarchy, palette mood and type pairing.
- Never reuse Blinkist's logo, name, product imagery, illustrations, icons, screenshots or copy. Write new copy for the user's product.
- If the user hasn't said what their product is, ask first (or use clearly marked placeholders like [Brand], [Product], [Audience]).
- Reference screenshots are for looking at, not for embedding or tracing.

## 3. The taste, in short
- Blinkist (blinkist.com): Education marketing website, light, colorful.
- 9 sections: Features → Content → Features → Content → Features → Stats → Features → Showcase → FAQ.
- Spacing: short, dense bands (median section ≈378px).
- Type: one family (Cera PRO). Imagery: mostly typography with little or no imagery, some photography.

## 4. Page structure (top to bottom)

### 1. Features — explain the key benefits, grouped so each can be scanned in seconds.
- Layout: section title over a grid or alternating rows of benefit items. About one full screen (858px at 1440), page background; 10 images/icons (a set of cards or a small gallery); one primary button; 4 headings → ~3 items under a title.
- Slots: Section title (~6 words, like the reference); 3 items: icon or visual + short title + 1–2 line description; One primary action.
- Topic (tone/length only — never reuse): “Understand key ideas in 15 minutes”
- [Screenshot](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/blinkist/s-02.webp) · imagery: slot 1

### 2. Content — supporting content that deepens one idea.
- Layout: text + media block. Compact band (378px at 1440), page background; 12 images/icons (a set of cards or a small gallery); 1 text link instead of buttons.
- Slots: Heading; Body copy; Supporting visual (see image plan); Text link action.
- [Screenshot](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/blinkist/s-03.webp)

### 3. Features — explain the key benefits, grouped so each can be scanned in seconds.
- Layout: section title over a grid or alternating rows of benefit items. Half to one screen (712px at 1440), page background; 8 images/icons (a set of cards or a small gallery); primary + secondary button; 4 headings → ~3 items under a title.
- Slots: Section title (~5 words, like the reference); 3 items: icon or visual + short title + 1–2 line description; Primary + secondary action.
- Topic (tone/length only — never reuse): “How will you level up?”
- [Screenshot](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/blinkist/s-04.webp) · imagery: slot 2

### 4. Content — supporting content that deepens one idea.
- Layout: text + media block. Compact band (161px at 1440), page background; no images (type-led); one primary button.
- Slots: Heading (~7 words, like the reference); Body copy; One primary action.
- Topic (tone/length only — never reuse): “Join 31+ million people growing with Blinkistⓘ”
- [Screenshot](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/blinkist/s-05.webp)

### 5. Features — explain the key benefits, grouped so each can be scanned in seconds.
- Layout: section title over a grid or alternating rows of benefit items. Compact band (364px at 1440), page background; 27 image elements (photo collage/gallery + small graphics); no interactive controls; 3 headings → ~2 items under a title.
- Slots: Section title (~3 words, like the reference); 2 items: icon or visual + short title + 1–2 line description.
- Topic (tone/length only — never reuse): “Upskillers”
- [Screenshot](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/blinkist/s-06.webp) · imagery: slot 3

### 6. Stats — prove scale or impact with a few big numbers.
- Layout: 3–4 large numerals with short labels in a row. Compact band (258px at 1440), page background; no images (type-led); 1 text link instead of buttons.
- Slots: 3–4 numbers with short labels; Source/footnote if claims need it.
- [Screenshot](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/blinkist/s-07.webp)

### 7. Features — explain the key benefits, grouped so each can be scanned in seconds.
- Layout: section title over a grid or alternating rows of benefit items. Compact band (184px at 1440), page background; 2 image/graphics; no interactive controls.
- Slots: Section title (~6 words, like the reference); 2 items: icon or visual + short title + 1–2 line description.
- Topic (tone/length only — never reuse): “Trusted by the world's leading brands”
- [Screenshot](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/blinkist/s-08.webp) · imagery: slot 4

### 8. Showcase — show the product (or the result) itself as proof.
- Layout: a large framed visual with a short caption or heading. Half to one screen (461px at 1440), page background; 10 images/icons (a set of cards or a small gallery); no interactive controls.
- Slots: Heading (~3 words, like the reference); Body copy; Supporting visual (see image plan).
- Topic (tone/length only — never reuse): “Driving”
- [Screenshot](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/blinkist/s-09.webp) · imagery: slot 5

