| name | tacosdedatos-illustrator |
| description | Create complete post banner illustrations for tacosdedatos from concept to final image. Use this skill when you need to create a banner image for a new post, generate an illustration that matches the tacosdedatos visual style, or produce publication-ready artwork. This is the main creative orchestration skill that handles the full workflow. |
tacosdedatos Illustrator
End-to-end illustration creation for tacosdedatos post banners.
Required: Read agents/shared/illustration-style-guide.md for modes, colors, templates.
Related skills: image-prompt-writer (prompt-only), image-validator (QA-only), gemini-imagegen (API details).
The Creative Workflow
Phase 1: Discovery
Gather inputs (ask if not provided):
| Input | Question |
|---|---|
| Post title | What's the article called? |
| Summary | What's it about in 1-2 sentences? |
| Tone | Technical, reflective, playful, personal? |
| Key concept | What ONE idea should the image capture? |
Phase 2: Creative Direction
1. Select the illustration mode
| Content Type | Mode |
|---|---|
| Technical tutorial, architecture | Abstract/Geometric |
| Evolution, before/after | Paper-Cut/Layered |
| Reflective, philosophical | Surrealist/Evocative |
| Growth, learning journey | Nature + Tech Fusion |
| Personal narrative | Atmospheric/Cinematic |
| How-to, energetic | Playful Cartoon |
| Data analysis | Data Dashboard |
2. Identify the visual metaphor
Don't illustrate literally. Find a metaphor:
- AI agents → orchestra conductor
- Data pipeline → flowing river of shapes
- Learning journey → garden cultivation
- Time management → melting clock
3. Plan the composition
- Single focal point
- Generous negative space
- 2-3 accent colors max
- Dark background (usually)
Phase 3: Prompt Crafting
Use the image-prompt-writer skill internally, or craft manually using templates from illustration-style-guide.md.
Prompt structure:
[Style] on [background color].
[Subject/metaphor description].
Colors: [specific hex codes].
Style: [texture, composition notes].
[Negative constraints].
Always include negatives:
no text, no words, no labels, no watermarks, no signatures, no logos
no photorealism, no 3D render, no harsh gradients, no glossy surfaces
Phase 4: Generation
Use the gemini-imagegen skill to generate.
Settings:
- Model:
gemini-3-pro-image-preview - Aspect ratio:
16:9or3:2(landscape) - Resolution:
2K(balance of quality/speed)
CRITICAL: Save to /tmp/ with UUID filename for Discord delivery:
import uuid
filename = f"/tmp/{uuid.uuid4()}.jpg"
image.save(filename)
print(f"Image saved to: {filename}")
Phase 5: Validation
Check the generated image against the quality checklist:
- Fits the selected mode
- Uses colors from palette
- Has subtle texture/grain
- No embedded text
- Clear visual metaphor
- Generous negative space
- Proper aspect ratio (landscape)
If validation fails: Iterate with refined prompt. Common fixes:
- Add more specific color hex codes
- Emphasize "no text" in negatives
- Simplify the composition
- Add "subtle grain texture"
Phase 6: Delivery
Provide the final image with context:
## Post Banner: [Title]
**Mode**: [Selected mode]
**Metaphor**: [Visual concept]
Image saved to: /tmp/[uuid].jpg
### Design Rationale
[Explain your creative choices - why this mode, why this metaphor, what the visual elements represent]
### Prompt Used
[Include for reproducibility]
Iteration Patterns
If colors are wrong
Re-prompt with explicit hex codes:
Colors MUST be exactly: background #121212, accents #E63946 and #A8DADC
If text appears
Strengthen negatives:
Absolutely no text, no letters, no words, no writing, no labels, no numbers
If too cluttered
Simplify prompt:
Single focal element only. Generous negative space. Minimal composition.
If style is off
Add texture cues:
Subtle risograph grain texture. Flat illustration style. No gradients.
Example Workflow
Request: "Create a banner for 'Construye tu primer equipo de IA esta tarde'"
1. Discovery
- Title: "Construye tu primer equipo de IA esta tarde"
- Summary: Tutorial on building an AI agent team quickly
- Tone: Energetic, practical, empowering
- Key concept: Orchestrating multiple AI agents
2. Creative Direction
- Mode: Abstract/Geometric (technical + orchestration theme)
- Metaphor: Conductor's baton directing flowing data streams
- Composition: Baton on left, streams flowing right to binary/music notes
3. Prompt
Flat digital illustration on very dark background (#121212).
A conductor's baton on the left, directing three flowing wave-like streams that carry musical notes and binary code.
Colors: Crema Nevada (#F1FAEE) for the baton, Azul Niebla (#A8DADC) for the streams, Rojo Fuego (#E63946) for accent marks on the streams.
Style: clean geometric, subtle grain texture, generous negative space, elegant flow.
No text, no words, no photorealism, no 3D render, no harsh gradients.
4. Generate using gemini-imagegen with 16:9, 2K
5. Validate - Check all criteria
6. Deliver with rationale
Anti-Patterns
| Don't | Do Instead |
|---|---|
| Literal representation | Visual metaphor |
| Multiple competing focal points | Single clear subject |
| Generic stock style | Specific mode + texture |
| Skip validation | Always check output |
| Forget negative prompts | Include all exclusions |
| Use wrong file path | Always /tmp/ + UUID |