Yardzen — The No

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

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

## 1. Goal
Build an original marketing website for **[the user's brand]** that feels as considered as Yardzen — 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 Yardzen: structure, rhythm, hierarchy, palette mood and type pairing.
- Never reuse Yardzen'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
- Yardzen (yardzen.com): Lifestyle marketing website, dark.
- 13 sections: Hero → Showcase → Pricing → Features → Content → Call to action → Content → Features → Showcase → Testimonials → Statement → Footer.
- Spacing: about a screen per idea (median section ≈664px).
- Hero headline: 6 words — short and punchy; keep yours under ~9.
- Type: one family (Roboto). Imagery: mostly photography, some typography with little or no imagery.

## 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 (768px at 1440), own light band #f3f3ed; 8 images/icons (a set of cards or a small gallery); 9 buttons (tabs, toggles or per-card actions).
- Slots: Eyebrow / announcement pill (optional); H1 (~6 words, like the reference); Supporting line, 1–2 sentences; Primary + secondary action; Hero visual (see image plan).
- Topic (tone/length only — never reuse): “How Well-Designed Yards Come to Life”
- [Screenshot](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/yardzen/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 (807px at 1440), own light band #f3f3ed; 12 images/icons (a set of cards or a small gallery); one primary button, 12 links (link lists / navigation).
- Slots: Heading (~8 words, like the reference); Body copy; Supporting visual (see image plan); One primary action.
- Topic (tone/length only — never reuse): “The Smartest Path to a Yard You Love”
- [Screenshot](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/yardzen/s-02.webp) · imagery: slot 2

### 3. Pricing — help the visitor pick a plan with minimal thinking.
- Layout: plan cards side by side, one highlighted, with a billing toggle if needed. About one full screen (867px at 1440), own light band #f3f3ed; 7 images/icons (a set of cards or a small gallery); 4 buttons (tabs, toggles or per-card actions); 6 headings → ~5 items under a title.
- Slots: Title + billing toggle; 4 plan cards: name, price, 4–6 features, action; Highlight one recommended plan; Small print (tax, trial).
- Topic (tone/length only — never reuse): “Yardzen Design Packages”
- [Screenshot](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/yardzen/s-03.webp)

### 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 (640px at 1440), own light band #f3f3ed; 2 image/graphics; 1 text link instead of buttons.
- Slots: Section title (~5 words, like the reference); 2 items: icon or visual + short title + 1–2 line description; Text link action.
- Topic (tone/length only — never reuse): “Discover the 2026 Yardzen Awards”
- [Screenshot](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/yardzen/s-04.webp) · imagery: slot 3

### 5. Content — supporting content that deepens one idea.
- Layout: text + media block. Half to one screen (664px at 1440), own light band #f3f3ed; 6 images/icons (a set of cards or a small gallery); 3 buttons (tabs, toggles or per-card actions).
- Slots: Heading (~3 words, like the reference); Body copy; Supporting visual (see image plan); Primary + secondary action.
- Topic (tone/length only — never reuse): “Why Yardzen?”
- [Screenshot](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/yardzen/s-05.webp) · imagery: slot 4

### 6. Call to action — close the page with one clear next step.
- Layout: short headline + one primary action on a contrasting band. Compact band (386px at 1440), own light band #f3f3ed; 1 image/graphic; 1 text link instead of buttons.
- Slots: Headline (~3 words, like the reference); One sentence of support; Text link action.
- Topic (tone/length only — never reuse): “Have Questions?”
- [Screenshot](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/yardzen/s-06.webp) · imagery: slot 5

### 7. Content — supporting content that deepens one idea.
- Layout: text + media block. Half to one screen (707px at 1440), own light band #f3f3ed; 22 image elements (photo collage/gallery + small graphics); no interactive controls.
- Slots: Heading (~4 words, like the reference); Body copy; Supporting visual (see image plan).
- Topic (tone/length only — never reuse): “A Fundamentally Better Way”
- [Screenshot](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/yardzen/s-07.webp) · imagery: slot 6

