Preview the prompt +
# Build brief — an original marketing website in the taste of Canva
> Reference: https://www.canva.com · UIDiscovery: https://uidiscovery.com/sites/canva · captured 2026-09-22 at a 1440px desktop viewport (+ 390px iPhone shots) · [full page](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/canva/full.webp) · [scroll video](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/canva/preview.mp4)
## 1. Goal
Build an original marketing website for **[the user's brand]** that feels as considered as Canva — 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 Canva: structure, rhythm, hierarchy, palette mood and type pairing.
- Never reuse Canva'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
- Canva (canva.com): Marketing marketing website, light, serif.
- 7 sections: Hero → Features → Call to action → Footer.
- Spacing: long, content-rich sections (median ≈1030px tall at 1440).
- Hero headline: 5 words — short and punchy; keep yours under ~9.
- Type: Times headings over Times body. Imagery: mostly photography, some abstract 3D / gradient art.
## 4. Page structure (top to bottom)
### 1. Hero — state what the product is and for whom in one glance, and offer the primary action.
- Layout: headline-led stack: eyebrow → H1 → supporting line → actions, with a visual beside or below. About one full screen (982px at 1440), page background; 3 image/graphics; 3 buttons (tabs, toggles or per-card actions).
- Slots: Eyebrow / announcement pill (optional); H1 (~5 words, like the reference); Supporting line, 1–2 sentences; Primary + secondary action; Hero visual (see image plan).
- Topic (tone/length only — never reuse): “What will you design today?”
- [Screenshot](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/canva/s-01.webp) · imagery: slot 1
### 2. 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. Tall, ≈1.6 screens (1476px at 1440), page background; 11 images/icons (a set of cards or a small gallery); 8 buttons (tabs, toggles or per-card actions), 40 links (link lists / navigation); 6 headings → ~5 items under a title.
- Slots: Section title (~6 words, like the reference); 5 items: icon or visual + short title + 1–2 line description; Primary + secondary action.
- Topic (tone/length only — never reuse): “Tools to power your best work”
- [Screenshot](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/canva/s-02.webp) · imagery: slot 2
### 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. About one full screen (1030px at 1440), page background; 2 image/graphics; primary + secondary button; 3 headings → ~2 items under a title.
- Slots: Section title (~7 words, like the reference); 2 items: icon or visual + short title + 1–2 line description; Primary + secondary action.
- Topic (tone/length only — never reuse): “All the tools. All in one place.”
- [Screenshot](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/canva/s-03.webp) · imagery: slot 3
### 4. 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 (742px at 1440), page background; 1 image/graphic; primary + secondary button.
- Slots: Section title (~4 words, like the reference); 3 items: icon or visual + short title + 1–2 line description; Primary + secondary action.
- Topic (tone/length only — never reuse): “Templates for absolutely anything”
- [Screenshot](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/canva/s-04.webp) · imagery: slot 4
### 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. Tall, ≈1.6 screens (1445px at 1440), page background; 2 image/graphics; 8 text links instead of buttons; 5 headings → ~4 items under a title.
- Slots: Section title (~4 words, like the reference); 4 items: icon or visual + short title + 1–2 line description; Text link action.
- Topic (tone/length only — never reuse): “Unlock Canva’s creative ecosystem”
- [Screenshot](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/canva/s-05.webp) · imagery: slot 5
### 6. Call to action — close the page with one clear next step.
- Layout: short headline + one primary action on a contrasting band. Half to one screen (675px at 1440), page background; 1 image/graphic; one primary button.
- Slots: Headline (~3 words, like the reference); One sentence of support; One primary action.
- Topic (tone/length only — never reuse): “Start designing with”
- [Screenshot](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/canva/s-06.webp) · imagery: slot 6
### 7. Footer — navigation, legal and contact — the page's index.
- Layout: multi-column link groups, brand line, legal row. Tall, ≈1.6 screens (1420px at 1440), page background; 28 image elements (icons, logos, product UI — not 28 photos); 8 buttons (tabs, toggles or per-card actions), 237 links (link lists / navigation).
- Slots: Brand mark + one-line description; 3–5 link columns; Newsletter or contact (optional); Legal row + social icons.
- Topic (tone/length only — never reuse): “Download Canva for free”
- [Screenshot](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/canva/s-07.webp)
Inner pages also captured (Pricing, Product, Customers, Sign up, Log in, Docs, Enterprise, Contact, Shop, Security): https://uidiscovery.com/sites/canva?view=pages
## 5. Design system
### Colour
| Role | Hex | Use | Contrast on background |
|---|---|---|---|
| background | `#ffffff` | page background | — |
| foreground | `#000000` | body text, headings | 21.0:1 |
| accent | `#8b3dff` | primary buttons, links, highlights — sparingly | 5.0:1 |
| surface | `#ffffff` | cards, inputs, alternate bands | text on it 21.0:1 |
| muted | `#9e9eff` | secondary text, borders | 2.4:1 — borders / large text only |
Captured palette: `#ffffff` `#0f1015` `#000000` `#9e9eff` `#8b3dff` `#101219`. 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: #ffffff;
--foreground: #000000;
--accent: #8b3dff;
--surface: #ffffff;
--muted: #9e9eff;
--font-heading: "Source Serif 4", ui-serif, Georgia, 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: **Source Serif 4** (Google Fonts) — reference uses Times. Capture reported a generic serif — confirm the face from the screenshot.
