Poster design

Poster Design

Create striking posters for events, promotions, announcements, and product launches. Output as production-ready HTML/CSS/SVG sized for both print and web display.

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Step 1: Load Design Context

1. Read .agents/design-context.md for brand colors, fonts, style archetype
2. If missing, ask user to run design-context skill or proceed with defaults
3. Posters often have more creative freedom than other formats -- but brand colors and fonts should still anchor the design

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Gemini 3.1 Flash Image Preview

For AI image generation, see the image-generation skill for the full Gemini pipeline. Below are domain-specific prompt patterns for this skill.

Example Prompts

• Event Poster: "Create an event poster for [event name]. [style] design with [color palette]. Large display text '[event name]' at top. Date '[date]' and venue '[venue]' at bottom."
• Concert Poster: "Create a concert poster for [artist/band] at [venue]. Dark background with [neon/vibrant] accent colors. Artist name in bold condensed type. Distressed texture overlay. Date and ticket info at bottom."
• Sale Flyer: "Create a promotional sale poster. '[discount]% OFF' as the dominant element in [color]. Product images below. Urgency text '[deadline]' in a banner strip. Clean, high-energy retail layout."

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Step 2: Determine Poster Type and Dimensions

Standard Dimensions

Format	Pixels (72dpi web)	Print Size	Use Case
A4 Portrait	595 x 842	210 x 297mm	Standard flyer
A3 Portrait	842 x 1191	297 x 420mm	Large poster
US Letter	612 x 792	8.5 x 11in	Standard US flyer
US Tabloid	792 x 1224	11 x 17in	Large US poster
Web Poster	800 x 1200	N/A	Digital distribution
Wide Web	1200 x 800	N/A	Web banner / landscape
Social Poster	1080 x 1350	N/A	Instagram portrait
Square	1080 x 1080	N/A	Multi-platform

For print-quality output at 300dpi, multiply pixel dimensions by ~4.17 (300/72).

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Step 3: Choose Composition Framework

Z-Pattern

The eye naturally scans in a Z shape. Best for posters with a clear reading order.

[Logo/Brand].............[Date]
.............................
......[MAIN VISUAL].........
.............................
[Details]...........[CTA/URL]

Place:

• Top-left: Brand mark / identifier
• Top-right: Key date or label
• Center: Hero visual / headline
• Bottom-left: Event details
• Bottom-right: CTA or ticket link

Focal Point (Centered)

All elements radiate from a single center point. Best for bold, graphic posters.

         [Decorative Top]
     -------------------------
     |                       |
     |    [MAIN HEADLINE]    |
     |    [Visual Element]   |
     |    [Subheadline]      |
     |                       |
     -------------------------
         [Details / Footer]

Layered / Overlap

Elements overlap and stack to create depth. Best for dynamic, modern posters.

Background layer:  Full-bleed gradient or image
Middle layer:      Large transparent text or shape
Content layer:     Headline + details on semi-transparent card
Top layer:         Decorative accents, floating elements

Split Composition

Canvas divided into two distinct zones (vertical or diagonal split).

[Image/Visual Half] | [Text/Info Half]

Or diagonal:

.poster { position: relative; }
.visual-half {
  clip-path: polygon(0 0, 65% 0, 45% 100%, 0 100%);
  position: absolute; inset: 0;
}
.text-half {
  clip-path: polygon(65% 0, 100% 0, 100% 100%, 45% 100%);
  position: absolute; inset: 0;
}

Grid-Based

Structured layout using a visible or invisible grid. Best for information-dense posters.

.poster-grid {
  display: grid;
  grid-template-rows: auto 1fr auto;
  grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr;
  gap: 20px;
  padding: 40px;
}
.poster-grid .headline { grid-column: 1 / -1; }
.poster-grid .visual { grid-column: 1; }
.poster-grid .details { grid-column: 2; }
.poster-grid .footer { grid-column: 1 / -1; }

---

Step 4: Typography Hierarchy for Posters

Posters need extreme typographic hierarchy. The headline must be readable from a distance (physical or scroll distance).