### 8. Content — supporting content that deepens one idea.
- Layout: text + media block. Compact band (374px at 1440), own light band #f3f3ed; 2 image/graphics; 16 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/yardzen/s-08.webp) · imagery: slot 7

### 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. Half to one screen (709px at 1440), own light band #f3f3ed; 24 image elements (photo collage/gallery + small graphics); 24 buttons (tabs, toggles or per-card actions).
- 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): “Your yard, your way.”
- [Screenshot](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/yardzen/s-09.webp) · imagery: slot 8

### 10. 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 (1135px at 1440), own light band #f3f3ed; 3 image/graphics; 7 buttons (tabs, toggles or per-card actions).
- Slots: Heading (~4 words, like the reference); Body copy; Supporting visual (see image plan); Primary + secondary action.
- Topic (tone/length only — never reuse): “Explore Before & Afters”
- [Screenshot](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/yardzen/s-10.webp)

### 11. 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 (619px at 1440), own light band #f3f3ed; 11 images/icons (a set of cards or a small gallery); 9 buttons (tabs, toggles or per-card actions).
- Slots: Section title; 6 quotes: 1–3 sentences, name, role, company, avatar; Use real customer quotes only.
- Topic (tone/length only — never reuse): “Yardzen Yards Across the Country”
- [Screenshot](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/yardzen/s-11.webp)

### 12. Statement — a large-type moment that sets tone and pace.
- Layout: oversized typography with lots of space. Half to one screen (632px at 1440), own light band #f3f3ed; 2 image/graphics; one primary button.
- Slots: Heading (~5 words, like the reference); Body copy; Supporting visual (see image plan); One primary action.
- Topic (tone/length only — never reuse): “Live a better life outside”
- [Screenshot](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/yardzen/s-12.webp)

### 13. Footer — navigation, legal and contact — the page's index.
- Layout: multi-column link groups, brand line, legal row. Compact band (360px at 1440), own light band #f3f3ed; 11 images/icons (a set of cards or a small gallery); inline form (1 field, e.g. email capture), 26 links (link lists / navigation).
- Slots: Brand mark + one-line description; 3–5 link columns; Newsletter or contact (optional); Legal row + social icons.
- [Screenshot](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/yardzen/s-13.webp)

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

## 5. Design system
### Colour
| Role | Hex | Use | Contrast on background |
|---|---|---|---|
| background | `#323232` | page background | — |
| foreground | `#ffffff` | body text, headings | 12.8:1 |
| accent | `#3b482f` | primary buttons, links, highlights — sparingly | 1.3:1 ⚠ not for text; use as a fill with #ffffff text (9.7:1) |
| surface | `#010101` | cards, inputs, alternate bands | text on it 20.9:1 |
| muted | `#dbfeb8` | secondary text, borders | 11.5:1 |

Captured palette: `#323232` `#3b482f` `#ffffff` `#010101` `#e5ffcb` `#dbfeb8`. 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: #323232;
  --foreground: #ffffff;
  --accent: #3b482f;
  --surface: #010101;
  --muted: #dbfeb8;
  --font-heading: "Roboto", ui-sans-serif, system-ui, sans-serif;
  --font-body: "Roboto", 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: **Roboto** (Google Fonts) — reference uses Roboto. Free to use — load it directly.
- 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 ≈664px tall at 1440 (median; range 360–1135px, 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. Dark-first; for a light mode swap background ↔ foreground, lighten the surface, keep the accent and re-check contrast.

## 6. Imagery plan

Measured from 6 section screenshots: mostly **photography**, some typography with little or no imagery (dark, neutral, desaturated, Lifestyle). Still glance at the linked screenshots to match the exact mood.