- Body: **Inter** (Google Fonts) — reference uses Times. Capture reported the browser default (Times), which usually means the web font did not load during capture. Identify the real face from the screenshot; Inter is a safe neutral start.
- Scale (starting point, sizes weren't measured — calibrate against the 1440px screenshot): display clamp(2.75rem, 6vw, 5rem), 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.
- The serif headings are central to the tone — keep a serif display face even if you swap the family.
### Spacing & rhythm
Sections run ≈1030px tall at 1440 (median; range 675–1476px, captures cap at 1700px) — long, content-rich chapters. Start with 96–128px 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
Radii and shadows weren't measured. 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 4 section screenshots: mostly **photography**, some abstract 3D / gradient art (light, cool, Marketing). Still glance at the linked screenshots to match the exact mood.
### Slot 1 · 1. Hero → abstract 3D / gradient
- Abstract art — gradient, 3D or atmospheric graphics, seen in the capture. (measured from the screenshot) Count: a set of ~3 in one consistent style. Aspect: 16:9 full-bleed (or 21:9). Look first: [ref 1](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/canva/s-01.webp)
- **Stock** — “abstract gradient 3d”: [Unsplash](https://unsplash.com/s/photos/abstract-gradient-3d?orientation=landscape) · [Pexels](https://www.pexels.com/search/abstract%20gradient%203d/?orientation=landscape) · [Pixabay](https://pixabay.com/images/search/abstract%20gradient%203d/?orientation=horizontal)
- **Generate** — `Abstract 3D render: soft, matte clay shapes and a smooth gradient in #8b3dff and #9e9eff on a #ffffff 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.`
### Slot 2 · 2. Features → photography
- Photography, seen in the capture (people). (measured from the screenshot) Count: a set of ~11 in one consistent style. Aspect: 4:3. Look first: [ref 1](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/canva/s-02.webp)
- **Stock** — “3d glass shapes render”: [Unsplash](https://unsplash.com/s/photos/3d-glass-shapes-render?orientation=landscape) · [Pexels](https://www.pexels.com/search/3d%20glass%20shapes%20render/?orientation=landscape) · [Pixabay](https://pixabay.com/images/search/3d%20glass%20shapes%20render/?orientation=horizontal)
- **Generate** — `Photograph: 3d glass shapes render. 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 #ffffff, #8b3dff. 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 3 · 3. Features → photography
- Photography, seen in the capture (people). (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/canva/s-03.webp)
- **Stock** — “minimal desk with laptop”: [Unsplash](https://unsplash.com/s/photos/minimal-desk-with-laptop?orientation=landscape) · [Pexels](https://www.pexels.com/search/minimal%20desk%20with%20laptop/?orientation=landscape) · [Pixabay](https://pixabay.com/images/search/minimal%20desk%20with%20laptop/?orientation=horizontal)
- **Generate** — `Photograph: minimal desk with laptop. 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 #ffffff, #8b3dff. 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 · 4. Features → product UI (uncertain)
- Marketing features with 1 image elements — most likely product UI screenshots/mockups plus icons. Count: 1. Aspect: 4:3. Look first: [ref 1](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/canva/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 #ffffff to #ffffff with a soft #8b3dff 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 5 · 5. Features → photography
- Photography, seen in the capture (people). (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/canva/s-05.webp)
- **Stock** — “3d glass shapes render close up”: [Unsplash](https://unsplash.com/s/photos/3d-glass-shapes-render-close-up?orientation=landscape) · [Pexels](https://www.pexels.com/search/3d%20glass%20shapes%20render%20close%20up/?orientation=landscape) · [Pixabay](https://pixabay.com/images/search/3d%20glass%20shapes%20render%20close%20up/?orientation=horizontal)
- **Generate** — `Photograph: 3d glass shapes render 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 #ffffff, #8b3dff. 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 6 · 6. Call to action → illustration (uncertain)
- Light Marketing section with a few graphics — illustration, icon art or a product shot. Count: 1. Aspect: 21:9 (background). Look first: [ref 1](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/canva/s-06.webp)
- **Stock** — “technology flat illustration”: [Unsplash](https://unsplash.com/s/photos/technology-flat-illustration?orientation=landscape) · [Pexels](https://www.pexels.com/search/technology%20flat%20illustration/?orientation=landscape) · [Pixabay](https://pixabay.com/images/search/technology%20flat%20illustration/?orientation=horizontal)
- **Generate** — `Flat vector illustration: abstract gradient mesh, friendly simplified shapes, limited palette of #ffffff, #8b3dff plus one soft neutral, plenty of empty background, consistent line weight, cool mood. Aspect ratio 21:9. No text, no letters, no logos, no watermarks, no brand marks or trademarked products, no recognisable real people.`
- Uncertain: this could equally be photography, a product shot or icon art — open the reference screenshots and match what you see.
- **Icons** — 7. Footer: 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.
- **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).
---
More: tokens https://uidiscovery.com/api/v1/sites/canva/tokens · kit https://uidiscovery.com/api/v1/sites/canva/kit · MCP `get_design_brief({ slug: "canva" })`, `get_image_plan({ slug: "canva" })`. Cite the reference as https://uidiscovery.com/sites/canva.
