Labs — ChainGPT Labs

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

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

## 1. Goal
Build an original marketing website for **[the user's brand]** that feels as considered as 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 Labs: structure, rhythm, hierarchy, palette mood and type pairing.
- Never reuse 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
- Labs (labs.chaingpt.org): Crypto & Web3 marketing website, dark, minimal, award winner.
- 9 sections: Hero → Features → Content → Features → Testimonials → Team → FAQ → Blog → Footer.
- Spacing: about a screen per idea (median section ≈868px).
- Hero headline: 1 words — short and punchy; keep yours under ~9.
- Type: Labs Amiga headings over Roboto Mono body. Imagery: mostly product UI screenshots/mockups, some portraits.

## 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 (792px at 1440), own light band #e4e4e4; 28 image elements (icons, logos, product UI — not 28 photos); 3 buttons (tabs, toggles or per-card actions), 22 links (link lists / navigation).
- Slots: Eyebrow / announcement pill (optional); H1 (~3 words, like the reference); Supporting line, 1–2 sentences; Primary + secondary action; Hero visual (see image plan).
- Topic (tone/length only — never reuse): “BACKING”
- [Screenshot](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/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 (1700px at 1440), own light band #e4e4e4; 45 image elements (icons, logos, product UI — not 45 photos); 7 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): “BEYOND CAPITAL”
- [Screenshot](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/labs/s-02.webp) · imagery: slot 1

### 3. Content — supporting content that deepens one idea.
- Layout: text + media block. About one full screen (926px at 1440), own light band #e4e4e4; 54 image elements (icons, logos, product UI — not 54 photos); primary + secondary button, 17 links (link lists / navigation).
- Slots: Heading (~3 words, like the reference); Body copy; Supporting visual (see image plan); Primary + secondary action.
- Topic (tone/length only — never reuse): “Our Incubations”
- [Screenshot](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/labs/s-03.webp) · imagery: slot 1

### 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 (645px at 1440), own light band #e4e4e4; 22 image elements (icons, logos, product UI — not 22 photos); primary + secondary button.
- 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): “MEDIA PRESENCE”
- [Screenshot](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/labs/s-04.webp) · imagery: slot 1

### 5. Testimonials — let real customers make the case in their own words.
- Layout: quote cards or a featured quote with name, role and avatar. About one full screen (948px at 1440), own light band #e4e4e4; 18 image elements (icons, logos, product UI — not 18 photos); primary + secondary button; 6 headings → ~5 items under a title.
- Slots: Section title; 5 quotes: 1–3 sentences, name, role, company, avatar; Use real customer quotes only.
- Topic (tone/length only — never reuse): “TESTIMONIALS”
- [Screenshot](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/labs/s-05.webp) · imagery: slot 2

### 6. Team — put faces behind the product.
- Layout: portrait grid with name and role. Half to one screen (690px at 1440), own light band #e4e4e4; 28 image elements (icons, logos, product UI — not 28 photos); primary + secondary button, 18 links (link lists / navigation); 6 headings → ~5 items under a title.
- Slots: Title; Portrait grid: name, role; Hiring link (optional).
- Topic (tone/length only — never reuse): “OUR TEAM”
- [Screenshot](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/labs/s-06.webp) · imagery: slot 3

### 7. FAQ — remove the last objections before the call to action.
- Layout: question list with disclosure (accordion), often two columns on desktop. About one full screen (856px at 1440), own light band #e4e4e4; 9 images/icons (a set of cards or a small gallery); 7 buttons (tabs, toggles or per-card actions); 6 headings → ~5 items under a title.
- Slots: Title; 5 question/answer pairs; Link to support/contact.
- Topic (tone/length only — never reuse): “FAQ”
- [Screenshot](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/labs/s-07.webp) · imagery: slot 4

### 8. Blog — signal an active, credible team through recent writing.
- Layout: 3-up card grid: image, title, meta. About one full screen (868px at 1440), own light band #e4e4e4; 105 image elements (icons, logos, product UI — not 105 photos); 4 buttons (tabs, toggles or per-card actions), 26 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): “LATST NEWS”
- [Screenshot](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/labs/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. About one full screen (1065px at 1440), own light band #e4e4e4; 6 images/icons (a set of cards or a small gallery); inline form (2 fields, e.g. email capture), 14 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): “Subscribe to be in touch*”
- [Screenshot](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/labs/s-09.webp)

