MasterClass — MasterClass Online Classes

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

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

## 1. Goal
Build an original marketing website for **[the user's brand]** that feels as considered as MasterClass — 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 MasterClass: structure, rhythm, hierarchy, palette mood and type pairing.
- Never reuse MasterClass'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
- MasterClass (masterclass.com): Education marketing website, dark.
- 11 sections: Team → Showcase → Content → Features → Call to action → Testimonials → Showcase → Content → FAQ → Footer.
- Spacing: about a screen per idea (median section ≈781px).
- Type: one family (Sohne Schmal). Imagery: mostly photography.

## 4. Page structure (top to bottom)

### 1. Team — put faces behind the product.
- Layout: portrait grid with name and role. About one full screen (831px at 1440), own dark band #000000; 145 image elements (photo collage/gallery + small graphics); form with 8 fields, 10 buttons (tabs, toggles or per-card actions).
- Slots: Title; Portrait grid: name, role; Hiring link (optional).
- Topic (tone/length only — never reuse): “LEARN FROM THE BEST, BE YOUR BEST.”
- [Screenshot](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/masterclass/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. About one full screen (970px at 1440), own dark band #000000; 6 images/icons (a set of cards or a small gallery); primary + secondary button.
- Slots: Heading (~9 words, like the reference); Body copy; Supporting visual (see image plan); Primary + secondary action.
- Topic (tone/length only — never reuse): “Meet the world's best. New classes added every month.”
- [Screenshot](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/masterclass/s-03.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 (958px at 1440), own dark band #000000; 38 image elements (photo collage/gallery + small graphics); 20 buttons (tabs, toggles or per-card actions), 12 links (link lists / navigation).
- Slots: Heading (~8 words, like the reference); Body copy; Supporting visual (see image plan); Primary + secondary action.
- Topic (tone/length only — never reuse): “A dose of inspiration, whenever you need it.”
- [Screenshot](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/masterclass/s-04.webp) · imagery: slot 3

### 4. Content — supporting content that deepens one idea.
- Layout: text + media block. Compact band (256px at 1440), own dark band #000000; 2 image/graphics; 4 buttons (tabs, toggles or per-card actions).
- Slots: Heading; Body copy; Supporting visual (see image plan); Primary + secondary action.
- [Screenshot](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/masterclass/s-05.webp) · imagery: slot 4

### 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 (488px at 1440), own dark band #000000; 3 image/graphics; one primary button.
- Slots: Section title (~7 words, like the reference); 3 items: icon or visual + short title + 1–2 line description; One primary action.
- Topic (tone/length only — never reuse): “The Fastest Way to Advance Your Career”
- [Screenshot](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/masterclass/s-06.webp) · imagery: slot 5

### 6. 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 (460px at 1440), own dark band #000000; 3 image/graphics; primary + secondary button.
- Slots: Headline (~4 words, like the reference); One sentence of support; Primary + secondary action.
- Topic (tone/length only — never reuse): “LEVEL UP YOUR TEAM”
- [Screenshot](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/masterclass/s-07.webp) · imagery: slot 6

### 7. Testimonials — let real customers make the case in their own words.
- Layout: quote cards or a featured quote with name, role and avatar. Half to one screen (592px at 1440), own dark band #000000; 33 image elements (photo collage/gallery + small graphics); 14 buttons (tabs, toggles or per-card actions).
- Slots: Section title; 3 quotes: 1–3 sentences, name, role, company, avatar; Use real customer quotes only.
- Topic (tone/length only — never reuse): “See what our members are saying.”
- [Screenshot](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/masterclass/s-08.webp) · imagery: slot 7

### 8. Showcase — show the product (or the result) itself as proof.
- Layout: a large framed visual with a short caption or heading. Tall, ≈1.6 screens (1440px at 1440), own dark band #000000; 4 images/icons (a set of cards or a small gallery); 28 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): “Choose a category to watch a class highlight”
- [Screenshot](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/masterclass/s-09.webp) · imagery: slot 8

### 9. Content — supporting content that deepens one idea.
- Layout: text + media block. Compact band (201px at 1440), own dark band #000000; no images (type-led); inline form (2 fields, e.g. email capture), one primary button.
- Slots: Heading (~5 words, like the reference); Body copy; One primary action.
- Topic (tone/length only — never reuse): “Try some of our classes”
- [Screenshot](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/masterclass/s-10.webp)

