Preview the prompt +
# Build brief — an original marketing website in the taste of Dropbox
> Reference: https://www.dropbox.com · UIDiscovery: https://uidiscovery.com/sites/dropbox · captured 2026-09-22 at a 1440px desktop viewport (+ 390px iPhone shots) · [full page](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/dropbox/full.webp) · [scroll video](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/dropbox/preview.mp4)
## 1. Goal
Build an original marketing website for **[the user's brand]** that feels as considered as Dropbox — 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 Dropbox: structure, rhythm, hierarchy, palette mood and type pairing.
- Never reuse Dropbox'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
- Dropbox (dropbox.com): Productivity marketing website, light.
- 11 sections: Hero → Showcase → Features → Showcase → Content → Features → Content → Features → Footer.
- Spacing: about a screen per idea (median section ≈735px).
- Hero headline: 8 words — short and punchy; keep yours under ~9.
- Type: one family (Sharp Grotesk). 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. Half to one screen (735px at 1440), page background; 3 image/graphics; one primary button.
- Slots: Eyebrow / announcement pill (optional); H1 (~8 words, like the reference); Supporting line, 1–2 sentences; One primary action; Hero visual (see image plan).
- Topic (tone/length only — never reuse): “Get to work, with a lot less work”
- [Screenshot](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/dropbox/s-01.webp) · imagery: slot 1
### 2. Showcase — show the product (or the result) itself as proof.
- Layout: a large framed visual with a short caption or heading. Compact band (246px at 1440), page background; 71 image elements (icons, logos, product UI — not 71 photos); one primary button.
- Slots: Heading (~10 words, like the reference); Body copy; Supporting visual (see image plan); One primary action.
- Topic (tone/length only — never reuse): “Join the over 700 million registered users who trust Dropbox”
- [Screenshot](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/dropbox/s-02.webp) · imagery: slot 2
### 3. Showcase — show the product (or the result) itself as proof.
- Layout: a large framed visual with a short caption or heading. About one full screen (1001px at 1440), own light band #ffffff; 7 images/icons (a set of cards or a small gallery); one primary button.
- Slots: Heading (~5 words, like the reference); Body copy; Supporting visual (see image plan); One primary action.
- Topic (tone/length only — never reuse): “Find it fast, every time”
- [Screenshot](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/dropbox/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. About one full screen (881px at 1440), own light band #ffffff; 8 images/icons (a set of cards or a small gallery); primary + secondary button.
- Slots: Section title (~7 words, like the reference); 8 items: icon or visual + short title + 1–2 line description; Primary + secondary action.
- Topic (tone/length only — never reuse): “Cloud storage that keeps everyone in sync”
- [Screenshot](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/dropbox/s-04.webp) · imagery: slot 4
### 5. Showcase — show the product (or the result) itself as proof.
- Layout: a large framed visual with a short caption or heading. About one full screen (881px at 1440), own light band #ffffff; 8 images/icons (a set of cards or a small gallery); primary + secondary button.
- Slots: Heading (~5 words, like the reference); Body copy; Supporting visual (see image plan); Primary + secondary action.
- Topic (tone/length only — never reuse): “Share files without the slowdown”
- [Screenshot](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/dropbox/s-05.webp) · imagery: slot 4
### 6. Content — supporting content that deepens one idea.
- Layout: text + media block. Compact band (248px at 1440), own dark band #1e1919; no images (type-led); no interactive controls.
- Slots: Heading (~8 words, like the reference); Body copy.
- Topic (tone/length only — never reuse): “Bring Dropbox content into your favorite AI tools”
- [Screenshot](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/dropbox/s-06.webp)
### 7. 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 (446px at 1440), own dark band #1e1919; 9 images/icons (a set of cards or a small gallery); 3 buttons (tabs, toggles or per-card actions); 3 headings → ~2 items under a title.
- Slots: Section title (~3 words, like the reference); 2 items: icon or visual + short title + 1–2 line description; Primary + secondary action.
- Topic (tone/length only — never reuse): “Google Gemini”
- [Screenshot](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/dropbox/s-07.webp) · imagery: slot 4
### 8. Content — supporting content that deepens one idea.
- Layout: text + media block. Tall, ≈1.8 screens (1614px at 1440), page background; 20 image elements (icons, logos, product UI — not 20 photos); 5 buttons (tabs, toggles or per-card actions).
