name: canvas-design
description: Create beautiful visual art in .png and .pdf documents using design philosophy. You should use this skill when the user asks to create a poster, piece of art, design, or other static piece. Create original visual designs, never copying existing artists' work to avoid copyright violations.

Canvas Design

Purpose

Creates beautiful, original visual art and designs in .png and .pdf formats. Specializes in applying design principles, color theory, typography, and composition to produce professional-quality static visual pieces. Always creates original work, never copies existing artists.

When to Use

• User requests a poster, flyer, or visual design
• Need to create art, illustrations, or graphics
• Want to design a logo, icon, or branding element
• Creating infographics or data visualizations
• Designing presentation slides or marketing materials
• Need custom graphics for web or print
• User asks for "design", "art", "poster", "visual", "graphic"

Core Capabilities

Design Principles

• Balance: Visual weight distribution (symmetrical, asymmetrical, radial)
• Contrast: Creating visual interest through differences
• Hierarchy: Guiding viewer attention through importance
• Alignment: Creating visual connections and organization
• Repetition: Building consistency and cohesion
• Proximity: Grouping related elements
• White Space: Strategic use of empty areas

Color Theory

• Color Harmonies
• Monochromatic: Single hue with variations
• Analogous: Adjacent colors on color wheel
• Complementary: Opposite colors for contrast
• Triadic: Three colors equidistant on wheel

• Split-complementary: Base + two adjacent to complement

• Color Psychology

• Red: Energy, passion, urgency
• Blue: Trust, calm, professionalism
• Green: Nature, growth, health
• Yellow: Optimism, clarity, warmth
• Purple: Luxury, creativity, wisdom
• Orange: Enthusiasm, friendliness, confidence
• Black: Sophistication, power, elegance

• White: Purity, simplicity, cleanliness

• Color Application

• 60-30-10 rule (dominant, secondary, accent)
• Establish visual hierarchy with color
• Consider accessibility (contrast ratios)
• Account for cultural color meanings

Typography

• Font Categories
• Serif: Traditional, authoritative, readable
• Sans-serif: Modern, clean, minimalist
• Display: Decorative, attention-grabbing
• Script: Elegant, personal, formal

• Monospace: Technical, code, retro

• Type Hierarchy

• Establish clear levels (H1, H2, body, captions)
• Use size, weight, and color for differentiation
• Limit to 2-3 fonts maximum

• Ensure readability at all sizes

• Spacing & Alignment

• Line height: 1.4-1.6 for body text
• Letter-spacing: Adjust for readability
• Text alignment: Left, center, right, justified
• Whitespace around text blocks

Composition Techniques

• Rule of Thirds: Divide canvas into 9 parts, place focal points at intersections
• Golden Ratio: 1:1.618 proportion for aesthetically pleasing layouts
• Focal Points: Direct viewer attention to key elements
• Visual Flow: Guide eye movement through design
• Framing: Use elements to frame important content
• Layering: Create depth with foreground/background
• Symmetry vs Asymmetry: Choose based on message

Design Workflow

Step 1: Understand Requirements

Questions to Ask:
- What is the purpose/message?
- Who is the target audience?
- What format? (poster, logo, infographic, etc.)
- What dimensions/aspect ratio?
- Any color preferences or brand guidelines?
- What mood/feeling should it convey?

Deliverable: Clear design brief

Step 2: Concept Development

Process:
1. Define the core message (one sentence)
2. Choose appropriate style (minimal, bold, elegant, playful, etc.)
3. Select color palette (2-5 colors)
4. Pick typography (1-3 fonts)
5. Sketch rough layout concept

Deliverable: Design direction with rationale

Step 3: Layout Design

Elements to Define:
- Canvas size and orientation
- Grid system or layout structure
- Placement of text elements
- Placement of visual elements
- Hierarchy of information
- White space allocation

Deliverable: Structured layout plan

Step 4: Visual Execution

Implementation:
1. Apply color palette
2. Set typography with hierarchy
3. Add visual elements (shapes, icons, illustrations)
4. Apply effects (shadows, gradients, textures)
5. Ensure balance and alignment
6. Test contrast and readability

Deliverable: Complete design in requested format

Step 5: Refinement

Review:
- Check alignment and spacing
- Verify readability at different sizes
- Test color contrast (accessibility)
- Ensure visual hierarchy is clear
- Remove unnecessary elements
- Polish details

Deliverable: Final polished design

Design Patterns

Poster Design

Structure:

[Large Visual or Typography - Top 60%]
- Eye-catching hero element
- Creates immediate impact

[Supporting Information - Middle 30%]
- Key details in hierarchy
- Secondary visual elements