Four-Level Hierarchy

/* Level 1: Display / Headline -- the hook */
.poster-headline {
  font-family: var(--font-heading);
  font-size: clamp(48px, 8vw, 96px);
  font-weight: 800;
  line-height: 0.95;
  letter-spacing: -0.03em;
  text-transform: uppercase; /* optional, depends on style */
}

/* Level 2: Subheadline -- context */
.poster-subheadline {
  font-family: var(--font-heading);
  font-size: clamp(20px, 3vw, 32px);
  font-weight: 400;
  line-height: 1.3;
  letter-spacing: 0.02em;
}

/* Level 3: Body / Details -- the specifics */
.poster-body {
  font-family: var(--font-body);
  font-size: clamp(14px, 2vw, 18px);
  font-weight: 400;
  line-height: 1.5;
}

/* Level 4: Fine print / Meta -- secondary info */
.poster-meta {
  font-family: var(--font-body);
  font-size: clamp(10px, 1.2vw, 14px);
  font-weight: 500;
  letter-spacing: 0.08em;
  text-transform: uppercase;
}

Typography Treatments for Posters

/* Stacked headline -- each word on its own line */
.stacked-headline {
  display: flex;
  flex-direction: column;
  line-height: 0.9;
}
.stacked-headline span {
  display: block;
}
.stacked-headline span:nth-child(odd) {
  font-style: italic;
  font-weight: 300;
}

/* Mixed weight headline */
.mixed-weight span.light { font-weight: 300; }
.mixed-weight span.bold { font-weight: 800; }

/* Oversized first letter */
.drop-cap::first-letter {
  font-size: 3em;
  float: left;
  line-height: 0.8;
  margin-right: 8px;
  font-weight: 800;
}

/* Knockout text (text reveals background) */
.knockout-text {
  background: url('texture.jpg') center/cover;
  -webkit-background-clip: text;
  background-clip: text;
  -webkit-text-fill-color: transparent;
}

---

Step 5: Background Techniques

Gradient Mesh

.gradient-mesh {
  background:
    radial-gradient(at 0% 0%, rgba(99, 102, 241, 0.4) 0%, transparent 50%),
    radial-gradient(at 100% 0%, rgba(236, 72, 153, 0.4) 0%, transparent 50%),
    radial-gradient(at 100% 100%, rgba(34, 197, 94, 0.3) 0%, transparent 50%),
    radial-gradient(at 0% 100%, rgba(245, 158, 11, 0.3) 0%, transparent 50%),
    linear-gradient(180deg, #0F172A, #1E293B);
}

Photo Overlay with Gradient

.photo-bg {
  background:
    linear-gradient(180deg, rgba(0,0,0,0.7) 0%, rgba(0,0,0,0.2) 40%, rgba(0,0,0,0.8) 100%),
    url('event-photo.jpg') center/cover;
}

Geometric Pattern

.geo-pattern {
  background-color: var(--primary);
  background-image:
    linear-gradient(30deg, rgba(255,255,255,0.05) 12%, transparent 12.5%, transparent 87%, rgba(255,255,255,0.05) 87.5%),
    linear-gradient(150deg, rgba(255,255,255,0.05) 12%, transparent 12.5%, transparent 87%, rgba(255,255,255,0.05) 87.5%),
    linear-gradient(30deg, rgba(255,255,255,0.05) 12%, transparent 12.5%, transparent 87%, rgba(255,255,255,0.05) 87.5%),
    linear-gradient(150deg, rgba(255,255,255,0.05) 12%, transparent 12.5%, transparent 87%, rgba(255,255,255,0.05) 87.5%);
  background-size: 80px 140px;
  background-position: 0 0, 0 0, 40px 70px, 40px 70px;
}

Noise Texture Overlay

<svg style="position:absolute;inset:0;width:100%;height:100%;opacity:0.06;pointer-events:none;">
  <filter id="noiseFilter">
    <feTurbulence type="fractalNoise" baseFrequency="0.65" numOctaves="3" stitchTiles="stitch"/>
  </filter>
  <rect width="100%" height="100%" filter="url(#noiseFilter)"/>
</svg>

Halftone Effect (Retro)

<svg style="position:absolute;inset:0;width:100%;height:100%;mix-blend-mode:multiply;opacity:0.15;">
  <pattern id="halftone" x="0" y="0" width="6" height="6" patternUnits="userSpaceOnUse">
    <circle cx="3" cy="3" r="1.5" fill="currentColor"/>
  </pattern>
  <rect width="100%" height="100%" fill="url(#halftone)"/>
</svg>

---

Step 6: Event Information Layout

Essential Event Info Block

<div class="event-details">
  <div class="detail-row">
    <span class="detail-icon">&#x1F4C5;</span>
    <div>
      <strong>Saturday, March 28, 2026</strong>
      <span>Doors open 7:00 PM</span>
    </div>
  </div>
  <div class="detail-row">
    <span class="detail-icon">&#x1F4CD;</span>
    <div>
      <strong>The Grand Hall</strong>
      <span>123 Main Street, San Francisco, CA</span>
    </div>
  </div>
  <div class="detail-row">
    <span class="detail-icon">&#x1F3AB;</span>
    <div>
      <strong>$25 Early Bird / $35 Door</strong>
      <span>tickets.example.com</span>
    </div>
  </div>
</div>