### Slot 1 · 1. Hero → photography
- Photography, seen in the capture (plant, decorative plant, conveyance). (measured from the screenshot) Count: a set of ~8 in one consistent style. Aspect: 3:2. Look first: [ref 1](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/yardzen/s-01.webp)
- **Stock** — “cozy home interior morning light dark”: [Unsplash](https://unsplash.com/s/photos/cozy-home-interior-morning-light-dark?orientation=landscape) · [Pexels](https://www.pexels.com/search/cozy%20home%20interior%20morning%20light%20dark/?orientation=landscape) · [Pixabay](https://pixabay.com/images/search/cozy%20home%20interior%20morning%20light%20dark/?orientation=horizontal)
- **Generate** — `Photograph: cozy home interior morning light. 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 #f3f3ed, #3b482f, #010101. 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.`

### Slot 2 · 2. Showcase → photography
- Photography, seen in the capture (people). (measured from the screenshot) Count: a set of ~12 in one consistent style. Aspect: 16:10. Look first: [ref 1](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/yardzen/s-02.webp)
- **Stock** — “hands holding coffee cup dark”: [Unsplash](https://unsplash.com/s/photos/hands-holding-coffee-cup-dark?orientation=landscape) · [Pexels](https://www.pexels.com/search/hands%20holding%20coffee%20cup%20dark/?orientation=landscape) · [Pixabay](https://pixabay.com/images/search/hands%20holding%20coffee%20cup%20dark/?orientation=horizontal)
- **Generate** — `Photograph: hands holding coffee cup. Composition: centred subject with even space around it. Lighting: low-key, moody directional light with deep shadows. Neutral, desaturated colour grade that sits on #f3f3ed, #3b482f, #010101. 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 · 4. Features → photography
- Photography, seen in the capture (furniture, sofa). (measured from the screenshot) Count: a set of ~2 in one consistent style. Aspect: 4:3. Look first: [ref 1](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/yardzen/s-04.webp)
- **Stock** — “cozy home interior morning light close up dark”: [Unsplash](https://unsplash.com/s/photos/cozy-home-interior-morning-light-close-up-dark?orientation=landscape) · [Pexels](https://www.pexels.com/search/cozy%20home%20interior%20morning%20light%20close%20up%20dark/?orientation=landscape) · [Pixabay](https://pixabay.com/images/search/cozy%20home%20interior%20morning%20light%20close%20up%20dark/?orientation=horizontal)
- **Generate** — `Photograph: cozy home interior morning light close up. Composition: tight crop, identical framing and background across the whole set. Lighting: low-key, moody directional light with deep shadows. Neutral, desaturated colour grade that sits on #f3f3ed, #3b482f, #010101. 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 4 · 5. Content → photography
- Lifestyle references lean on photography. Count: a set of ~6 in one consistent style. Aspect: 4:5. Look first: [ref 1](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/yardzen/s-05.webp)
- **Stock** — “hands holding coffee cup close up dark”: [Unsplash](https://unsplash.com/s/photos/hands-holding-coffee-cup-close-up-dark?orientation=portrait) · [Pexels](https://www.pexels.com/search/hands%20holding%20coffee%20cup%20close%20up%20dark/?orientation=portrait) · [Pixabay](https://pixabay.com/images/search/hands%20holding%20coffee%20cup%20close%20up%20dark/?orientation=vertical)
- **Generate** — `Photograph: hands holding coffee cup close up. Composition: simple composition with one focal point. Lighting: low-key, moody directional light with deep shadows. Neutral, desaturated colour grade that sits on #f3f3ed, #3b482f, #010101. 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 · 6. Call to action → photography
- Photography, seen in the capture (people, adult). (measured from the screenshot) Count: 1. Aspect: 21:9 (background). Look first: [ref 1](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/yardzen/s-06.webp)
- **Stock** — “plants on windowsill close up dark”: [Unsplash](https://unsplash.com/s/photos/plants-on-windowsill-close-up-dark?orientation=landscape) · [Pexels](https://www.pexels.com/search/plants%20on%20windowsill%20close%20up%20dark/?orientation=landscape) · [Pixabay](https://pixabay.com/images/search/plants%20on%20windowsill%20close%20up%20dark/?orientation=horizontal)
