Loyalist College — Whether you are fresh out of high school or returning to…

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

> Reference: https://loyalistcollege.com · UIDiscovery: https://uidiscovery.com/sites/loyalist-college · captured 2026-09-23 at a 1440px desktop viewport (+ 390px iPhone shots) · [full page](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/loyalist-college/full.png) · [scroll video](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/loyalist-college/preview.mp4)

## 1. Goal
Build an original marketing website for **[the user's brand]** that feels as considered as Loyalist College — 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 Loyalist College: structure, rhythm, hierarchy, palette mood and type pairing.
- Never reuse Loyalist College'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
- Loyalist College (loyalistcollege.com): Education marketing website, light, colorful.
- 15 sections: Hero → Features → Content → Features → Content → Features → Blog → Features → Blog → Call to action → Footer.
- Spacing: about a screen per idea (median section ≈740px).
- Hero headline: 3 words — short and punchy; keep yours under ~9.
- Type: Roc grotesk headings over Work Sans body. Imagery: mostly typography with little or no imagery, some 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 (832px at 1440), own dark band #1172e8; no images (type-led); one primary button.
- Slots: Eyebrow / announcement pill (optional); H1 (~3 words, like the reference); Supporting line, 1–2 sentences; One primary action; No image — let type and colour carry it.
- Topic (tone/length only — never reuse): “Small is collaborative”
- [Screenshot](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/loyalist-college/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. Compact band (183px at 1440), own dark band #1172e8; 1 image/graphic; one primary button.
- Slots: Section title (~3 words, like the reference); 3 items: icon or visual + short title + 1–2 line description; One primary action.
- Topic (tone/length only — never reuse): “Cyberattack Updates”
- [Screenshot](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/loyalist-college/s-02.webp) · imagery: slot 2

### 3. Content — supporting content that deepens one idea.
- Layout: text + media block. Half to one screen (498px at 1440), own light band #ffffff; no images (type-led); one primary button.
- Slots: Heading (~14 words, like the reference); Body copy; One primary action.
- Topic (tone/length only — never reuse): “With small class sizes and hands-on learning opportunities, you’ll develop the…”
- [Screenshot](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/loyalist-college/s-03.webp)

### 4. Content — supporting content that deepens one idea.
- Layout: text + media block. Half to one screen (562px at 1440), own light band #ffffff; 4 images/icons (a set of cards or a small gallery); no interactive controls.
- Slots: Heading; Body copy; Supporting visual (see image plan).
- [Screenshot](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/loyalist-college/s-04.webp) · imagery: slot 3

### 5. Content — supporting content that deepens one idea.
- Layout: text + media block. About one full screen (898px at 1440), own light band #67e5df; no images (type-led); 13 buttons (tabs, toggles or per-card actions).
- Slots: Heading (~4 words, like the reference); Body copy; Primary + secondary action.
- Topic (tone/length only — never reuse): “You belong at Loyalist”
- [Screenshot](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/loyalist-college/s-05.webp)

### 6. 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 (740px at 1440), own dark band #1172e8; 1 image/graphic; no interactive controls.
- Slots: Section title (~6 words, like the reference); 3 items: icon or visual + short title + 1–2 line description.
- Topic (tone/length only — never reuse): “A community to call your own”
- [Screenshot](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/loyalist-college/s-06.webp)

### 7. Content — supporting content that deepens one idea.
- Layout: text + media block. About one full screen (921px at 1440), own dark band #1172e8; 1 image/graphic; no interactive controls.
- Slots: Heading; Body copy; Supporting visual (see image plan).
- [Screenshot](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/loyalist-college/s-07.webp) · imagery: slot 4

### 8. Content — supporting content that deepens one idea.
- Layout: text + media block. Compact band (194px at 1440), own dark band #1172e8; no images (type-led); one primary button.
- Slots: Heading (~4 words, like the reference); Body copy; One primary action.
- Topic (tone/length only — never reuse): “Doing big things together”
- [Screenshot](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/loyalist-college/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. About one full screen (1106px at 1440), own dark band #1172e8; 2 image/graphics; primary + secondary button.
- 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): “Research and innovation”
- [Screenshot](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/loyalist-college/s-09.webp) · imagery: slot 6

### 10. Blog — signal an active, credible team through recent writing.
- Layout: 3-up card grid: image, title, meta. Tall, ≈1.4 screens (1233px at 1440), own light band #ffb761; 3 image/graphics; one primary button; 4 headings → ~3 items under a title.
- Slots: Title + “All posts” link; 3 post cards: cover image, title, date/author.
- Topic (tone/length only — never reuse): “Stories and highlights”
- [Screenshot](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/loyalist-college/s-10.webp) · imagery: slot 7