### 10. 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 (928px at 1440), own dark band #000000; 8 images/icons (a set of cards or a small gallery); 8 buttons (tabs, toggles or per-card actions); 3 headings → ~2 items under a title.
- Slots: Title; 5 question/answer pairs; Link to support/contact.
- Topic (tone/length only — never reuse): “Frequently asked questions”
- [Screenshot](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/masterclass/s-11.webp)

### 11. Footer — navigation, legal and contact — the page's index.
- Layout: multi-column link groups, brand line, legal row. About one full screen (781px at 1440), own dark band #000000; 22 image elements (photo collage/gallery + small graphics); inline form (2 fields, e.g. email capture), one primary button, 36 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): “Join the inner circle.”
- [Screenshot](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/masterclass/s-12.webp)

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

## 5. Design system
### Colour
| Role | Hex | Use | Contrast on background |
|---|---|---|---|
| background | `#0d0d0e` | page background | — |
| foreground | `#ffffff` | body text, headings | 19.4:1 |
| accent | `#e32652` | primary buttons, links, highlights — sparingly | 4.3:1 (large text / UI only) |
| surface | `#000000` | cards, inputs, alternate bands | text on it 21.0:1 |
| muted | `#43454c` | secondary text, borders | 2.0:1 — borders / large text only |

Captured palette: `#0d0d0e` `#000000` `#222326` `#e32652` `#ffffff` `#43454c`. Roles are assigned automatically — sanity-check them against the screenshot. Keep the palette's *mood* (dark, warm) and proportions; swap the accent for the user's brand colour.

