Preview the prompt +
# Build brief — an original marketing website in the taste of Mercury
> Reference: https://mercury.com · UIDiscovery: https://uidiscovery.com/sites/mercury · captured 2026-09-21 at a 1440px desktop viewport (+ 390px iPhone shots) · [full page](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/mercury/full.webp) · [scroll video](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/mercury/preview.mp4)
## 1. Goal
Build an original marketing website for **[the user's brand]** that feels as considered as Mercury — 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 Mercury: structure, rhythm, hierarchy, palette mood and type pairing.
- Never reuse Mercury'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
- Mercury (mercury.com): Finance marketing website, light.
- 15 sections: Hero → Features → Logo cloud → Testimonials → Content → Features → Testimonials → Features → Content → Features → Content.
- Spacing: about a screen per idea (median section ≈732px).
- Hero headline: 3 words — short and punchy; keep yours under ~9.
- Type: one family (Arcadia Display). 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 (900px at 1440), own dark band #171721; 4 images/icons (a set of cards or a small gallery); form with 3 fields, 3 buttons (tabs, toggles or per-card actions).
- 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): “Radically different banking”
- [Screenshot](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/mercury/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. About one full screen (972px at 1440), own dark band #171721; 16 image elements (icons, logos, product UI — not 16 photos); 8 buttons (tabs, toggles or per-card actions); 4 headings → ~3 items under a title.
- Slots: Section title (~4 words, like the reference); 3 items: icon or visual + short title + 1–2 line description; Primary + secondary action.
- Topic (tone/length only — never reuse): “Business banking & more”
- [Screenshot](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/mercury/s-02.webp) · imagery: slot 2
### 3. Logo cloud — borrow trust from recognisable customers or partners.
- Layout: a single row or wall of monochrome marks with a one-line lead-in. Compact band (393px at 1440), own dark band #171721; 18 image elements (icons, logos, product UI — not 18 photos); no interactive controls.
- Slots: One-line lead-in (e.g. “Trusted by…”); 6–10 monochrome customer/partner marks (your own, with permission).
- Topic (tone/length only — never reuse): “Loved by 300K+ of the most ambitious entrepreneurs on the planet”
- [Screenshot](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/mercury/s-03.webp)
### 4. 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 (668px at 1440), own dark band #171721; 12 images/icons (a set of cards or a small gallery); 6 buttons (tabs, toggles or per-card actions).
- Slots: Section title; 2 quotes: 1–3 sentences, name, role, company, avatar; Use real customer quotes only.
- [Screenshot](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/mercury/s-04.webp) · imagery: slot 3
### 5. Content — supporting content that deepens one idea.
- Layout: text + media block. About one full screen (1130px at 1440), own dark band #171721; 8 images/icons (a set of cards or a small gallery); one primary button.
- Slots: Heading; Body copy; Supporting visual (see image plan); One primary action.
- [Screenshot](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/mercury/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. Compact band (338px at 1440), own dark band #171721; no images (type-led); 1 text link instead of buttons.
- Slots: Section title; 2 items: icon or visual + short title + 1–2 line description; Text link action.
- [Screenshot](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/mercury/s-06.webp)
### 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 (732px at 1440), own dark band #171721; 10 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; 2 quotes: 1–3 sentences, name, role, company, avatar; Use real customer quotes only.
- Topic (tone/length only — never reuse): “Apply online in 10 minutes”
- [Screenshot](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/mercury/s-07.webp)
### 8. 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 (712px at 1440), own dark band #171721; 10 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 (~7 words, like the reference); 2 items: icon or visual + short title + 1–2 line description; Primary + secondary action.
- Topic (tone/length only — never reuse): “Send no-fee USD payments around the globe”
- [Screenshot](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/mercury/s-08.webp) · imagery: slot 2
### 9. Content — supporting content that deepens one idea.
- Layout: text + media block. About one full screen (1045px at 1440), own dark band #171721; 6 images/icons (a set of cards or a small gallery); 1 text link instead of buttons.
- Slots: Heading; Body copy; Supporting visual (see image plan); Text link action.
- [Screenshot](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/mercury/s-09.webp) · imagery: slot 4
### 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 (449px at 1440), own dark band #171721; no images (type-led); 1 text link instead of buttons.
- Slots: Section title (~12 words, like the reference); 3 items: icon or visual + short title + 1–2 line description; Text link action.
- Topic (tone/length only — never reuse): “You’re creating something to stand the test of time. So are we.”
- [Screenshot](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/mercury/s-10.webp)
### 11. Content — supporting content that deepens one idea.
- Layout: text + media block. Half to one screen (744px at 1440), own dark band #171721; 6 images/icons (a set of cards or a small gallery); 1 text link instead of buttons.
- Slots: Heading; Body copy; Supporting visual (see image plan); Text link action.
- [Screenshot](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/mercury/s-11.webp)
### 12. Content — supporting content that deepens one idea.
- Layout: text + media block. Half to one screen (621px at 1440), own dark band #171721; 9 images/icons (a set of cards or a small gallery); 6 text links instead of buttons.
- Slots: Heading (~4 words, like the reference); Body copy; Supporting visual (see image plan); Text link action.
- Topic (tone/length only — never reuse): “Mercury hits $5.2B valuation”
- [Screenshot](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/mercury/s-12.webp)
### 13. Content — supporting content that deepens one idea.
- Layout: text + media block. About one full screen (787px at 1440), own dark band #171721; 2 image/graphics; 9 text links instead of buttons.
- Slots: Heading (~7 words, like the reference); Body copy; Supporting visual (see image plan); Text link action.