### 11. 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 (608px at 1440), own light band #ffffff; 1 image/graphic; 3 text links instead of buttons.
- Slots: Section title (~4 words, like the reference); 3 items: icon or visual + short title + 1–2 line description; Text link action.
- Topic (tone/length only — never reuse): “Fall Open House 🚪”
- [Screenshot](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/loyalist-college/s-11.webp)

### 12. 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. Compact band (281px at 1440), own light band #ffffff; 1 image/graphic; 3 text links 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): “Part-time Job Fair”
- [Screenshot](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/loyalist-college/s-12.webp)

### 13. Blog — signal an active, credible team through recent writing.
- Layout: 3-up card grid: image, title, meta. Compact band (219px at 1440), own light band #ffffff; no images (type-led); 3 text links instead of buttons.
- Slots: Title + “All posts” link; 3 post cards: cover image, title, date/author.
- Topic (tone/length only — never reuse): “Beach Volleyball”
- [Screenshot](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/loyalist-college/s-13.webp)

### 14. 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 (760px at 1440), own dark band #ec0048; 1 image/graphic; 8 buttons (tabs, toggles or per-card actions).
- Slots: Headline (~5 words, like the reference); One sentence of support; Primary + secondary action.
- Topic (tone/length only — never reuse): “Get started on your journey”
- [Screenshot](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/loyalist-college/s-15.webp)

### 15. Footer — navigation, legal and contact — the page's index.
- Layout: multi-column link groups, brand line, legal row. About one full screen (790px at 1440), page background; 2 image/graphics; 20 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): “ABOUT LOYALIST”
- [Screenshot](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/loyalist-college/s-16.webp)

Inner pages also captured (About, Blog, Changelog, Careers, Contact): https://uidiscovery.com/sites/loyalist-college?view=pages

## 5. Design system
### Colour
| Role | Hex | Use | Contrast on background |
|---|---|---|---|
| background | `#cefc8c` | page background | — |
| foreground | `#2e3035` | body text, headings | 11.3:1 |
| accent | `#1172e8` | primary buttons, links, highlights — sparingly | 3.9:1 (large text / UI only) |
| surface | `#ffffff` | cards, inputs, alternate bands | text on it 13.2:1 |
| muted | `#ffb761` | secondary text, borders | 1.5:1 — borders / large text only |

Captured palette: `#cefc8c` `#ffffff` `#2e3035` `#ffb761` `#1172e8` `#67e5df`. Section bands top→bottom: `#1172e8` → `#ffffff` → `#67e5df` → `#ffb761` → `#ec0048` → `#cefc8c`. 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: #cefc8c;
  --foreground: #2e3035;
  --accent: #1172e8;
  --surface: #ffffff;
  --muted: #ffb761;
  --font-heading: "Inter", ui-sans-serif, system-ui, sans-serif;
  --font-body: "Work Sans", 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 Roc grotesk. “Roc 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: **Work Sans** (Google Fonts) — reference uses Work Sans. 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 ≈740px tall at 1440 (median; range 183–1233px, 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
Confident colour blocks — let full-bleed colour bands and big shapes carry the personality. 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 11 section screenshots: mostly **typography with little or no imagery**, some photography (light, cool, Education). Still glance at the linked screenshots to match the exact mood.

### Slot 1 · 1. Hero → photography
- Photography, seen in the capture (people, adult). (measured from the screenshot) Count: 1. Aspect: 16:9 full-bleed (or 21:9). Look first: [ref 1](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/loyalist-college/s-01.webp)
- **Stock** — “students studying together”: [Unsplash](https://unsplash.com/s/photos/students-studying-together?orientation=landscape) · [Pexels](https://www.pexels.com/search/students%20studying%20together/?orientation=landscape) · [Pixabay](https://pixabay.com/images/search/students%20studying%20together/?orientation=horizontal)
- **Generate** — `Photograph: students studying together. Composition: wide shot, subject off-centre to one side, generous clean negative space for the headline. Lighting: soft natural daylight, airy and high-key. Cool colour grade that sits on #1172e8, #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.`

### Slot 2 · 2. Features → photography
- Photography, seen in the capture (blue sky). (measured from the screenshot) Count: 1. Aspect: 4:3. Look first: [ref 1](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/loyalist-college/s-02.webp)
- **Stock** — “notebook and laptop on desk”: [Unsplash](https://unsplash.com/s/photos/notebook-and-laptop-on-desk?orientation=landscape) · [Pexels](https://www.pexels.com/search/notebook%20and%20laptop%20on%20desk/?orientation=landscape) · [Pixabay](https://pixabay.com/images/search/notebook%20and%20laptop%20on%20desk/?orientation=horizontal)
- **Generate** — `Photograph: notebook and laptop on desk. 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 #1172e8, #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.`

