Preview the prompt +
# Build brief — an original marketing website in the taste of Contra Labs
> Reference: https://contralabs.com · UIDiscovery: https://uidiscovery.com/sites/contra-labs · captured 2026-09-23 at a 1440px desktop viewport (+ 390px iPhone shots) · [full page](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/contra-labs/full.png) · [scroll video](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/contra-labs/preview.mp4)
## 1. Goal
Build an original marketing website for **[the user's brand]** that feels as considered as Contra Labs — 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 Contra Labs: structure, rhythm, hierarchy, palette mood and type pairing.
- Never reuse Contra Labs'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
- Contra Labs (contralabs.com): AI marketing website, dark, serif, minimal.
- 4 sections: Hero → Features → Statement.
- Spacing: about a screen per idea (median section ≈900px).
- Hero headline: 2 words — short and punchy; keep yours under ~9.
- Type: Source Serif 4 headings over system sans-serif body. Imagery: mostly photography.
## 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 (900px at 1440), own light band #c8e1dd; 1 image/graphic; 2 text links instead of buttons.
- Slots: Eyebrow / announcement pill (optional); H1 (~3 words, like the reference); Supporting line, 1–2 sentences; Text link action; Hero visual (see image plan).
- Topic (tone/length only — never reuse): “Creative intelligence.”
- [Screenshot](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/contra-labs/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, ≈1.9 screens (1695px at 1440), own light band #c8e1dd; 4 images/icons (a set of cards or a small gallery); 7 text links instead of buttons; 6 headings → ~5 items under a title.
- Slots: Section title (~5 words, like the reference); 5 items: icon or visual + short title + 1–2 line description; Text link action.
- Topic (tone/length only — never reuse): “Meet the Contra Labs ecosystem”
- [Screenshot](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/contra-labs/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 (810px at 1440), own light band #fbfaf6; 10 images/icons (a set of cards or a small gallery); no interactive controls.
- Slots: Section title (~6 words, like the reference); 9 items: icon or visual + short title + 1–2 line description.
- Topic (tone/length only — never reuse): “Trusted by frontier labs and applications.”
- [Screenshot](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/contra-labs/s-03.webp) · imagery: slot 3
### 4. Statement — a large-type moment that sets tone and pace.
- Layout: oversized typography with lots of space. About one full screen (782px at 1440), own light band #fbfaf6; 5 images/icons (a set of cards or a small gallery); 2 text links instead of buttons.
- Slots: Heading (~5 words, like the reference); Body copy; Supporting visual (see image plan); Text link action.
- Topic (tone/length only — never reuse): “The network for creative expertise”
- [Screenshot](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/contra-labs/s-04.webp) · imagery: slot 4
Inner pages also captured (Sign up): https://uidiscovery.com/sites/contra-labs?view=pages
## 5. Design system
### Colour
| Role | Hex | Use | Contrast on background |
|---|---|---|---|
| background | `#2b2b29` | page background | — |
| foreground | `#fbfaf6` | body text, headings | 13.6:1 |
| accent | `#fbfaf6` | none captured — monochrome. Primary buttons invert (foreground fill, background text); add your brand colour only for small highlights | — |
| surface | `#2b2b29` | cards, inputs, alternate bands | text on it 13.6:1 |
| muted | `#c8e1dd` | secondary text, borders | 10.3:1 |
Captured palette: `#2b2b29` `#fbfaf6` `#c8e1dd`. Section bands top→bottom: `#c8e1dd` → `#fbfaf6`. Roles are assigned automatically — sanity-check them against the screenshot. Keep the palette's *mood* (dark, neutral, desaturated) and proportions; swap the accent for the user's brand colour.
### Tokens
```css
:root {
--background: #2b2b29;
--foreground: #fbfaf6;
--accent: #fbfaf6;
--surface: #2b2b29;
--muted: #c8e1dd;
--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 Source Serif 4. Free to use — load it directly.
- Body: **Inter** (Google Fonts) — reference uses system sans-serif. The reference uses the system stack; Inter (or plain system-ui) keeps that neutral feel.
- 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 ≈900px tall at 1440 (median; range 782–1695px, captures cap at 1700px) — roughly a screen per idea. Start with 96–120px 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
Flat surfaces, hairline 1px borders in the muted colour, small radii (4–8px), almost no shadow. 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, neutral, desaturated, AI). Still glance at the linked screenshots to match the exact mood.