- Slots: Heading (~4 words, like the reference); Body copy; Supporting visual (see image plan); Primary + secondary action.
- Topic (tone/length only — never reuse): “Security never comes second”
- [Screenshot](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/dropbox/s-08.webp) · imagery: slot 5
### 9. 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 (638px at 1440), own light band #ffffff; 18 image elements (icons, logos, product UI — not 18 photos); 6 buttons (tabs, toggles or per-card actions); 6 headings → ~5 items under a title.
- Slots: Section title (~3 words, like the reference); 5 items: icon or visual + short title + 1–2 line description; Primary + secondary action.
- Topic (tone/length only — never reuse): “Construction”
- [Screenshot](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/dropbox/s-09.webp) · imagery: slot 6
### 10. 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 (525px at 1440), page background; 6 images/icons (a set of cards or a small gallery); 3 buttons (tabs, toggles or per-card actions); 3 headings → ~2 items under a title.
- Slots: Section title (~14 words, like the reference); 2 items: icon or visual + short title + 1–2 line description; Primary + secondary action.
- Topic (tone/length only — never reuse): “Study: Here’s how many hours we lose to distraction—and how to get our focus…”
- [Screenshot](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/dropbox/s-10.webp) · imagery: slot 7
### 11. Footer — navigation, legal and contact — the page's index.
- Layout: multi-column link groups, brand line, legal row. About one full screen (869px at 1440), page background; 5 images/icons (a set of cards or a small gallery); 4 buttons (tabs, toggles or per-card actions), 53 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): “Dropbox”
- [Screenshot](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/dropbox/s-11.webp)
Inner pages also captured (Pricing, Product, Customers, Sign up, Log in, Docs, Enterprise, Contact, Shop, Security): https://uidiscovery.com/sites/dropbox?view=pages
## 5. Design system
### Colour
| Role | Hex | Use | Contrast on background |
|---|---|---|---|
| background | `#f7f5f2` | page background | — |
| foreground | `#1e1919` | body text, headings | 16.0:1 |
| accent | `#0061fe` | primary buttons, links, highlights — sparingly | 4.7:1 |
| surface | `#ffffff` | cards, inputs, alternate bands | text on it 17.4:1 |
| muted | `#524a3e` | secondary text, borders | 8.0:1 |
Captured palette: `#f7f5f2` `#1e1919` `#ffffff` `#524a3e` `#0061fe`. Section bands top→bottom: `#f7f5f2` → `#ffffff` → `#1e1919`. 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: #f7f5f2;
--foreground: #1e1919;
--accent: #0061fe;
--surface: #ffffff;
--muted: #524a3e;
--font-heading: "Inter", 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: **Inter** (Google Fonts) — reference uses Sharp Grotesk. “Sharp Grotesk” is likely a custom or licensed face. Inter is a neutral stand-in — pick a closer free match by eye from the screenshot.
- 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 ≈735px tall at 1440 (median; range 246–1614px, 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 3 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
Measured from 5 section screenshots: mostly **photography** (light, cool, Productivity). Still glance at the linked screenshots to match the exact mood.
### Slot 1 · 1. Hero → illustration (uncertain)
- Light Productivity section with a few graphics — illustration, icon art or a product shot. Count: a set of ~3 in one consistent style. Aspect: 3:2. Look first: [ref 1](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/dropbox/s-01.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 #f7f5f2, #0061fe, #ffffff plus one soft neutral, plenty of empty background, consistent line weight, cool mood. Aspect ratio 3:2. 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.
