Convex — All gas, no breakages

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

> Reference: https://www.convex.dev · UIDiscovery: https://uidiscovery.com/sites/convex · captured 2026-09-21 at a 1440px desktop viewport (+ 390px iPhone shots) · [full page](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/convex/full.webp) · [scroll video](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/convex/preview.mp4)

## 1. Goal
Build an original marketing website for **[the user's brand]** that feels as considered as Convex — 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 Convex: structure, rhythm, hierarchy, palette mood and type pairing.
- Never reuse Convex'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
- Convex (convex.dev): Developer Tools marketing website, light.
- 9 sections: Hero → Logo cloud → Features → Integrations → Content → Team → Call to action → Footer.
- Spacing: about a screen per idea (median section ≈513px).
- Hero headline: 4 words — short and punchy; keep yours under ~9.
- Type: Neue haas grotesk display headings over Gt America body. Imagery: mostly abstract 3D / gradient art, some product UI screenshots/mockups.

## 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. Half to one screen (479px at 1440), own dark band #281d1d; 10 images/icons (a set of cards or a small gallery); 3 buttons (tabs, toggles or per-card actions).
- Slots: Eyebrow / announcement pill (optional); H1 (~4 words, like the reference); Supporting line, 1–2 sentences; Primary + secondary action; Hero visual (see image plan).
- Topic (tone/length only — never reuse): “ALL GAS NO BREAKAGES”
- [Screenshot](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/convex/s-01.webp) · imagery: slot 1

### 2. Logo cloud — borrow trust from recognisable customers or partners.
- Layout: a single row or wall of monochrome marks with a one-line lead-in. Compact band (229px at 1440), page background; 21 image elements (icons, logos, product UI — not 21 photos); 21 links (link lists / navigation).
- Slots: One-line lead-in (e.g. “Trusted by…”); 6–10 monochrome customer/partner marks (your own, with permission).
- Topic (tone/length only — never reuse): “TRUSTED BY”
- [Screenshot](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/convex/s-02.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 (472px at 1440), page background; 6 images/icons (a set of cards or a small gallery); 1 text link instead of buttons.
- Slots: Section title (~3 words, like the reference); 6 items: icon or visual + short title + 1–2 line description; Text link action.
- Topic (tone/length only — never reuse): “Solved.”
- [Screenshot](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/convex/s-03.webp) · imagery: slot 2

### 4. Integrations — show that it fits the tools the visitor already uses.
- Layout: a grid of app icons around a short explanation. Half to one screen (738px at 1440), own dark band #191919; 10 images/icons (a set of cards or a small gallery); 9 text links instead of buttons.
- Slots: Title + explanation; Icon grid of tools you truly integrate with; Text link action.
- Topic (tone/length only — never reuse): “Ready for agentic workloads (and everything else)”
- [Screenshot](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/convex/s-04.webp)

### 5. Content — supporting content that deepens one idea.
- Layout: text + media block. Half to one screen (579px at 1440), own dark band #444435; no images (type-led); no interactive controls.
- Slots: Heading (~3 words, like the reference); Body copy.
- Topic (tone/length only — never reuse): “QUOTES”
- [Screenshot](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/convex/s-05.webp)

### 6. Team — put faces behind the product.
- Layout: portrait grid with name and role. Half to one screen (513px at 1440), own dark band #2a1b1b; 2 image/graphics; no interactive controls; 3 headings → ~2 items under a title.
- Slots: Title; Portrait grid: name, role; Hiring link (optional).
- Topic (tone/length only — never reuse): “We learned how to build and run distributed systems at exabyte scale so you…”
- [Screenshot](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/convex/s-06.webp) · imagery: slot 3

### 7. Call to action — close the page with one clear next step.
- Layout: short headline + one primary action on a contrasting band. Compact band (187px at 1440), own dark band #73312b; 1 image/graphic; 2 text links instead of buttons.
- Slots: Headline (~3 words, like the reference); One sentence of support; Text link action.
- Topic (tone/length only — never reuse): “ENTERPRISE READY”
- [Screenshot](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/convex/s-07.webp)

### 8. 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 (598px at 1440), own dark band #573932; 14 images/icons (a set of cards or a small gallery); 3 buttons (tabs, toggles or per-card actions).
- Slots: Headline (~6 words, like the reference); One sentence of support; Primary + secondary action.
- Topic (tone/length only — never reuse): “Build a production app this afternoon”
- [Screenshot](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/convex/s-08.webp) · imagery: slot 1

### 9. Footer — navigation, legal and contact — the page's index.
- Layout: multi-column link groups, brand line, legal row. Half to one screen (615px at 1440), own dark band #221f1d; 21 image elements (icons, logos, product UI — not 21 photos); 35 links (link lists / navigation).
- Slots: Brand mark + one-line description; 3–5 link columns; Newsletter or contact (optional); Legal row + social icons.
- [Screenshot](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/convex/s-09.webp)

Inner pages also captured (Pricing, About, Sign up, Log in, Docs, Enterprise, Careers, Contact, Security): https://uidiscovery.com/sites/convex?view=pages