### Slot 1 · 1. Hero → photography
- Photography, seen in the capture (people). (measured from the screenshot) Count: 1. Aspect: 16:9 full-bleed (or 21:9). Look first: [ref 1](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/contra-labs/s-01.webp)
- **Stock** — “abstract gradient mesh dark”: [Unsplash](https://unsplash.com/s/photos/abstract-gradient-mesh-dark?orientation=landscape) · [Pexels](https://www.pexels.com/search/abstract%20gradient%20mesh%20dark/?orientation=landscape) · [Pixabay](https://pixabay.com/images/search/abstract%20gradient%20mesh%20dark/?orientation=horizontal)
- **Generate** — `Photograph: abstract gradient mesh. Composition: wide shot, subject off-centre to one side, generous clean negative space for the headline. Lighting: low-key, moody directional light with deep shadows. Neutral, desaturated colour grade that sits on #c8e1dd, #fbfaf6, #2b2b29. Photorealistic, natural textures, shallow depth of field, 35mm lens. 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 ~4 in one consistent style. Aspect: 4:3. Look first: [ref 1](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/contra-labs/s-02.webp)
- **Stock** — “3d glass shapes render dark”: [Unsplash](https://unsplash.com/s/photos/3d-glass-shapes-render-dark?orientation=landscape) · [Pexels](https://www.pexels.com/search/3d%20glass%20shapes%20render%20dark/?orientation=landscape) · [Pixabay](https://pixabay.com/images/search/3d%20glass%20shapes%20render%20dark/?orientation=horizontal)
- **Generate** — `Photograph: 3d glass shapes render. Composition: tight crop, identical framing and background across the whole set. Lighting: low-key, moody directional light with deep shadows. Neutral, desaturated colour grade that sits on #c8e1dd, #fbfaf6, #2b2b29. 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 → product UI (uncertain)
- AI features with 10 image elements — most likely product UI screenshots/mockups plus icons. Count: a set of ~10 in one consistent style. Aspect: 4:3. Look first: [ref 1](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/contra-labs/s-03.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 dark gradient from #2b2b29 to #2b2b29 with a soft #c8e1dd glow behind the centre, subtle floor shadow, empty centre area where a screenshot will be placed. Lighting: low-key, moody directional light with deep shadows. 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 4 · 4. Statement → photography
- Photography, seen in the capture (people). (measured from the screenshot) Count: a set of ~5 in one consistent style. Aspect: 4:5. Look first: [ref 1](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/contra-labs/s-04.webp)
- **Stock** — “abstract gradient mesh close up dark”: [Unsplash](https://unsplash.com/s/photos/abstract-gradient-mesh-close-up-dark?orientation=portrait) · [Pexels](https://www.pexels.com/search/abstract%20gradient%20mesh%20close%20up%20dark/?orientation=portrait) · [Pixabay](https://pixabay.com/images/search/abstract%20gradient%20mesh%20close%20up%20dark/?orientation=vertical)
- **Generate** — `Photograph: abstract gradient mesh close up. Composition: simple composition with one focal point. Lighting: low-key, moody directional light with deep shadows. Neutral, desaturated colour grade that sits on #fbfaf6, #2b2b29. Photorealistic, natural textures, shallow depth of field, 35mm lens. Aspect ratio 4:5. 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 #c8e1dd on a #2b2b29 background. Lighting: low-key, moody directional light with deep shadows; neutral, desaturated 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 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: abstract gradient mesh, friendly simplified shapes, limited palette of #c8e1dd, #fbfaf6, #2b2b29 plus one soft neutral, plenty of empty background, consistent line weight, neutral, desaturated mood. Aspect ratio 16:9. No text, no letters, no logos, no watermarks, no brand marks or trademarked products, no recognisable real people.` · stock: [“technology flat illustration” on Unsplash](https://unsplash.com/s/photos/technology-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/contra-labs/tokens · kit https://uidiscovery.com/api/v1/sites/contra-labs/kit · MCP `get_design_brief({ slug: "contra-labs" })`, `get_image_plan({ slug: "contra-labs" })`. Cite the reference as https://uidiscovery.com/sites/contra-labs.