### Slot 2 · 2. Showcase → photography
- Photography, seen in the capture (art, illustrations). (measured from the screenshot) Count: 1–3 key visuals; the rest are icons/avatars. Aspect: 16:10. Look first: [ref 1](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/dropbox/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: centred subject with even space around it. Lighting: soft natural daylight, airy and high-key. Cool colour grade that sits on #f7f5f2, #0061fe, #ffffff. Photorealistic, natural textures, shallow depth of field, 35mm lens. Aspect ratio 16:10. No text, no letters, no logos, no watermarks, no brand marks or trademarked products, no recognisable real people.`
### Slot 3 · 3. Showcase → photography
- Photography, seen in the capture (people). (measured from the screenshot) Count: a set of ~7 in one consistent style. Aspect: 16:10. Look first: [ref 1](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/dropbox/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: centred subject with even space around it. Lighting: soft natural daylight, airy and high-key. Cool colour grade that sits on #ffffff, #0061fe. Photorealistic, natural textures, shallow depth of field, 35mm lens. Aspect ratio 16:10. No text, no letters, no logos, no watermarks, no brand marks or trademarked products, no recognisable real people.`
### Slot 4 · 4. Features, 5. Showcase, 7. Features → product UI (uncertain)
- Productivity sections with many image elements — most likely product UI screenshots/mockups plus icons. Count: one consistent treatment across these sections. Aspect: 4:3. Look first: [ref 1](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/dropbox/s-04.webp) [ref 2](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/dropbox/s-05.webp) [ref 3](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/dropbox/s-07.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 #f7f5f2 to #ffffff with a soft #0061fe 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 · 8. Content → photography
- Photography, seen in the capture (people). (measured from the screenshot) Count: 1–3 key visuals; the rest are icons/avatars. Aspect: 4:5. Look first: [ref 1](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/dropbox/s-08.webp)
- **Stock** — “3d glass shapes render wide shot”: [Unsplash](https://unsplash.com/s/photos/3d-glass-shapes-render-wide-shot?orientation=portrait) · [Pexels](https://www.pexels.com/search/3d%20glass%20shapes%20render%20wide%20shot/?orientation=portrait) · [Pixabay](https://pixabay.com/images/search/3d%20glass%20shapes%20render%20wide%20shot/?orientation=vertical)
- **Generate** — `Photograph: 3d glass shapes render wide shot. Composition: simple composition with one focal point. Lighting: soft natural daylight, airy and high-key. Cool colour grade that sits on #f7f5f2, #0061fe, #ffffff. 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.`
### Slot 6 · 9. Features → photography
- Photography, seen in the capture (people, adult, safety vest). (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/dropbox/s-09.webp)
- **Stock** — “minimal desk with laptop wide shot”: [Unsplash](https://unsplash.com/s/photos/minimal-desk-with-laptop-wide-shot?orientation=landscape) · [Pexels](https://www.pexels.com/search/minimal%20desk%20with%20laptop%20wide%20shot/?orientation=landscape) · [Pixabay](https://pixabay.com/images/search/minimal%20desk%20with%20laptop%20wide%20shot/?orientation=horizontal)
- **Generate** — `Photograph: minimal desk with laptop wide shot. 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, #0061fe. 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 7 · 10. Features → photography
- Photography, seen in the capture (people, child, adult). (measured from the screenshot) Count: a set of ~6 in one consistent style. Aspect: 4:3. Look first: [ref 1](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/dropbox/s-10.webp)
- **Stock** — “abstract gradient mesh wide shot”: [Unsplash](https://unsplash.com/s/photos/abstract-gradient-mesh-wide-shot?orientation=landscape) · [Pexels](https://www.pexels.com/search/abstract%20gradient%20mesh%20wide%20shot/?orientation=landscape) · [Pixabay](https://pixabay.com/images/search/abstract%20gradient%20mesh%20wide%20shot/?orientation=horizontal)
- **Generate** — `Photograph: abstract gradient mesh wide shot. 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 #f7f5f2, #0061fe, #ffffff. 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.`
- **No imagery (type-led)** — 6. Content: 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** — 11. 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:
- **abstract 3D / gradient** — generate `Abstract 3D render: soft, matte clay shapes and a smooth gradient in #0061fe and #524a3e on a #f7f5f2 background. Lighting: soft natural daylight, airy and high-key; cool 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 gradient 3d” on Unsplash](https://unsplash.com/s/photos/abstract-gradient-3d?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/dropbox/tokens · kit https://uidiscovery.com/api/v1/sites/dropbox/kit · MCP `get_design_brief({ slug: "dropbox" })`, `get_image_plan({ slug: "dropbox" })`. Cite the reference as https://uidiscovery.com/sites/dropbox.
