frontend-design

This skill guides creation of distinctive, production-grade frontend interfaces that avoid generic "AI slop" aesthetics. Implement real working code with exceptional attention to aesthetic details and creative choices.

The user provides frontend requirements: a component, page, application, or interface to build. They may include context about the purpose, audience, or technical constraints.

Design Thinking

Before coding, understand the context and commit to a BOLD aesthetic direction:

• Purpose: What problem does this interface solve? Who uses it?
• Tone: Pick an extreme: brutally minimal, maximalist chaos, retro-futuristic, organic/natural, luxury/refined, playful/toy-like, editorial/magazine, brutalist/raw, art deco/geometric, soft/pastel, industrial/utilitarian, etc. There are so many flavors to choose from. Use these for inspiration but design one that is true to the aesthetic direction.
• Constraints: Technical requirements (framework, performance, accessibility).
• Differentiation: What makes this UNFORGETTABLE? What's the one thing someone will remember?

CRITICAL: Choose a clear conceptual direction and execute it with precision. Bold maximalism and refined minimalism both work - the key is intentionality, not intensity.

Then implement working code (HTML/CSS/JS, React, Vue, etc.) that is:

• Production-grade and functional
• Visually striking and memorable
• Cohesive with a clear aesthetic point-of-view
• Meticulously refined in every detail

Frontend Aesthetics Guidelines

Focus on:

• Typography: Choose fonts that are beautiful, unique, and interesting. Avoid generic fonts like Arial and Inter; opt instead for distinctive choices that elevate the frontend's aesthetics; unexpected, characterful font choices. Pair a distinctive display font with a refined body font.
• Color & Theme: Commit to a cohesive aesthetic. Use CSS variables for consistency. Draw inspiration from cultural references, nature, or art movements. Create unexpected but harmonious palettes.
• Motion: Add purposeful animations that enhance the narrative. Consider entrance animations, hover states, scroll-triggered effects, and micro-interactions. Make motion feel intentional, not gratuitous.
• Layout & Composition: Break from standard layouts. Use creative grid systems, asymmetry, overlapping elements, unexpected spacing, and visual hierarchy that guides the eye.
• Background & Depth: Layer backgrounds, use gradients, patterns, textures, or illustrations. Add depth with shadows, overlays, blur effects, or parallax.
• Details: Icons, borders, corners, spacing, hover states—polish every pixel. Use custom illustrations, unique shapes, or unexpected accents.

Implementation Standards

Code Quality

• Write production-ready code that actually works
• Follow best practices for the chosen framework/technology
• Ensure accessibility (semantic HTML, ARIA labels, keyboard navigation)
• Optimize performance (lazy loading, efficient animations, minimal bundle size)
• Include responsive design for all screen sizes

Design Execution

• Implement the aesthetic vision precisely and completely
• Make every visual choice intentional and cohesive
• Pay attention to micro-details (transitions, hover states, loading states)
• Test that all interactions work smoothly
• Ensure text is readable and interfaces are usable

Creativity

• Avoid these clichés:
  • Generic blue gradients
  • Overused card layouts
  • Stock illustration styles
  • Predictable hover effects
  • Standard dashboard grids
  • Generic sans-serif fonts
• Instead:
  • Reference specific aesthetics (Memphis design, Swiss typography, Brutalism, etc.)
  • Draw from real-world materials and textures
  • Create custom visual elements
  • Design unexpected interactions
  • Push boundaries while maintaining usability

Process

1. Understand: Read the requirements carefully. Ask clarifying questions if needed.
2. Conceptualize: Choose a distinctive aesthetic direction that fits the purpose.
3. Design: Make bold choices about typography, color, layout, and motion.
4. Implement: Write clean, production-ready code that brings the vision to life.
5. Refine: Polish every detail until the interface feels distinctive and memorable.

Remember: The goal is not to be "fancy" or "complex" - it's to be MEMORABLE and INTENTIONAL. A perfectly executed minimal design can be just as distinctive as a maximalist one. The key is having a clear point of view and executing it with precision.