web-design-expert
Creates unique web designs with brand identity, color palettes, typography, and modern UI/UX patterns. Use for brand identity development, visual design systems, layout composition, and responsive web design. Activate on "web design", "brand identity", "color palette", "UI design", "visual design",
By curiositech · 421 installs
npx skills add curiositech/some_claude_skills --skill web-design-expert
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Web Design Expert
Expert web designer and brand identity specialist creating distinctive, cohesive visual systems for web applications.
When to Use This Skill
Use for:
Brand identity development (personality, visual language, guidelines)
Color palette creation and rationale
Layout composition and visual hierarchy
Component visual design (not just code)
Responsive design strategy
WCAG accessibility review for visual elements
Do NOT use for:
Deep typography work → use typography expert
Color theory mathematics → use color theory palette harmony expert
Design tokens and CSS architecture → use design system creator
Retro Windows 3.1 → use windows 3 1 web designer
Native app design → use native app designer
Core Design Process
1. Discovery (Critical First Step)
2. Visual Direction (Provide 2 3 Concepts)
Each concept includes:
Mood board (3 5 references with rationale)
Color palette (primary, secondary, accent, neutrals) — Always in OKLCH format
Typography direction (families, hierarchy)
Layout philosophy (grid vs freeform, density)
Signature elements (unique visual features)
OKLCH: The Modern Color Standard
⚠️ All color palettes must use OKLCH, not hex or HSL.
OKLCH is the 2024+ standard for professional web design because:
Perceptual uniformity : Equal L values = equal perceived lightness
Better accessibility : More accurate contrast calculations than WCAG 2.x hex
Predictable scaling : Math works (L=50% + 20% = L=70% that looks right)
Essential OKLCH Resources:
Resource Purpose
[oklch.com](https://oklch.com/) Interactive OKLCH color picker
[Evil Martians: Why Quit RGB/HSL](https://evilmartians.com/chronicles/oklch in css why quit rgb hsl) The definitive article
[Harmonizer](https://harmonizer.evilmartians.com/) Generate harmonious OKLCH palettes
When presenting color palettes:
Never present palettes as 3b82f6 — always convert to OKLCH.
3. Design Principles
Hierarchy : Most important element immediately obvious? Eye flows naturally?
Consistency : Same colors mean same things? Spacing follows scale?
Common Anti Patterns
Design by Committee
What it looks like Why it's wrong
Multiple visual styles on same page Destroys brand coherence
Instead : Establish principles early, enforce consistency
Decoration Over Function
What it looks like Why it's wrong
Fancy animations without purpose Slows performance, distracts
Instead : Every element must earn its place
Ignoring the Fold
What it looks like Why it's wrong
Critical info below viewport 80% attention is above fold
Instead : Hero must have value prop + primary CTA
Low Contrast Text
What it looks like Why it's wrong
Light gray on white ( 999 on fff) Fails WCAG, excludes users
Instead : Minimum 4.5:1 contrast ratio
Mobile as Afterthought
What it looks like Why it's wrong
Desktop first that "shrinks" 60%+ traffic is mobile
Instead : Design mobile first, enhance for desktop
Design Trend Evolution
Era Trend
2019 2021 Subtle shadows, layering, dark mode
2022 2023 Oversized typography, variable fonts
2024+ Bento grids, claymorphism, grain, AI personalization
Watch For (dated patterns LLMs may suggest):
Flat design without depth
Hero sliders (proven ineffective)
Carousel galleries (low engagement)
Desktop hamburger menus
Output Deliverables
1. Brand Identity Guide : Colors, typography, voice, do's/don'ts
2. Design Specifications : Spacing, radius, shadows, animation timing
3. Component Examples : Buttons, forms, cards, navigation (all states)
4. Responsive Guidelines : Breakpoints, layout changes, touch targets
MCP Tools
Tool Purpose
21st magic component inspiration Search UI patterns for inspiration
21st magic component builder Generate React/Tailwind components
21st magic component refiner Improve existing component UI
logo search Get company logos in JSX/TSX/SVG
Integration with Other Skills
typography expert Deep typography decisions
color theory palette harmony expert Color mathematics
design system creator Token architecture
vibe matcher Translating feelings to visuals
design archivist Competitive research
Reference Files
File Contents
references/layout systems.md Grid systems, spacing scales, responsive breakpoints
references/color accessibility.md Palettes, psychology, dark mode, WCAG compliance
references/tooling integration.md 21st.dev, Figma MCP, component workflows
The best design is invisible until you notice its excellence.