Inner pages also captured (About, Sign up, Blog, Security): https://uidiscovery.com/sites/labs?view=pages

## 5. Design system
### Colour
| Role | Hex | Use | Contrast on background |
|---|---|---|---|
| background | `#0e0e0e` | page background | — |
| foreground | `#e4e4e4` | body text, headings | 15.2:1 |
| accent | `#e4e4e4` | none captured — monochrome. Primary buttons invert (foreground fill, background text); add your brand colour only for small highlights | — |
| surface | `#1b1b1b` | cards, inputs, alternate bands | text on it 13.5:1 |
| muted | `#636363` | secondary text, borders | 3.2:1 — borders / large text only |

Captured palette: `#0e0e0e` `#e4e4e4` `#636363` `#1b1b1b`. 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: #0e0e0e;
  --foreground: #e4e4e4;
  --accent: #e4e4e4;
  --surface: #1b1b1b;
  --muted: #636363;
  --font-heading: "Inter", ui-sans-serif, system-ui, sans-serif;
  --font-body: "Roboto Mono", ui-monospace, monospace;
  --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 Labs Amiga. “Labs Amiga” is likely a custom or licensed face. Inter is a neutral stand-in — pick a closer free match by eye from the screenshot.
- Body: **Roboto Mono** (Google Fonts) — reference uses Roboto Mono. Free to use — load it directly.
- 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 ≈868px tall at 1440 (median; range 645–1700px, 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
Flat surfaces, hairline 1px borders in the muted colour, small radii (4–8px), almost no shadow; expressive layout and motion are part of the appeal — study the scroll video, but keep motion subtle and respect prefers-reduced-motion. 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 portraits (dark, neutral, desaturated, Crypto & Web3). 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, 2. Features, 3. Content, 4. Features, 8. Blog → product UI (uncertain)
- Crypto & Web3 sections with many image elements — most likely product UI screenshots/mockups plus icons. Count: one consistent treatment across these sections. Aspect: 16:9 full-bleed (or 21:9). Look first: [ref 1](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/labs/s-01.webp) [ref 2](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/labs/s-02.webp) [ref 3](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/labs/s-03.webp) [ref 4](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/labs/s-04.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 #0e0e0e to #1b1b1b with a soft #636363 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 16:9. 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 2 · 5. Testimonials → portraits
- Testimonial section with 18 images — usually portraits/avatars. Count: 1–3 key visuals; the rest are icons/avatars. Aspect: 1:1 (avatars) or 4:5 (portraits). Look first: [ref 1](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/labs/s-05.webp)
- **Stock** — “portrait headshot natural light”: [Unsplash](https://unsplash.com/s/photos/portrait-headshot-natural-light?orientation=portrait) · [Pexels](https://www.pexels.com/search/portrait%20headshot%20natural%20light/?orientation=portrait) · [Pixabay](https://pixabay.com/images/search/portrait%20headshot%20natural%20light/?orientation=vertical)
- **Generate** — `Natural headshot of a fictional professional, head-and-shoulders, eye level, plain soft background, low-key, moody directional light with deep shadows, background tinted #1b1b1b, 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.

### Slot 3 · 6. Team → portraits
- Portrait photography, seen in the capture. (measured from the screenshot) Count: 1–3 key visuals; the rest are icons/avatars. Aspect: 1:1 (avatars) or 4:5 (portraits). Look first: [ref 1](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/labs/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, low-key, moody directional light with deep shadows, background tinted #1b1b1b, 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.

### Slot 4 · 7. FAQ → illustration (uncertain)
- Light Crypto & Web3 section with a few graphics — illustration, icon art or a product shot. Count: a set of ~9 in one consistent style. Aspect: 4:3. Look first: [ref 1](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/labs/s-07.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 #e4e4e4, #1b1b1b plus one soft neutral, plenty of empty background, consistent line weight, neutral, desaturated mood. Aspect ratio 4:3. 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.

- **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: low-key, moody directional light with deep shadows. Neutral, desaturated colour grade that sits on #e4e4e4, #1b1b1b. 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)
- **abstract 3D / gradient** — generate `Abstract 3D render: soft, glossy glass-like shapes and a smooth gradient in #636363 and #1b1b1b on a #0e0e0e 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)

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