### Tokens
```css
:root {
  --background: #0d0d0e;
  --foreground: #ffffff;
  --accent: #e32652;
  --surface: #000000;
  --muted: #43454c;
  --font-heading: "Inter Tight", 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 Tight** (Google Fonts) — reference uses Sohne Schmal. “Sohne Schmal” is a licensed face — use Inter Tight (or Hanken Grotesk) as the free stand-in, or license the original.
- 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 ≈781px tall at 1440 (median; range 201–1440px, 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

Measured from 7 section screenshots: mostly **photography** (dark, warm, Education). Still glance at the linked screenshots to match the exact mood.

### Slot 1 · 1. Team → portraits
- Portrait photography, seen in the capture. (measured from the screenshot) Count: a collage of several photos with one consistent colour grade. Aspect: 1:1 (avatars) or 4:5 (portraits). Look first: [ref 1](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/masterclass/s-01.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 student, head-and-shoulders, eye level, same backdrop for everyone, low-key, moody directional light with deep shadows, background tinted #000000, warm 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 2 · 2. Showcase → photography
- Photography, seen in the capture (people). (measured from the screenshot) Count: a set of ~6 in one consistent style. Aspect: 16:10. Look first: [ref 1](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/masterclass/s-03.webp)
- **Stock** — “notebook and laptop on desk dark”: [Unsplash](https://unsplash.com/s/photos/notebook-and-laptop-on-desk-dark?orientation=landscape) · [Pexels](https://www.pexels.com/search/notebook%20and%20laptop%20on%20desk%20dark/?orientation=landscape) · [Pixabay](https://pixabay.com/images/search/notebook%20and%20laptop%20on%20desk%20dark/?orientation=horizontal)
- **Generate** — `Photograph: notebook and laptop on desk. Composition: centred subject with even space around it. Lighting: low-key, moody directional light with deep shadows. Warm colour grade that sits on #000000, #e32652. 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 collage of several photos with one consistent colour grade. Aspect: 16:10. Look first: [ref 1](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/masterclass/s-04.webp)
- **Stock** — “library bookshelf light dark”: [Unsplash](https://unsplash.com/s/photos/library-bookshelf-light-dark?orientation=landscape) · [Pexels](https://www.pexels.com/search/library%20bookshelf%20light%20dark/?orientation=landscape) · [Pixabay](https://pixabay.com/images/search/library%20bookshelf%20light%20dark/?orientation=horizontal)
- **Generate** — `Photograph: library bookshelf light. Composition: centred subject with even space around it. Lighting: low-key, moody directional light with deep shadows. Warm colour grade that sits on #000000, #e32652. 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. Content → photography
- Education references lean on photography. Count: a set of ~2 in one consistent style. Aspect: 4:5. Look first: [ref 1](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/masterclass/s-05.webp)
- **Stock** — “students studying together close up dark”: [Unsplash](https://unsplash.com/s/photos/students-studying-together-close-up-dark?orientation=portrait) · [Pexels](https://www.pexels.com/search/students%20studying%20together%20close%20up%20dark/?orientation=portrait) · [Pixabay](https://pixabay.com/images/search/students%20studying%20together%20close%20up%20dark/?orientation=vertical)
- **Generate** — `Photograph: students studying together close up. Composition: simple composition with one focal point. Lighting: low-key, moody directional light with deep shadows. Warm colour grade that sits on #000000, #e32652. 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 · 5. Features → photography
- Photography, seen in the capture (art, decoration, frame). (measured from the screenshot) Count: a set of ~3 in one consistent style. Aspect: 4:3. Look first: [ref 1](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/masterclass/s-06.webp)
- **Stock** — “notebook and laptop on desk close up dark”: [Unsplash](https://unsplash.com/s/photos/notebook-and-laptop-on-desk-close-up-dark?orientation=landscape) · [Pexels](https://www.pexels.com/search/notebook%20and%20laptop%20on%20desk%20close%20up%20dark/?orientation=landscape) · [Pixabay](https://pixabay.com/images/search/notebook%20and%20laptop%20on%20desk%20close%20up%20dark/?orientation=horizontal)
- **Generate** — `Photograph: notebook and laptop on desk close up. Composition: tight crop, identical framing and background across the whole set. Lighting: low-key, moody directional light with deep shadows. Warm colour grade that sits on #000000, #e32652. 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 6 · 6. Call to action → photography
- Photography, seen in the capture (people). (measured from the screenshot) Count: a set of ~3 in one consistent style. Aspect: 21:9 (background). Look first: [ref 1](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/masterclass/s-07.webp)
- **Stock** — “library bookshelf light close up dark”: [Unsplash](https://unsplash.com/s/photos/library-bookshelf-light-close-up-dark?orientation=landscape) · [Pexels](https://www.pexels.com/search/library%20bookshelf%20light%20close%20up%20dark/?orientation=landscape) · [Pixabay](https://pixabay.com/images/search/library%20bookshelf%20light%20close%20up%20dark/?orientation=horizontal)
- **Generate** — `Photograph: library bookshelf light close up. Composition: low-detail texture so overlaid text stays readable. Lighting: low-key, moody directional light with deep shadows. Warm colour grade that sits on #000000, #e32652. Photorealistic, natural textures, shallow depth of field, 35mm lens. Aspect ratio 21:9. No text, no letters, no logos, no watermarks, no brand marks or trademarked products, no recognisable real people.`

### Slot 7 · 7. Testimonials → portraits
- Portrait photography, seen in the capture. (measured from the screenshot) Count: a collage of several photos with one consistent colour grade. Aspect: 1:1 (avatars) or 4:5 (portraits). Look first: [ref 1](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/masterclass/s-08.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 student, head-and-shoulders, eye level, plain soft background, low-key, moody directional light with deep shadows, background tinted #000000, warm 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 8 · 8. Showcase → photography
- Photography, seen in the capture (people). (measured from the screenshot) Count: a set of ~4 in one consistent style. Aspect: 16:10. Look first: [ref 1](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/masterclass/s-09.webp)
- **Stock** — “notebook and laptop on desk wide shot dark”: [Unsplash](https://unsplash.com/s/photos/notebook-and-laptop-on-desk-wide-shot-dark?orientation=landscape) · [Pexels](https://www.pexels.com/search/notebook%20and%20laptop%20on%20desk%20wide%20shot%20dark/?orientation=landscape) · [Pixabay](https://pixabay.com/images/search/notebook%20and%20laptop%20on%20desk%20wide%20shot%20dark/?orientation=horizontal)
- **Generate** — `Photograph: notebook and laptop on desk wide shot. Composition: centred subject with even space around it. Lighting: low-key, moody directional light with deep shadows. Warm colour grade that sits on #000000, #e32652. 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.`

- **No imagery (type-led)** — 9. 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** — 10. FAQ, 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, glossy glass-like shapes and a smooth gradient in #e32652 and #43454c on a #0d0d0e background. Lighting: low-key, moody directional light with deep shadows; warm 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)
- **illustration** — generate `Flat vector illustration: students studying together, friendly simplified shapes, limited palette of #000000, #e32652 plus one soft neutral, plenty of empty background, consistent line weight, warm 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/masterclass/tokens · kit https://uidiscovery.com/api/v1/sites/masterclass/kit · MCP `get_design_brief({ slug: "masterclass" })`, `get_image_plan({ slug: "masterclass" })`. Cite the reference as https://uidiscovery.com/sites/masterclass.