Design Direction

What this is

Design Direction is the phase where you decide how your build should look and feel, then save those rules in design.md. It is not decoration. design.md is a required source file the builder reads before it writes a single section.

You use DesignMD for inspiration: browse designs, pick one you like, and translate its qualities into your own safe rules.

Why it matters

Without a specific design.md, AI builds generic, forgettable pages. With one, Antigravity has real taste to follow, and your result matches your brief instead of drifting into slop.

Use DesignMD as inspiration, not as permission to clone. Do not copy logos, brand names, testimonials, claims, photos, or private content. You borrow design qualities — layout rhythm, spacing, colour mood, card and button style, typography feel, mobile behaviour — never someone's identity.

What to do

Choose one inspiration

1. Open DesignMD and browse.
2. Choose one design that feels right for your project.
3. Copy its URL. You will paste it into the SDD Design Coach when asked.

If you cannot access DesignMD, describe a fallback style instead, or pick one of these safe presets:

- Clean cafe card layout
- Apple-like premium minimal
- Playful student dashboard
- Calm productivity app
- Bold event landing page
- Official academy/institution style

Translate it into design.md

Answer the coach honestly. Say what you want to borrow and what you must not copy. The result is saved as design.md.

Before build-blueprint.md, design.md must answer:

- What inspiration URL or fallback style did I choose?
- What layout/spacing/card/button ideas are safe to borrow?
- What must not be copied?
- What is the visual mood?
- What are the mobile rules?
- What are the anti-slop rules?

Do not build until design.md is specific

If design.md only says vague words like "modern", "clean", or "nice", it is not ready. Push for real rules first. Do not let the AI create build-blueprint.md or Work Cards until design.md is specific.

Common mistakes

• Skipping design and letting the AI invent a generic look.
• Treating a DesignMD inspiration as a clone target.
• Copying a logo, brand name, testimonial, stat, or photo.
• Saving a design.md that only says "modern" or "clean".
• Starting the build before design.md exists.

Next step

With a specific design.md saved, build the first card in Build One Work Card.