.event-details {
  display: flex;
  flex-direction: column;
  gap: 16px;
  padding: 24px;
  background: rgba(255,255,255,0.05);
  border-left: 3px solid var(--accent);
  border-radius: 0 8px 8px 0;
}
.detail-row {
  display: flex;
  align-items: flex-start;
  gap: 12px;
}
.detail-icon {
  font-size: 20px;
  width: 24px;
  text-align: center;
  flex-shrink: 0;
}

CTA Button for Posters

.poster-cta {
  display: inline-flex;
  align-items: center;
  gap: 8px;
  padding: 14px 32px;
  background: var(--accent);
  color: #000;
  font-family: var(--font-heading);
  font-size: 16px;
  font-weight: 700;
  letter-spacing: 0.05em;
  text-transform: uppercase;
  text-decoration: none;
  border-radius: 4px;
  transition: transform 0.2s, box-shadow 0.2s;
}
.poster-cta:hover {
  transform: translateY(-2px);
  box-shadow: 0 8px 24px rgba(0,0,0,0.3);
}

---

Step 7: Style Variations

Concert / Music Poster

• Dark background (black, deep purple, navy)
• High-contrast neon or vibrant accent colors
• Large artist name as the dominant element
• Distressed or grungy textures
• Decorative elements: sound waves, speakers, vinyl records
• Typography: bold condensed sans-serif or display fonts

Tech Event / Conference

• Clean, modern gradient backgrounds
• Geometric shapes and abstract patterns
• Speaker headshots in circular frames
• Technology-themed decorative elements (circuit patterns, code snippets)
• Typography: clean sans-serif, monospace for details
• Color: blues, purples, teals

Sale / Promotion

• Bright, attention-grabbing colors (red, yellow, orange)
• Discount percentage as the largest element
• "SALE" text with bold treatment
• Urgency indicators ("Limited Time", countdown)
• Clean product images
• Typography: impact/condensed bold for numbers, clean sans for details

Product Launch

• Product image as hero (large, well-lit)
• Minimal text -- let the product speak
• Premium gradient background
• Launch date prominent
• Subtle glow effects around product
• Typography: elegant, spaced, modern

Minimalist Event

• Single dominant color + white/black
• Lots of whitespace
• Typography-driven -- the text IS the design
• Thin lines and geometric accents
• Essential info only, no decoration
• Sophisticated, gallery-like aesthetic

Vintage / Retro Event

• Warm color palette (#C84B31, #F4E8C1, #2D1B00)
• Halftone dot patterns
• Serif or slab-serif typography
• Aged paper texture backgrounds
• Border frames and ornamental dividers
• Distressed/rough edge effects

---

Step 8: Decorative Elements

Dividers and Rules

/* Gradient rule */
.divider {
  height: 2px;
  background: linear-gradient(90deg, transparent, var(--accent), transparent);
  margin: 24px 0;
}

/* Ornamental divider */
.ornament-divider {
  display: flex;
  align-items: center;
  gap: 16px;
}
.ornament-divider::before,
.ornament-divider::after {
  content: '';
  flex: 1;
  height: 1px;
  background: currentColor;
  opacity: 0.3;
}

Floating Shapes

.floating-shape {
  position: absolute;
  border-radius: 50%;
  filter: blur(60px);
  opacity: 0.2;
  pointer-events: none;
}
.shape-1 { width: 300px; height: 300px; background: var(--primary); top: -100px; right: -50px; }
.shape-2 { width: 200px; height: 200px; background: var(--accent); bottom: 10%; left: -30px; }

Border Frame

.poster-frame {
  position: absolute;
  inset: 16px;
  border: 1px solid rgba(255,255,255,0.15);
  border-radius: 4px;
  pointer-events: none;
}

---

Quality Checklist

• Headline readable from a distance (large, bold, high contrast)
• Clear visual hierarchy: Headline > Subheadline > Details > Meta
• Essential info present: What, When, Where, How (for events)
• Background sets the right mood and tone
• Brand colors and fonts from design-context are applied
• Composition follows a clear framework (Z, focal, split, or grid)
• Whitespace is sufficient -- nothing feels cramped
• Decorative elements enhance without competing with content
• Dimensions match the intended output format
• Code is self-contained HTML/CSS