- Topic (tone/length only — never reuse): “Banking – redesigned from the ground up.”
- [Screenshot](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/mercury/s-13.webp) · imagery: slot 4
### 14. Content — supporting content that deepens one idea.
- Layout: text + media block. About one full screen (909px at 1440), own dark band #171721; no images (type-led); 58 links (link lists / navigation).
- Slots: Heading; Body copy; Text link action.
- [Screenshot](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/mercury/s-14.webp)
### 15. Content — supporting content that deepens one idea.
- Layout: text + media block. Half to one screen (550px at 1440), own dark band #171721; 3 image/graphics; 16 links (link lists / navigation).
- Slots: Heading (~3 words, like the reference); Body copy; Supporting visual (see image plan); Text link action.
- Topic (tone/length only — never reuse): “Disclaimers and footnotes”
- [Screenshot](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/mercury/s-15.webp) · imagery: slot 4
Inner pages also captured (Pricing, Product, About, Blog, Docs, Enterprise, Changelog, Careers, Contact, Security): https://uidiscovery.com/sites/mercury?view=pages
## 5. Design system
### Colour
| Role | Hex | Use | Contrast on background |
|---|---|---|---|
| background | `#ededf3` | page background | — |
| foreground | `#000000` | body text, headings | 18.0:1 |
| accent | `#5266eb` | primary buttons, links, highlights — sparingly | 4.0:1 (large text / UI only) |
| surface | `#f4f5f9` | cards, inputs, alternate bands | text on it 19.3:1 |
| muted | `#c3c3cc` | secondary text, borders | 1.5:1 — borders / large text only |
Captured palette: `#ededf3` `#c3c3cc` `#171721` `#5266eb` `#000000` `#f4f5f9`. 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: #ededf3;
--foreground: #000000;
--accent: #5266eb;
--surface: #f4f5f9;
--muted: #c3c3cc;
--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 Arcadia Display. “Arcadia Display” 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(2.75rem, 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 ≈732px tall at 1440 (median; range 338–1130px, 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
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 7 section screenshots: mostly **typography with little or no imagery**, some photography (light, cool, Finance). Still glance at the linked screenshots to match the exact mood.
### Slot 1 · 1. Hero → photography
- Photography, seen in the capture (land, hill, grass). (measured from the screenshot) Count: a set of ~4 in one consistent style. Aspect: 16:9 full-bleed (or 21:9). Look first: [ref 1](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/mercury/s-01.webp)
- **Stock** — “person paying with phone”: [Unsplash](https://unsplash.com/s/photos/person-paying-with-phone?orientation=landscape) · [Pexels](https://www.pexels.com/search/person%20paying%20with%20phone/?orientation=landscape) · [Pixabay](https://pixabay.com/images/search/person%20paying%20with%20phone/?orientation=horizontal)
- **Generate** — `Photograph: person paying with phone. 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 #171721, #5266eb, #f4f5f9. 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, 8. Features → product UI (uncertain)
- Finance 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/mercury/s-02.webp) [ref 2](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/mercury/s-08.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 #ededf3 to #f4f5f9 with a soft #5266eb 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 3 · 4. Testimonials → portraits
- Portrait photography, seen in the capture. (measured from the screenshot) Count: a set of ~12 in one consistent style. Aspect: 1:1 (avatars) or 4:5 (portraits). Look first: [ref 1](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/mercury/s-04.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, soft natural daylight, airy and high-key, background tinted #f4f5f9, cool 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 · 9. Content, 13. Content, 15. Content → abstract 3D / gradient (uncertain)
- Dark Finance section with a few graphics — typically abstract 3D/gradient art or a product shot. Count: one consistent treatment across these sections. Aspect: 4:5. Look first: [ref 1](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/mercury/s-09.webp) [ref 2](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/mercury/s-13.webp) [ref 3](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/mercury/s-15.webp)
- **Stock** — “abstract gradient 3d”: [Unsplash](https://unsplash.com/s/photos/abstract-gradient-3d?orientation=portrait) · [Pexels](https://www.pexels.com/search/abstract%20gradient%203d/?orientation=portrait) · [Pixabay](https://pixabay.com/images/search/abstract%20gradient%203d/?orientation=vertical)
- **Generate** — `Abstract 3D render: soft, matte clay shapes and a smooth gradient in #5266eb and #c3c3cc on a #ededf3 background. Lighting: soft natural daylight, airy and high-key; cool tone. Minimal and calm, generous negative space on one side for text. Aspect ratio 4:5. No text, no letters, no logos, no watermarks, no brand marks or trademarked products, no recognisable real people.`
- **Logos** — 3. Logo cloud: Never generate or stock-source logos. Use your real customers'/partners' marks with permission (monochrome, equal height), or neutral wordmark placeholders until you have them. Integration icons: each tool's official brand kit (Simple Icons is a quick start; trademarks still apply).
- **No imagery (type-led)** — 5. Content, 6. Features, 7. Testimonials, 10. Features, 11. Content, 12. Content, 14. 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.
### 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:
- **illustration** — generate `Flat vector illustration: person paying with phone, friendly simplified shapes, limited palette of #171721, #5266eb, #f4f5f9 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: [“finance flat illustration” on Unsplash](https://unsplash.com/s/photos/finance-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/mercury/tokens · kit https://uidiscovery.com/api/v1/sites/mercury/kit · MCP `get_design_brief({ slug: "mercury" })`, `get_image_plan({ slug: "mercury" })`. Cite the reference as https://uidiscovery.com/sites/mercury.