[Call to Action / Footer - Bottom 10%]
- Contact info, dates, location
- Small but essential details

Best Practices:
- Start with strong focal point
- Use large, bold typography for main message
- Limit to 3-4 colors
- Ensure readability from distance
- Include visual breathing room

Logo Design

Structure:

[Symbol/Icon]    [Wordmark]
     or
[Combined Mark]
     +
[Tagline (optional)]

Best Practices:
- Keep it simple and memorable
- Work in black and white first
- Ensure scalability (works at any size)
- Make it versatile (works on different backgrounds)
- Avoid trends (aim for timelessness)
- Test in various contexts

Infographic Design

Structure:

[Header: Title + Context]
     ↓
[Section 1: Data Point]
  - Visual representation
  - Supporting text
     ↓
[Section 2: Data Point]
  - Visual representation
  - Supporting text
     ↓
[Conclusion/Takeaway]

Best Practices:
- Clear visual hierarchy
- Consistent color coding
- Simple, digestible chunks
- Mix text and visuals
- Tell a story with data

Style Guidelines

Minimalist Style

• Colors: 2-3 colors, often monochromatic
• Typography: Clean sans-serif
• Elements: Generous white space, simple shapes
• Use when: Modern brand, tech product, clarity is key

Bold/Vibrant Style

• Colors: High contrast, saturated colors
• Typography: Large, impactful fonts
• Elements: Dynamic shapes, overlapping layers
• Use when: Youth audience, energy drink, festival

Elegant/Luxury Style

• Colors: Black, white, gold, muted tones
• Typography: Serif fonts, refined scripts
• Elements: Subtle details, balanced composition
• Use when: High-end product, formal event, prestige brand

Playful/Casual Style

• Colors: Bright, cheerful palette
• Typography: Rounded, friendly fonts
• Elements: Hand-drawn elements, organic shapes
• Use when: Children's product, casual event, approachable brand

Corporate/Professional Style

• Colors: Blues, grays, conservative palette
• Typography: Clean sans-serif or classic serif
• Elements: Grid-based, structured, formal
• Use when: Business document, corporate identity, professional service

Technical Specifications

File Formats

PNG:
- Use for: Web graphics, logos with transparency
- Resolution: 72 DPI for web, 300 DPI for print
- Color Mode: RGB for digital

PDF:
- Use for: Print materials, professional documents
- Resolution: 300 DPI minimum for print
- Color Mode: CMYK for print, RGB for digital
- Include bleed: 3mm on all sides for print

Canvas Sizes

Social Media:
- Instagram Post: 1080x1080px (square)
- Instagram Story: 1080x1920px (9:16)
- Facebook Post: 1200x630px
- Twitter Header: 1500x500px

Print:
- A4: 210x297mm (2480x3508px at 300 DPI)
- Letter: 8.5x11in (2550x3300px at 300 DPI)
- Poster (small): 11x17in
- Poster (large): 24x36in

Web:
- Hero Image: 1920x1080px (16:9)
- Banner: 728x90px, 300x250px
- Thumbnail: 150x150px

Best Practices

Composition

• Use a grid: Helps maintain alignment and consistency
• Create contrast: Make important elements stand out
• Balance elements: Distribute visual weight evenly
• Leave breathing room: Don't overcrowd the design
• Guide the eye: Use visual flow to lead viewer

Color

• Start with fewer colors: Add more only if needed
• Test accessibility: Ensure sufficient contrast (WCAG AA: 4.5:1 for text)
• Consider context: Colors look different on screen vs print
• Use color purposefully: Every color should have a reason
• Create a palette first: Don't pick colors on the fly

Typography

• Hierarchy first: Establish clear levels of importance
• Limit fonts: 2-3 maximum, often 1-2 is enough
• Mind the spacing: Proper kerning, leading, tracking
• Readability: Ensure text is legible at intended size
• Pair wisely: Combine fonts with different personalities

Workflow

• Start simple: Add complexity gradually
• Design in black and white first: Focus on structure
• Get feedback: Show work-in-progress
• Sleep on it: Fresh eyes catch issues
• Export multiple versions: Different sizes/formats

Anti-Patterns

❌ Don't Copy Existing Art
- Why: Copyright infringement
- Instead: Create original work inspired by concepts, not specific pieces

❌ Don't Use Too Many Fonts
- Why: Creates visual chaos
- Instead: Limit to 2-3 fonts with clear hierarchy

❌ Don't Ignore White Space
- Why: Design feels cramped and unprofessional
- Instead: Give elements room to breathe

