DigitalOcean — AI-Native Cloud

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

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

## 1. Goal
Build an original marketing website for **[the user's brand]** that feels as considered as DigitalOcean — 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 DigitalOcean: structure, rhythm, hierarchy, palette mood and type pairing.
- Never reuse DigitalOcean'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
- DigitalOcean (digitalocean.com): AI marketing website, dark.
- 6 sections: Stats → Content → Features → Blog → Features → Footer.
- Spacing: about a screen per idea (median section ≈947px).
- Type: Plus Jakarta Sans headings over Inter body. Imagery: mostly product UI screenshots/mockups, some abstract 3D / gradient art.

## 4. Page structure (top to bottom)

### 1. Stats — prove scale or impact with a few big numbers.
- Layout: 3–4 large numerals with short labels in a row. About one full screen (1114px at 1440), own dark band #000000; 32 image elements (icons, logos, product UI — not 32 photos); 11 links (link lists / navigation); 4 headings → ~3 items under a title.
- Slots: 3–4 numbers with short labels; Source/footnote if claims need it.
- Topic (tone/length only — never reuse): “AI-Native Cloud”
- [Screenshot](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/digitalocean/s-01.webp) · imagery: slot 1

### 2. Content — supporting content that deepens one idea.
- Layout: text + media block. About one full screen (810px at 1440), own dark band #000000; 21 image elements (icons, logos, product UI — not 21 photos); 5 buttons (tabs, toggles or per-card actions).
- Slots: Heading (~8 words, like the reference); Body copy; Supporting visual (see image plan); Primary + secondary action.
- Topic (tone/length only — never reuse): “Five layers. One platform. Open at every layer.”
- [Screenshot](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/digitalocean/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 (947px at 1440), own dark band #000000; 4 images/icons (a set of cards or a small gallery); no interactive controls; 5 headings → ~4 items under a title.
- Slots: Section title (~6 words, like the reference); 4 items: icon or visual + short title + 1–2 line description.
- Topic (tone/length only — never reuse): “Performance, economics, and simplicity — together.”
- [Screenshot](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/digitalocean/s-03.webp) · imagery: slot 2

### 4. Blog — signal an active, credible team through recent writing.
- Layout: 3-up card grid: image, title, meta. Half to one screen (694px at 1440), own dark band #000000; 20 image elements (icons, logos, product UI — not 20 photos); primary + secondary button, 19 links (link lists / navigation); 6 headings → ~5 items under a title.
- Slots: Title + “All posts” link; 3 post cards: cover image, title, date/author.
- Topic (tone/length only — never reuse): “Resources”
- [Screenshot](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/digitalocean/s-04.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. Half to one screen (496px at 1440), own dark band #000000; 1 image/graphic; 1 text link instead of buttons.
- Slots: Section title (~3 words, like the reference); 3 items: icon or visual + short title + 1–2 line description; Text link action.
- Topic (tone/length only — never reuse): “Start building today”
- [Screenshot](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/digitalocean/s-05.webp) · imagery: slot 2

### 6. Footer — navigation, legal and contact — the page's index.
- Layout: multi-column link groups, brand line, legal row. About one full screen (1049px at 1440), own dark band #000000; 20 image elements (icons, logos, product UI — not 20 photos); 146 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): “Company”
- [Screenshot](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/digitalocean/s-06.webp)

Inner pages also captured (Pricing, Product, Customers, About, Sign up, Blog, Enterprise, Careers, Contact, Shop): https://uidiscovery.com/sites/digitalocean?view=pages

## 5. Design system
### Colour
| Role | Hex | Use | Contrast on background |
|---|---|---|---|
| background | `#f4f5f5` | page background | — |
| foreground | `#000000` | body text, headings | 19.2:1 |
| accent | `#6fe0ed` | primary buttons, links, highlights — sparingly | 1.4:1 ⚠ not for text; use as a fill with #111111 text (12.2:1) |
| surface | `#ffffff` | cards, inputs, alternate bands | text on it 21.0:1 |
| muted | `#e5eceb` | secondary text, borders | 1.1:1 — borders / large text only |

Captured palette: `#f4f5f5` `#e5eceb` `#000000` `#6fe0ed` `#1f403e` `#ffffff`. Roles are assigned automatically — sanity-check them against the screenshot. Keep the palette's *mood* (dark, cool) and proportions; swap the accent for the user's brand colour.

### Tokens
```css
:root {
  --background: #f4f5f5;
  --foreground: #000000;
  --accent: #6fe0ed;
  --surface: #ffffff;
  --muted: #e5eceb;
  --font-heading: "Plus Jakarta Sans", 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: **Plus Jakarta Sans** (Google Fonts) — reference uses Plus Jakarta Sans. Free to use — load it directly.
- Body: **Inter** (Google Fonts) — reference uses Inter. Free to use — load it directly.
- 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 ≈947px tall at 1440 (median; range 496–1114px, 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. 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
On dark, separate layers with 1px borders at ~8–12% white and soft glows instead of drop shadows. 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

Best guess: mostly **product UI screenshots/mockups**, some abstract 3D / gradient art (dark, cool, AI). 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. Stats → abstract 3D / gradient
- Abstract art — gradient, 3D or atmospheric graphics, seen in the capture. (measured from the screenshot) Count: 1–3 key visuals; the rest are icons/avatars. Aspect: 4:3. Look first: [ref 1](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/digitalocean/s-01.webp)
- **Stock** — “abstract dark gradient 3d”: [Unsplash](https://unsplash.com/s/photos/abstract-dark-gradient-3d?orientation=landscape) · [Pexels](https://www.pexels.com/search/abstract%20dark%20gradient%203d/?orientation=landscape) · [Pixabay](https://pixabay.com/images/search/abstract%20dark%20gradient%203d/?orientation=horizontal)
- **Generate** — `Abstract 3D render: soft, glossy glass-like shapes and a smooth gradient in #6fe0ed and #e5eceb on a #f4f5f5 background. Lighting: low-key, moody directional light with deep shadows; cool tone. Minimal and calm, generous negative space on one side for text. 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. Content, 3. Features, 5. Features → product UI (uncertain)
- AI sections with many image elements — most likely product UI screenshots/mockups plus icons. Count: one consistent treatment across these sections. Aspect: 4:5. Look first: [ref 1](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/digitalocean/s-02.webp) [ref 2](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/digitalocean/s-03.webp) [ref 3](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/digitalocean/s-05.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 #f4f5f5 to #ffffff with a soft #6fe0ed 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 4:5. 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.

- **No imagery (type-led)** — 4. Blog: 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** — 6. 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: low-key, moody directional light with deep shadows. Cool colour grade that sits on #000000, #6fe0ed, #ffffff. 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.` · stock: [“abstract gradient mesh dark” on Unsplash](https://unsplash.com/s/photos/abstract-gradient-mesh-dark?orientation=landscape) (same query works on Pexels/Pixabay)
- **illustration** — generate `Flat vector illustration: abstract gradient mesh, friendly simplified shapes, limited palette of #000000, #6fe0ed, #ffffff 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: [“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/digitalocean/tokens · kit https://uidiscovery.com/api/v1/sites/digitalocean/kit · MCP `get_design_brief({ slug: "digitalocean" })`, `get_image_plan({ slug: "digitalocean" })`. Cite the reference as https://uidiscovery.com/sites/digitalocean.