- **Generate** — `Photograph: plants on windowsill close up. Composition: low-detail texture so overlaid text stays readable. Lighting: low-key, moody directional light with deep shadows. Neutral, desaturated colour grade that sits on #f3f3ed, #3b482f, #010101. 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 6 · 7. Content → photography
- Lifestyle references lean on photography. Count: a collage of several photos with one consistent colour grade. Aspect: 4:5. Look first: [ref 1](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/yardzen/s-07.webp)
- **Stock** — “cozy home interior morning light wide shot dark”: [Unsplash](https://unsplash.com/s/photos/cozy-home-interior-morning-light-wide-shot-dark?orientation=portrait) · [Pexels](https://www.pexels.com/search/cozy%20home%20interior%20morning%20light%20wide%20shot%20dark/?orientation=portrait) · [Pixabay](https://pixabay.com/images/search/cozy%20home%20interior%20morning%20light%20wide%20shot%20dark/?orientation=vertical)
- **Generate** — `Photograph: cozy home interior morning light wide shot. Composition: simple composition with one focal point. Lighting: low-key, moody directional light with deep shadows. Neutral, desaturated colour grade that sits on #f3f3ed, #3b482f, #010101. 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 7 · 8. Content → photography
- Lifestyle 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/yardzen/s-08.webp)
- **Stock** — “hands holding coffee cup wide shot dark”: [Unsplash](https://unsplash.com/s/photos/hands-holding-coffee-cup-wide-shot-dark?orientation=portrait) · [Pexels](https://www.pexels.com/search/hands%20holding%20coffee%20cup%20wide%20shot%20dark/?orientation=portrait) · [Pixabay](https://pixabay.com/images/search/hands%20holding%20coffee%20cup%20wide%20shot%20dark/?orientation=vertical)
- **Generate** — `Photograph: hands holding coffee cup wide shot. Composition: simple composition with one focal point. Lighting: low-key, moody directional light with deep shadows. Neutral, desaturated colour grade that sits on #f3f3ed, #3b482f, #010101. 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 8 · 9. Features → photography
- Lifestyle references lean on photography. Count: a collage of several photos with one consistent colour grade. Aspect: 4:3. Look first: [ref 1](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/yardzen/s-09.webp)
- **Stock** — “plants on windowsill wide shot dark”: [Unsplash](https://unsplash.com/s/photos/plants-on-windowsill-wide-shot-dark?orientation=landscape) · [Pexels](https://www.pexels.com/search/plants%20on%20windowsill%20wide%20shot%20dark/?orientation=landscape) · [Pixabay](https://pixabay.com/images/search/plants%20on%20windowsill%20wide%20shot%20dark/?orientation=horizontal)
- **Generate** — `Photograph: plants on windowsill wide shot. Composition: tight crop, identical framing and background across the whole set. Lighting: low-key, moody directional light with deep shadows. Neutral, desaturated colour grade that sits on #f3f3ed, #3b482f, #010101. 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.`

- **Icons** — 3. Pricing, 13. 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.
- **No imagery (type-led)** — 10. Showcase, 12. Statement: 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:
- **abstract 3D / gradient** — generate `Abstract 3D render: soft, glossy glass-like shapes and a smooth gradient in #3b482f and #dbfeb8 on a #323232 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 3:2. 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: cozy home interior morning light, friendly simplified shapes, limited palette of #f3f3ed, #3b482f, #010101 plus one soft neutral, plenty of empty background, consistent line weight, neutral, desaturated mood. Aspect ratio 3:2. No text, no letters, no logos, no watermarks, no brand marks or trademarked products, no recognisable real people.` · stock: [“lifestyle flat illustration” on Unsplash](https://unsplash.com/s/photos/lifestyle-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/yardzen/tokens · kit https://uidiscovery.com/api/v1/sites/yardzen/kit · MCP `get_design_brief({ slug: "yardzen" })`, `get_image_plan({ slug: "yardzen" })`. Cite the reference as https://uidiscovery.com/sites/yardzen.