### 9. FAQ — remove the last objections before the call to action.
- Layout: question list with disclosure (accordion), often two columns on desktop. Half to one screen (679px at 1440), page background; 7 images/icons (a set of cards or a small gallery); 7 buttons (tabs, toggles or per-card actions); 6 headings → ~5 items under a title.
- Slots: Title; 5 question/answer pairs; Link to support/contact.
- Topic (tone/length only — never reuse): “Do you have any questions?”
- [Screenshot](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/blinkist/s-10.webp)

Inner pages also captured (Pricing, About, Enterprise, Careers, Security): https://uidiscovery.com/sites/blinkist?view=pages

## 5. Design system
### Colour
| Role | Hex | Use | Contrast on background |
|---|---|---|---|
| background | `#eff5f3` | page background | — |
| foreground | `#000000` | body text, headings | 19.0:1 |
| accent | `#033049` | primary buttons, links, highlights — sparingly | 12.5:1 |
| surface | `#fff3d6` | cards, inputs, alternate bands | text on it 19.0:1 |
| muted | `#2ee081` | secondary text, borders | 1.6:1 — borders / large text only |

Captured palette: `#eff5f3` `#2ee081` `#033049` `#3b474a` `#fff3d6` `#000000`. Roles are assigned automatically — sanity-check them against the screenshot. Keep the palette's *mood* (light, cool) and proportions; swap the accent for the user's brand colour.

### Tokens
```css
:root {
  --background: #eff5f3;
  --foreground: #000000;
  --accent: #033049;
  --surface: #fff3d6;
  --muted: #2ee081;
  --font-heading: "Inter", ui-sans-serif, system-ui, sans-serif;
  --font-body: "Inter", ui-sans-serif, system-ui, sans-serif;
  --radius: 12px; /* calibrate from the screenshot */
}

/* Tailwind v4 — in globals.css after @import "tailwindcss"; */
@theme {
  --color-background: var(--background);
  --color-foreground: var(--foreground);
  --color-accent: var(--accent);
  --color-surface: var(--surface);
  --color-muted: var(--muted);
  --font-heading: var(--font-heading);
  --font-sans: var(--font-body);
}
```

### Typography
- Headings: **Inter** (Google Fonts) — reference uses Cera PRO. “Cera PRO” is likely a custom or licensed face. Inter is a neutral stand-in — pick a closer free match by eye from the screenshot.
- Body: same family — a single-family system; create contrast with size and weight, not a second face.
- Scale (starting point, sizes weren't measured — calibrate against the 1440px screenshot): display clamp(2.5rem, 5vw, 4.25rem), h2 clamp(1.75rem, 3vw, 2.5rem), h3 1.25rem, body 1rem–1.125rem / 1.6, small 0.875rem. Headings: tight tracking (-0.02em), line-height 1.05–1.15.

### Spacing & rhythm
Sections run ≈378px tall at 1440 (median; range 161–858px, captures cap at 1700px) — short, dense bands. Start with 64–80px vertical padding per section on desktop and about two-thirds of that on mobile. One continuous background — separate sections with space and type, not colour bands. 8px spacing grid, 1200–1280px max content width, 24px (mobile) / 32–48px (desktop) gutters.

### Shape, depth & theme
Confident colour blocks — let full-bleed colour bands and big shapes carry the personality. Read exact corner radius, border and shadow treatment from the screenshots. Light-first; for a dark mode use a near-black (not #000) background, ~90% white text, lift surfaces with lightness not shadow, re-check the accent.

## 6. Imagery plan

Measured from 7 section screenshots: mostly **typography with little or no imagery**, some photography (light, cool, Education). Still glance at the linked screenshots to match the exact mood.

### Slot 1 · 1. Features → photography
- Education references lean on photography. Count: a set of ~10 in one consistent style. Aspect: 4:3. Look first: [ref 1](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/blinkist/s-02.webp)
- **Stock** — “students studying together”: [Unsplash](https://unsplash.com/s/photos/students-studying-together?orientation=landscape) · [Pexels](https://www.pexels.com/search/students%20studying%20together/?orientation=landscape) · [Pixabay](https://pixabay.com/images/search/students%20studying%20together/?orientation=horizontal)
- **Generate** — `Photograph: students studying together. Composition: tight crop, identical framing and background across the whole set. Lighting: soft natural daylight, airy and high-key. Cool colour grade that sits on #eff5f3, #033049, #fff3d6. Photorealistic, natural textures, shallow depth of field, 35mm lens. Aspect ratio 4:3. No text, no letters, no logos, no watermarks, no brand marks or trademarked products, no recognisable real people.`