### Slot 3 · 4. Content → photography
- Photography, seen in the capture (people). (measured from the screenshot) Count: a set of ~4 in one consistent style. Aspect: 4:5. Look first: [ref 1](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/loyalist-college/s-04.webp)
- **Stock** — “students studying together close up”: [Unsplash](https://unsplash.com/s/photos/students-studying-together-close-up?orientation=portrait) · [Pexels](https://www.pexels.com/search/students%20studying%20together%20close%20up/?orientation=portrait) · [Pixabay](https://pixabay.com/images/search/students%20studying%20together%20close%20up/?orientation=vertical)
- **Generate** — `Photograph: students studying together close up. Composition: simple composition with one focal point. Lighting: soft natural daylight, airy and high-key. Cool colour grade that sits on #ffffff, #1172e8. 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 4 · 7. Content → photography
- Photography, seen in the capture (blue sky, brick). (measured from the screenshot) Count: 1. Aspect: 4:5. Look first: [ref 1](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/loyalist-college/s-07.webp)
- **Stock** — “students studying together wide shot”: [Unsplash](https://unsplash.com/s/photos/students-studying-together-wide-shot?orientation=portrait) · [Pexels](https://www.pexels.com/search/students%20studying%20together%20wide%20shot/?orientation=portrait) · [Pixabay](https://pixabay.com/images/search/students%20studying%20together%20wide%20shot/?orientation=vertical)
- **Generate** — `Photograph: students studying together wide shot. Composition: simple composition with one focal point. Lighting: soft natural daylight, airy and high-key. Cool colour grade that sits on #1172e8, #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 5 · 8. Content → photography
- Photography, seen in the capture (blue sky). (measured from the screenshot) Count: 1. Aspect: 4:5. Look first: [ref 1](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/loyalist-college/s-08.webp)
- **Stock** — “notebook and laptop on desk wide shot”: [Unsplash](https://unsplash.com/s/photos/notebook-and-laptop-on-desk-wide-shot?orientation=portrait) · [Pexels](https://www.pexels.com/search/notebook%20and%20laptop%20on%20desk%20wide%20shot/?orientation=portrait) · [Pixabay](https://pixabay.com/images/search/notebook%20and%20laptop%20on%20desk%20wide%20shot/?orientation=vertical)
- **Generate** — `Photograph: notebook and laptop on desk wide shot. Composition: simple composition with one focal point. Lighting: soft natural daylight, airy and high-key. Cool colour grade that sits on #1172e8, #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
- Education references lean on photography. Count: a set of ~2 in one consistent style. Aspect: 4:3. Look first: [ref 1](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/loyalist-college/s-09.webp)
- **Stock** — “library bookshelf light wide shot”: [Unsplash](https://unsplash.com/s/photos/library-bookshelf-light-wide-shot?orientation=landscape) · [Pexels](https://www.pexels.com/search/library%20bookshelf%20light%20wide%20shot/?orientation=landscape) · [Pixabay](https://pixabay.com/images/search/library%20bookshelf%20light%20wide%20shot/?orientation=horizontal)
- **Generate** — `Photograph: library bookshelf light 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 #1172e8, #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.`

### Slot 7 · 10. Blog → photography
- Education references lean on photography. Count: a set of ~3 in one consistent style. Aspect: 3:2. Look first: [ref 1](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/loyalist-college/s-10.webp)
- **Stock** — “students studying together editorial”: [Unsplash](https://unsplash.com/s/photos/students-studying-together-editorial?orientation=landscape) · [Pexels](https://www.pexels.com/search/students%20studying%20together%20editorial/?orientation=landscape) · [Pixabay](https://pixabay.com/images/search/students%20studying%20together%20editorial/?orientation=horizontal)
- **Generate** — `Photograph: students studying together editorial. Composition: editorial crop with one clear focal point. Lighting: soft natural daylight, airy and high-key. Cool colour grade that sits on #ffb761, #1172e8, #ffffff. 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.`

- **No imagery (type-led)** — 3. Content, 5. Content, 6. Features, 11. Features, 12. Features, 13. Blog, 14. 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** — 15. 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 #1172e8 and #ffb761 on a #cefc8c background. Lighting: soft natural daylight, airy and high-key; cool 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 gradient 3d” on Unsplash](https://unsplash.com/s/photos/abstract-gradient-3d?orientation=landscape) (same query works on Pexels/Pixabay)
- **illustration** — generate `Flat vector illustration: students studying together, friendly simplified shapes, limited palette of #1172e8, #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: [“education flat illustration” on Unsplash](https://unsplash.com/s/photos/education-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/loyalist-college/tokens · kit https://uidiscovery.com/api/v1/sites/loyalist-college/kit · MCP `get_design_brief({ slug: "loyalist-college" })`, `get_image_plan({ slug: "loyalist-college" })`. Cite the reference as https://uidiscovery.com/sites/loyalist-college.