Preview the prompt +
# Build brief — an original marketing website in the taste of Codecademy
> Reference: https://www.codecademy.com · UIDiscovery: https://uidiscovery.com/sites/codecademy · captured 2026-09-22 at a 1440px desktop viewport (+ 390px iPhone shots) · [full page](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/codecademy/full.png) · [scroll video](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/codecademy/preview.mp4)
## 1. Goal
Build an original marketing website for **[the user's brand]** that feels as considered as Codecademy — 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 Codecademy: structure, rhythm, hierarchy, palette mood and type pairing.
- Never reuse Codecademy'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
- Codecademy (codecademy.com): Education marketing website, dark.
- 6 sections: Features.
- Spacing: long, content-rich sections (median ≈1210px tall at 1440).
- Type: one family (Apercu). Imagery: mostly 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. Compact band (354px at 1440), own dark band #0a0d1c; 8 images/icons (a set of cards or a small gallery); 1 text link instead of buttons.
- Slots: Section title (~4 words, like the reference); 8 items: icon or visual + short title + 1–2 line description; Text link action.
- Topic (tone/length only — never reuse): “Live Bootcamps and Workshops”
- [Screenshot](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/codecademy/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, ≈1.3 screens (1210px at 1440), page background; 37 image elements (photo collage/gallery + small graphics); one primary button, 34 links (link lists / navigation).
- Slots: Section title (~5 words, like the reference); 3 items: icon or visual + short title + 1–2 line description; One primary action.
- Topic (tone/length only — never reuse): “Build skills that stand out”
- [Screenshot](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/codecademy/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. Half to one screen (544px at 1440), page background; 2 image/graphics; 1 text link instead of buttons.
- Slots: Section title (~5 words, like the reference); 2 items: icon or visual + short title + 1–2 line description; Text link action.
- Topic (tone/length only — never reuse): “Technical training for your team”
- [Screenshot](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/codecademy/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 (763px at 1440), page background; 7 images/icons (a set of cards or a small gallery); inline form (1 field, e.g. email capture), 7 text links instead of buttons.
- Slots: Section title (~9 words, like the reference); 2 items: icon or visual + short title + 1–2 line description; Text link action.
- Topic (tone/length only — never reuse): “No matter your goal, we have something for you”
- [Screenshot](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/codecademy/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, ≈1.9 screens (1700px at 1440), page background; 12 images/icons (a set of cards or a small gallery); 4 buttons (tabs, toggles or per-card actions).
- Slots: Section title (~3 words, like the reference); 9 items: icon or visual + short title + 1–2 line description; Primary + secondary action.
- Topic (tone/length only — never reuse): “Designed for progress”
- [Screenshot](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/codecademy/s-05.webp) · imagery: slot 5
### 6. 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, ≈1.9 screens (1700px at 1440), page background; 16 image elements (photo collage/gallery + small graphics); 4 buttons (tabs, toggles or per-card actions).
- Slots: Section title (~3 words, like the reference); 3 items: icon or visual + short title + 1–2 line description; Primary + secondary action.
- Topic (tone/length only — never reuse): “Learn by doing”
- [Screenshot](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/codecademy/s-07.webp) · imagery: slot 6
Inner pages also captured (Pricing, Sign up, Log in, Blog, Docs, Enterprise, Careers, Shop): https://uidiscovery.com/sites/codecademy?view=pages
## 5. Design system
### Colour
| Role | Hex | Use | Contrast on background |
|---|---|---|---|
| background | `#000000` | page background | — |
| foreground | `#ffffff` | body text, headings | 21.0:1 |
| accent | `#ffd300` | primary buttons, links, highlights — sparingly | 14.6:1 |
| surface | `#0a0d1c` | cards, inputs, alternate bands | text on it 19.3:1 |
| muted | `#484848` | secondary text, borders | 2.3:1 — borders / large text only |
Captured palette: `#000000` `#ffffff` `#10162f` `#ffd300` `#0a0d1c` `#484848`. Section bands top→bottom: `#0a0d1c` → `#000000`. Roles are assigned automatically — sanity-check them against the screenshot. Keep the palette's *mood* (dark, warm) and proportions; swap the accent for the user's brand colour.
### Tokens
```css
:root {
--background: #000000;
--foreground: #ffffff;
--accent: #ffd300;
--surface: #0a0d1c;
--muted: #484848;
--font-heading: "DM Sans", ui-sans-serif, system-ui, sans-serif;
--font-body: "DM Sans", 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: **DM Sans** (Google Fonts) — reference uses Apercu. “Apercu” is a licensed face — use DM Sans (or Plus Jakarta Sans) as the free stand-in, or license the original.
- 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 ≈1210px tall at 1440 (median; range 354–1700px, 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. The background changes 1 time down the page — use band changes to mark chapters. 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. Dark-first; for a light mode swap background ↔ foreground, lighten the surface, keep the accent and re-check contrast.
## 6. Imagery plan
Measured from 3 section screenshots: mostly **photography** (dark, warm, Education). Still glance at the linked screenshots to match the exact mood.
