Design Rules

Logo & Brand

• Simple enough to work at 16px favicon — complexity disappears at small scale
• Recognizable in one color — gradients are enhancements, not crutches
• Test on dark and light backgrounds — logos need both versions
• 3-5 brand colors maximum — primary, secondary, accent, plus neutrals
• Consistency builds recognition — every touchpoint reinforces or dilutes brand

Visual Hierarchy

• Size and weight guide attention — most important element most prominent
• One focal point per screen — competing elements confuse users
• Whitespace groups, separates, and elevates — it's not empty space
• Alignment creates invisible order — grids make everything feel intentional
• Contrast for emphasis, similarity for grouping — break patterns deliberately