### Slot 2 · 3. Features → product UI
- Product UI — screenshots or mockups of the app, seen in the capture. (measured from the screenshot) Count: a set of ~8 in one consistent style. Aspect: 4:3. Look first: [ref 1](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/blinkist/s-04.webp)
- **Stock** — “laptop blank screen minimal desk”: [Unsplash](https://unsplash.com/s/photos/laptop-blank-screen-minimal-desk?orientation=landscape) · [Pexels](https://www.pexels.com/search/laptop%20blank%20screen%20minimal%20desk/?orientation=landscape) · [Pixabay](https://pixabay.com/images/search/laptop%20blank%20screen%20minimal%20desk/?orientation=horizontal)
- **Generate** — `Product-shot backdrop for a UI screenshot: smooth light gradient from #eff5f3 to #fff3d6 with a soft #033049 glow behind the centre, subtle floor shadow, empty centre area where a screenshot will be placed. Lighting: soft natural daylight, airy and high-key. Aspect ratio 4:3. No text, no letters, no logos, no watermarks, no brand marks or trademarked products, no recognisable real people. No UI elements.`
- Build the UI itself in HTML/CSS with realistic sample data from YOUR product (or screenshot your real app). Don't generate UI as an image and don't reuse the reference's screenshots. Stock/AI is only for the backdrop or device frame.

### Slot 3 · 5. Features → photography
- Photography, seen in the capture (people). (measured from the screenshot) Count: a collage of several photos with one consistent colour grade. Aspect: 4:3. Look first: [ref 1](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/blinkist/s-06.webp)
- **Stock** — “notebook and laptop on desk close up”: [Unsplash](https://unsplash.com/s/photos/notebook-and-laptop-on-desk-close-up?orientation=landscape) · [Pexels](https://www.pexels.com/search/notebook%20and%20laptop%20on%20desk%20close%20up/?orientation=landscape) · [Pixabay](https://pixabay.com/images/search/notebook%20and%20laptop%20on%20desk%20close%20up/?orientation=horizontal)
- **Generate** — `Photograph: notebook and laptop on desk close up. Composition: tight crop, identical framing and background across the whole set. Lighting: soft natural daylight, airy and high-key. Cool colour grade that sits on #eff5f3, #033049, #fff3d6. Photorealistic, natural textures, shallow depth of field, 35mm lens. Aspect ratio 4:3. No text, no letters, no logos, no watermarks, no brand marks or trademarked products, no recognisable real people.`

### Slot 4 · 7. Features → photography
- Photography, seen in the capture (blue sky). (measured from the screenshot) Count: a set of ~2 in one consistent style. Aspect: 4:3. Look first: [ref 1](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/blinkist/s-08.webp)
- **Stock** — “students studying together wide shot”: [Unsplash](https://unsplash.com/s/photos/students-studying-together-wide-shot?orientation=landscape) · [Pexels](https://www.pexels.com/search/students%20studying%20together%20wide%20shot/?orientation=landscape) · [Pixabay](https://pixabay.com/images/search/students%20studying%20together%20wide%20shot/?orientation=horizontal)
- **Generate** — `Photograph: students studying together wide shot. Composition: tight crop, identical framing and background across the whole set. Lighting: soft natural daylight, airy and high-key. Cool colour grade that sits on #eff5f3, #033049, #fff3d6. Photorealistic, natural textures, shallow depth of field, 35mm lens. Aspect ratio 4:3. No text, no letters, no logos, no watermarks, no brand marks or trademarked products, no recognisable real people.`

### Slot 5 · 8. Showcase → photography
- Photography, seen in the capture (people). (measured from the screenshot) Count: a set of ~10 in one consistent style. Aspect: 16:10. Look first: [ref 1](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/blinkist/s-09.webp)
- **Stock** — “notebook and laptop on desk wide shot”: [Unsplash](https://unsplash.com/s/photos/notebook-and-laptop-on-desk-wide-shot?orientation=landscape) · [Pexels](https://www.pexels.com/search/notebook%20and%20laptop%20on%20desk%20wide%20shot/?orientation=landscape) · [Pixabay](https://pixabay.com/images/search/notebook%20and%20laptop%20on%20desk%20wide%20shot/?orientation=horizontal)
- **Generate** — `Photograph: notebook and laptop on desk wide shot. Composition: centred subject with even space around it. Lighting: soft natural daylight, airy and high-key. Cool colour grade that sits on #eff5f3, #033049, #fff3d6. Photorealistic, natural textures, shallow depth of field, 35mm lens. Aspect ratio 16:10. No text, no letters, no logos, no watermarks, no brand marks or trademarked products, no recognisable real people.`