❌ Don't Use All Caps for Long Text
- Why: Difficult to read, feels like shouting
- Instead: Use for short headlines or emphasis only

❌ Don't Center Everything
- Why: Can feel static and amateur
- Instead: Mix alignments strategically

❌ Don't Use Low Contrast
- Why: Hard to read, not accessible
- Instead: Test contrast ratios, aim for 4.5:1 minimum

❌ Don't Stretch/Distort Images or Fonts
- Why: Looks unprofessional
- Instead: Maintain aspect ratios, scale proportionally

❌ Don't Overuse Effects
- Why: Looks dated and cluttered
- Instead: Use effects sparingly and purposefully

Examples

Example 1: Event Poster

Context: Music festival poster for young adult audience

Design Approach:
- Style: Bold and vibrant
- Colors: Complementary color scheme (purple and yellow)
- Typography: Large display font for band names, clean sans-serif for details
- Composition: Dynamic diagonal layout with overlapping elements
- Visual elements: Abstract shapes suggesting music waves

Result: Eye-catching poster that conveys energy and excitement

Example 2: Minimalist Logo

Context: Tech startup logo needing professional feel

Design Approach:
- Style: Minimalist and modern
- Colors: Single color (blue) with black
- Typography: Clean geometric sans-serif
- Composition: Simple icon + wordmark
- Visual elements: Abstract geometric shape suggesting connection

Result: Clean, scalable logo that works across all media

Example 3: Infographic

Context: Explaining a process with 5 steps

Design Approach:
- Style: Corporate professional
- Colors: Brand colors (blue, gray, accent orange)
- Typography: Clear hierarchy with bold headings
- Composition: Vertical flow with numbered sections
- Visual elements: Icons for each step, connecting arrows

Result: Clear, scannable information design

Quality Checklist

Before finalizing, verify:

Visual

• [ ] Clear focal point
• [ ] Balanced composition
• [ ] Consistent spacing and alignment
• [ ] Appropriate white space
• [ ] Visual hierarchy is clear

Color

• [ ] Color palette is cohesive
• [ ] Sufficient contrast for readability
• [ ] Colors support the message
• [ ] Tested on different backgrounds

Typography

• [ ] Text is readable at all sizes
• [ ] Clear hierarchy established
• [ ] Fonts are appropriate for message
• [ ] Proper spacing (kerning, leading)

Technical

• [ ] Correct file format (.png or .pdf)
• [ ] Appropriate resolution (300 DPI for print)
• [ ] Proper color mode (RGB or CMYK)
• [ ] Correct dimensions for use case

Overall

• [ ] Design achieves stated goal
• [ ] Appropriate for target audience
• [ ] Professional and polished
• [ ] Original work (not copied)

Common Requests

"Make it pop"

Translation: Increase contrast and visual impact
Approach: Boost color saturation, increase size differences, add strategic white space

"Make it more professional"

Translation: Reduce clutter, improve consistency
Approach: Simplify color palette, standardize spacing, use classic typography

"Make it more modern"

Translation: Update to current design trends
Approach: Clean sans-serif fonts, bold colors or minimal palette, generous white space

"Make it eye-catching"

Translation: Create strong focal point
Approach: Use large typography, high contrast colors, bold visual elements

Tools and Techniques

Working with Limited Elements

When creating designs without advanced tools:
- Use geometric shapes creatively
- Leverage typography as visual element
- Apply color blocks for impact
- Create patterns with repetition
- Use negative space strategically

Creating Depth

Without complex 3D tools:
- Layer elements (foreground, midground, background)
- Use shadows and highlights
- Apply size variation (perspective)
- Overlap elements
- Vary opacity/transparency

Adding Visual Interest

• Textures: Noise, grain, patterns
• Gradients: Subtle or bold transitions
• Shapes: Circles, triangles, organic forms
• Lines: Dividers, accents, frames
• Icons: Simple, recognizable symbols

Output Formats

When delivering designs:

PNG:

Resolution: 300 DPI for print, 72 DPI for web
Color: RGB
Transparency: As needed

PDF:

Resolution: 300 DPI minimum
Color: CMYK for print, RGB for digital
Bleed: 3mm for print jobs
Fonts: Embedded

Related Skills

• Use [[frontend-design-skill]] for web UI components
• Use [[ui-designer-skill]] for interface design
• Use [[brand-guidelines-skill]] when working with brand assets
• Use [[multimodal-analysis-skill]] to analyze existing designs

Meta

This skill focuses on creating original, beautiful static visual designs across formats. Always prioritize originality and avoid copying existing artwork. Apply design principles thoughtfully to create professional, purposeful visual communication.