Preview the prompt +
# Build brief — an original marketing website in the taste of Sidley Austin
> Reference: https://www.sidley.com · UIDiscovery: https://uidiscovery.com/sites/sidley-austin · captured 2026-09-23 at a 1440px desktop viewport (+ 390px iPhone shots) · [full page](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/sidley-austin/full.webp) · [scroll video](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/sidley-austin/preview.mp4)
## 1. Goal
Build an original marketing website for **[the user's brand]** that feels as considered as Sidley Austin — 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 Sidley Austin: structure, rhythm, hierarchy, palette mood and type pairing.
- Never reuse Sidley Austin'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
- Sidley Austin (sidley.com): Finance marketing website, light.
- 8 sections: Statement → Features → Content → Footer.
- Spacing: short, dense bands (median section ≈343px).
- Type: one family (Avenir65). Imagery: mostly typography with little or no imagery, some abstract 3D / gradient art.
## 4. Page structure (top to bottom)
### 1. Statement — a large-type moment that sets tone and pace.
- Layout: oversized typography with lots of space. About one full screen (785px at 1440), page background; 9 images/icons (a set of cards or a small gallery); 6 buttons (tabs, toggles or per-card actions).
- Slots: Heading (~13 words, like the reference); Body copy; Supporting visual (see image plan); Primary + secondary action.
- Topic (tone/length only — never reuse): “Sidley Represents Clearlake Capital Group, L.P. and Chelsea Football Club in…”
- [Screenshot](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/sidley-austin/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 (771px at 1440), page background; 7 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: 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): “Latest FROM SIDLEY”
- [Screenshot](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/sidley-austin/s-02.webp) · imagery: slot 2
### 3. Content — supporting content that deepens one idea.
- Layout: text + media block. Compact band (162px at 1440), page background; 1 image/graphic; 1 text link instead of buttons.
- Slots: Heading; Body copy; Supporting visual (see image plan); Text link action.
- [Screenshot](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/sidley-austin/s-03.webp)
### 4. Content — supporting content that deepens one idea.
- Layout: text + media block. Compact band (162px at 1440), page background; 1 image/graphic; 1 text link instead of buttons.
- Slots: Heading; Body copy; Supporting visual (see image plan); Text link action.
- [Screenshot](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/sidley-austin/s-04.webp)
### 5. Content — supporting content that deepens one idea.
- Layout: text + media block. Compact band (162px at 1440), page background; 1 image/graphic; 1 text link instead of buttons.
- Slots: Heading; Body copy; Supporting visual (see image plan); Text link action.
- [Screenshot](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/sidley-austin/s-05.webp)
### 6. Content — supporting content that deepens one idea.
- Layout: text + media block. Compact band (162px at 1440), page background; 1 image/graphic; 1 text link instead of buttons.
- Slots: Heading; Body copy; Supporting visual (see image plan); Text link action.
- [Screenshot](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/sidley-austin/s-06.webp)
### 7. Content — supporting content that deepens one idea.
- Layout: text + media block. Half to one screen (530px at 1440), page background; 3 image/graphics; 1 text link instead of buttons.
- Slots: Heading (~11 words, like the reference); Body copy; Supporting visual (see image plan); Text link action.
- Topic (tone/length only — never reuse): “Sidley Honored as a 2025 LearningElite Organization by Chief Learning Officer”
- [Screenshot](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/sidley-austin/s-07.webp) · imagery: slot 3
### 8. Footer — navigation, legal and contact — the page's index.
- Layout: multi-column link groups, brand line, legal row. Compact band (343px at 1440), page background; 6 images/icons (a set of cards or a small gallery); one primary button, 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): “Stay Connected”
- [Screenshot](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/sidley-austin/s-10.webp)
Inner pages also captured (About, Blog, Careers, Contact): https://uidiscovery.com/sites/sidley-austin?view=pages
## 5. Design system
### Colour
| Role | Hex | Use | Contrast on background |
|---|---|---|---|
| background | `#f9f9f9` | page background | — |
| foreground | `#333333` | body text, headings | 12.0:1 |
| accent | `#b55746` | primary buttons, links, highlights — sparingly | 4.5:1 |
| surface | `#ffffff` | cards, inputs, alternate bands | text on it 12.6:1 |
| muted | `#e6e6e6` | secondary text, borders | 1.2:1 — borders / large text only |
Captured palette: `#f9f9f9` `#b55746` `#ffffff` `#344659` `#333333` `#e6e6e6`. Roles are assigned automatically — sanity-check them against the screenshot. Keep the palette's *mood* (light, warm) and proportions; swap the accent for the user's brand colour.
### Tokens
```css
:root {
--background: #f9f9f9;
--foreground: #333333;
--accent: #b55746;
--surface: #ffffff;
--muted: #e6e6e6;
--font-heading: "Nunito Sans", ui-sans-serif, system-ui, sans-serif;
--font-body: "Nunito 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: **Nunito Sans** (Google Fonts) — reference uses Avenir65. “Avenir65” is a licensed face — use Nunito Sans (or Mulish) 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 ≈343px tall at 1440 (median; range 162–785px, captures cap at 1700px) — short, dense bands. Start with 64–80px 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 6 section screenshots: mostly **typography with little or no imagery**, some abstract 3D / gradient art (light, warm, Finance). Still glance at the linked screenshots to match the exact mood.
### Slot 1 · 1. Statement → abstract 3D / gradient
- Abstract art — gradient, 3D or atmospheric graphics, seen in the capture. (measured from the screenshot) Count: a set of ~9 in one consistent style. Aspect: 4:5. Look first: [ref 1](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/sidley-austin/s-01.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 #b55746 and #e6e6e6 on a #f9f9f9 background. Lighting: soft natural daylight, airy and high-key; warm 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.`
### Slot 2 · 2. Features → product UI (uncertain)
- Finance features with 7 image elements — most likely product UI screenshots/mockups plus icons. Count: a set of ~7 in one consistent style. Aspect: 4:3. Look first: [ref 1](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/sidley-austin/s-02.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 #f9f9f9 to #ffffff with a soft #b55746 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 · 7. Content → photography
- Photography, seen in the capture (people). (measured from the screenshot) Count: a set of ~3 in one consistent style. Aspect: 4:5. Look first: [ref 1](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/sidley-austin/s-07.webp)
- **Stock** — “person paying with phone wide shot”: [Unsplash](https://unsplash.com/s/photos/person-paying-with-phone-wide-shot?orientation=portrait) · [Pexels](https://www.pexels.com/search/person%20paying%20with%20phone%20wide%20shot/?orientation=portrait) · [Pixabay](https://pixabay.com/images/search/person%20paying%20with%20phone%20wide%20shot/?orientation=vertical)
- **Generate** — `Photograph: person paying with phone wide shot. Composition: simple composition with one focal point. Lighting: soft natural daylight, airy and high-key. Warm colour grade that sits on #f9f9f9, #b55746, #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.`
- **No imagery (type-led)** — 3. Content, 4. Content, 5. Content, 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** — 8. 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:
- **illustration** — generate `Flat vector illustration: person paying with phone, friendly simplified shapes, limited palette of #f9f9f9, #b55746, #ffffff plus one soft neutral, plenty of empty background, consistent line weight, warm mood. Aspect ratio 3:2. 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/sidley-austin/tokens · kit https://uidiscovery.com/api/v1/sites/sidley-austin/kit · MCP `get_design_brief({ slug: "sidley-austin" })`, `get_image_plan({ slug: "sidley-austin" })`. Cite the reference as https://uidiscovery.com/sites/sidley-austin.