- **No imagery (type-led)** — 2. Content, 4. Content, 6. Stats: No imagery needed — type, spacing and colour do the work. If the screenshot shows a background graphic, rebuild it in CSS (gradient, grid, noise) or a short muted video, not a stock photo.
- **Icons** — 9. FAQ: Use one open-source icon set at one stroke weight — Lucide, Phosphor or Heroicons (MIT) — tinted with the text or accent token. Social icons: Simple Icons.

### If the screenshots show a different style
Open the refs first and name what you actually see (photo / product UI / illustration / abstract gradient or 3D / type only). If it differs from the guess, switch routes — UI is built in code, type-only needs no image, otherwise:
- **abstract 3D / gradient** — generate `Abstract 3D render: soft, matte clay shapes and a smooth gradient in #033049 and #2ee081 on a #eff5f3 background. Lighting: soft natural daylight, airy and high-key; cool tone. Minimal and calm, generous negative space on one side for text. Aspect ratio 16:9. No text, no letters, no logos, no watermarks, no brand marks or trademarked products, no recognisable real people.` · stock: [“abstract gradient 3d” on Unsplash](https://unsplash.com/s/photos/abstract-gradient-3d?orientation=landscape) (same query works on Pexels/Pixabay)
- **illustration** — generate `Flat vector illustration: students studying together, friendly simplified shapes, limited palette of #eff5f3, #033049, #fff3d6 plus one soft neutral, plenty of empty background, consistent line weight, cool mood. Aspect ratio 16:9. No text, no letters, no logos, no watermarks, no brand marks or trademarked products, no recognisable real people.` · stock: [“education flat illustration” on Unsplash](https://unsplash.com/s/photos/education-flat-illustration?orientation=landscape) (same query works on Pexels/Pixabay)

- **Licences:** Unsplash and Pexels images are free for commercial use under their own licences; Pixabay under the Pixabay Content License. Check each image's page before use, credit the photographer when asked (good practice anyway), and skip images showing logos, trademarks, branded products or identifiable people without a release.
- **AI generation:** the prompts work with any image model (GPT Image, Imagen, Flux, Midjourney, Firefly, SDXL…) — check its commercial-use terms. Never put the reference brand's name or “in the style of <brand>” in a prompt.
- **Never** download, trace or re-host the reference's own images, illustrations, product shots or logos.

## 7. Build steps
1. Confirm brand, product, audience and the primary action with the user.
2. Set up the tokens (CSS variables / Tailwind @theme) and load the fonts.
3. Build the sections in order, mobile-first, with each reference screenshot open.
4. Write original copy for every slot — match length and tone, never the words.
5. Source every image via the imagery plan (stock or generated); compress it and record credits.
6. Run the checklist at 390 / 768 / 1440px and fix what fails.

## 8. Acceptance checklist
- [ ] Responsive at 390px, 768px and 1440px — no horizontal scroll, tap targets ≥ 44px on mobile.
- [ ] Colour contrast WCAG AA: 4.5:1 body text, 3:1 large text and UI; visible focus states; full keyboard navigation.
- [ ] Semantic HTML: one <h1>, ordered headings, landmarks (header/nav/main/footer), labelled form fields, alt text on meaningful images.
- [ ] Performance: modern image formats with width/height set, lazy-load below the fold, ≤ 2 font families with font-display: swap, LCP < 2.5s.
- [ ] prefers-reduced-motion respected; animations under ~300ms and never blocking content.
- [ ] Originality: no copied logos, images, illustrations or copy from the reference; every image licensed or generated; credits recorded.

## 9. If you use Next.js + Tailwind
Paste the @theme block into globals.css, load fonts with next/font/google, make each section a server component in components/sections/, use next/image with explicit sizes, and keep client components for interactive bits only (menus, toggles, accordions).

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More: tokens https://uidiscovery.com/api/v1/sites/blinkist/tokens · kit https://uidiscovery.com/api/v1/sites/blinkist/kit · MCP `get_design_brief({ slug: "blinkist" })`, `get_image_plan({ slug: "blinkist" })`. Cite the reference as https://uidiscovery.com/sites/blinkist.