### Slot 1 · 1. Features → photography
- Photography, seen in the capture (people, adult, clothing). (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/codecademy/s-01.webp)
- **Stock** — “students studying together dark”: [Unsplash](https://unsplash.com/s/photos/students-studying-together-dark?orientation=landscape) · [Pexels](https://www.pexels.com/search/students%20studying%20together%20dark/?orientation=landscape) · [Pixabay](https://pixabay.com/images/search/students%20studying%20together%20dark/?orientation=horizontal)
- **Generate** — `Photograph: students studying together. Composition: tight crop, identical framing and background across the whole set. Lighting: low-key, moody directional light with deep shadows. Warm colour grade that sits on #0a0d1c, #ffd300. 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 · 2. Features → photography (uncertain)
- Education references lean on photography; 37 elements suggests icons/thumbnails mixed in. Count: a collage of several photos with one consistent colour grade. Aspect: 4:3. Look first: [ref 1](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/codecademy/s-02.webp)
- **Stock** — “notebook and laptop on desk dark”: [Unsplash](https://unsplash.com/s/photos/notebook-and-laptop-on-desk-dark?orientation=landscape) · [Pexels](https://www.pexels.com/search/notebook%20and%20laptop%20on%20desk%20dark/?orientation=landscape) · [Pixabay](https://pixabay.com/images/search/notebook%20and%20laptop%20on%20desk%20dark/?orientation=horizontal)
- **Generate** — `Photograph: notebook and laptop on desk. Composition: tight crop, identical framing and background across the whole set. Lighting: low-key, moody directional light with deep shadows. Warm colour grade that sits on #000000, #ffd300, #0a0d1c. 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/codecademy/s-03.webp)
- **Stock** — “library bookshelf light dark”: [Unsplash](https://unsplash.com/s/photos/library-bookshelf-light-dark?orientation=landscape) · [Pexels](https://www.pexels.com/search/library%20bookshelf%20light%20dark/?orientation=landscape) · [Pixabay](https://pixabay.com/images/search/library%20bookshelf%20light%20dark/?orientation=horizontal)
- **Generate** — `Photograph: library bookshelf light. Composition: tight crop, identical framing and background across the whole set. Lighting: low-key, moody directional light with deep shadows. Warm colour grade that sits on #000000, #ffd300, #0a0d1c. 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 → photography
- Education references lean on photography. Count: a set of ~7 in one consistent style. Aspect: 4:3. Look first: [ref 1](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/codecademy/s-04.webp)
- **Stock** — “students studying together close up dark”: [Unsplash](https://unsplash.com/s/photos/students-studying-together-close-up-dark?orientation=landscape) · [Pexels](https://www.pexels.com/search/students%20studying%20together%20close%20up%20dark/?orientation=landscape) · [Pixabay](https://pixabay.com/images/search/students%20studying%20together%20close%20up%20dark/?orientation=horizontal)
- **Generate** — `Photograph: students studying together close up. Composition: tight crop, identical framing and background across the whole set. Lighting: low-key, moody directional light with deep shadows. Warm colour grade that sits on #000000, #ffd300, #0a0d1c. 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 · 5. Features → photography
- Photography, seen in the capture (people). (measured from the screenshot) Count: a set of ~12 in one consistent style. Aspect: 4:3. Look first: [ref 1](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/codecademy/s-05.webp)
- **Stock** — “notebook and laptop on desk close up dark”: [Unsplash](https://unsplash.com/s/photos/notebook-and-laptop-on-desk-close-up-dark?orientation=landscape) · [Pexels](https://www.pexels.com/search/notebook%20and%20laptop%20on%20desk%20close%20up%20dark/?orientation=landscape) · [Pixabay](https://pixabay.com/images/search/notebook%20and%20laptop%20on%20desk%20close%20up%20dark/?orientation=horizontal)
- **Generate** — `Photograph: notebook and laptop on desk close up. Composition: tight crop, identical framing and background across the whole set. Lighting: low-key, moody directional light with deep shadows. Warm colour grade that sits on #000000, #ffd300, #0a0d1c. 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. Features → photography
- Education references lean on photography. Count: a collage of several photos with one consistent colour grade. Aspect: 4:3. Look first: [ref 1](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/codecademy/s-07.webp)
- **Stock** — “library bookshelf light close up dark”: [Unsplash](https://unsplash.com/s/photos/library-bookshelf-light-close-up-dark?orientation=landscape) · [Pexels](https://www.pexels.com/search/library%20bookshelf%20light%20close%20up%20dark/?orientation=landscape) · [Pixabay](https://pixabay.com/images/search/library%20bookshelf%20light%20close%20up%20dark/?orientation=horizontal)
- **Generate** — `Photograph: library bookshelf light close up. Composition: tight crop, identical framing and background across the whole set. Lighting: low-key, moody directional light with deep shadows. Warm colour grade that sits on #000000, #ffd300, #0a0d1c. 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.`
### 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, glossy glass-like shapes and a smooth gradient in #ffd300 and #484848 on a #000000 background. Lighting: low-key, moody directional light with deep shadows; warm tone. Minimal and calm, generous negative space on one side for text. Aspect ratio 3:2. No text, no letters, no logos, no watermarks, no brand marks or trademarked products, no recognisable real people.` · stock: [“abstract dark gradient 3d” on Unsplash](https://unsplash.com/s/photos/abstract-dark-gradient-3d?orientation=landscape) (same query works on Pexels/Pixabay)
- **illustration** — generate `Flat vector illustration: students studying together, friendly simplified shapes, limited palette of #0a0d1c, #ffd300 plus one soft neutral, plenty of empty background, consistent line weight, warm mood. Aspect ratio 3:2. 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).
---
More: tokens https://uidiscovery.com/api/v1/sites/codecademy/tokens · kit https://uidiscovery.com/api/v1/sites/codecademy/kit · MCP `get_design_brief({ slug: "codecademy" })`, `get_image_plan({ slug: "codecademy" })`. Cite the reference as https://uidiscovery.com/sites/codecademy.