## 5. Design system
### Colour
| Role | Hex | Use | Contrast on background |
|---|---|---|---|
| background | `#f6eedb` | page background | — |
| foreground | `#1a0f0f` | body text, headings | 16.2:1 |
| accent | `#281d1d` | primary buttons, links, highlights — sparingly | 14.2:1 |
| surface | `#f6eedb` | cards, inputs, alternate bands | text on it 16.2:1 |
| muted | `#38383a` | secondary text, borders | 10.1:1 |

Captured palette: `#f6eedb` `#38383a` `#141414` `#1a0f0f` `#292929` `#281d1d`. Section bands top→bottom: `#281d1d` → `#f6eedb` → `#191919` → `#444435` → `#2a1b1b` → `#73312b`. Roles are assigned automatically — sanity-check them against the screenshot. Keep the palette's *mood* (light, neutral, desaturated) and proportions; swap the accent for the user's brand colour.

### Tokens
```css
:root {
  --background: #f6eedb;
  --foreground: #1a0f0f;
  --accent: #281d1d;
  --surface: #f6eedb;
  --muted: #38383a;
  --font-heading: "Inter", ui-sans-serif, system-ui, sans-serif;
  --font-body: "Inter Tight", 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 Neue haas grotesk display. “Neue haas grotesk display” is a licensed face — use Inter (or Hanken Grotesk) as the free stand-in, or license the original.
- Body: **Inter Tight** (Google Fonts) — reference uses Gt America. “Gt America” is a licensed face — use Inter Tight (or Libre Franklin) as the free stand-in, or license the original.
- 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.

### Spacing & rhythm
Sections run ≈513px tall at 1440 (median; range 187–738px, 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 7 times 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. 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

Best guess: mostly **abstract 3D / gradient art**, some product UI screenshots/mockups (light, neutral, desaturated, Developer Tools). Inferred from element counts, colours and industry — not from the pixels — so open the linked screenshots and match the real style before sourcing anything.

### Slot 1 · 1. Hero, 8. Call to action → abstract 3D / gradient (uncertain)
- Dark Developer Tools section with a few graphics — typically abstract 3D/gradient art or a product shot. Count: one consistent treatment across these sections. Aspect: 3:2. Look first: [ref 1](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/convex/s-01.webp) [ref 2](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/convex/s-08.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 #281d1d and #38383a on a #f6eedb background. Lighting: soft natural daylight, airy and high-key; neutral, desaturated 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.`

### Slot 2 · 3. Features → product UI (uncertain)
- Developer Tools features with 6 image elements — most likely product UI screenshots/mockups plus icons. Count: a set of ~6 in one consistent style. Aspect: 4:3. Look first: [ref 1](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/convex/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 light gradient from #f6eedb to #f6eedb with a soft #281d1d 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 · 6. Team → portraits
- Portrait photography, seen in the capture. (measured from the screenshot) Count: a set of ~2 in one consistent style. Aspect: 1:1 (avatars) or 4:5 (portraits). Look first: [ref 1](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/convex/s-06.webp)
- **Stock** — “team portrait office candid”: [Unsplash](https://unsplash.com/s/photos/team-portrait-office-candid?orientation=portrait) · [Pexels](https://www.pexels.com/search/team%20portrait%20office%20candid/?orientation=portrait) · [Pixabay](https://pixabay.com/images/search/team%20portrait%20office%20candid/?orientation=vertical)
- **Generate** — `Natural headshot of a fictional professional, head-and-shoulders, eye level, same backdrop for everyone, soft natural daylight, airy and high-key, background tinted #f6eedb, neutral, desaturated colour grade. Aspect ratio 1:1. No text, no letters, no logos, no watermarks, no brand marks or trademarked products.`
- Placeholders only: a testimonial needs a real customer, their real photo and consent. Never attach a real quote to a stock or AI face.

- **Logos** — 2. Logo cloud, 4. Integrations: Never generate or stock-source logos. Use your real customers'/partners' marks with permission (monochrome, equal height), or neutral wordmark placeholders until you have them. Integration icons: each tool's official brand kit (Simple Icons is a quick start; trademarks still apply).
- **No imagery (type-led)** — 5. Content, 7. Call to action: 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. 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.

### 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:
- **photography** — generate `Photograph: abstract gradient mesh. Composition: wide shot, subject off-centre to one side, generous clean negative space for the headline. Lighting: soft natural daylight, airy and high-key. Neutral, desaturated colour grade that sits on #281d1d, #f6eedb. Photorealistic, natural textures, shallow depth of field, 35mm lens. Aspect ratio 3:2. No text, no letters, no logos, no watermarks, no brand marks or trademarked products, no recognisable real people.` · stock: [“abstract gradient mesh” on Unsplash](https://unsplash.com/s/photos/abstract-gradient-mesh?orientation=landscape) (same query works on Pexels/Pixabay)
- **illustration** — generate `Flat vector illustration: abstract gradient mesh, friendly simplified shapes, limited palette of #281d1d, #f6eedb plus one soft neutral, plenty of empty background, consistent line weight, neutral, desaturated mood. Aspect ratio 3:2. 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).

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