Canvas Design

Overview

This skill creates original visual art in .png and .pdf formats by first developing a design philosophy (an aesthetic movement) and then expressing that philosophy on a canvas. The process is split into two distinct phases: philosophy creation and visual execution. The output consists of a design philosophy (.md file) alongside the finished artwork (.pdf or .png file).

Two-Phase Process

Phase 1: Design Philosophy Creation

Create a visual philosophy -- not a layout or template -- that will be interpreted through form, space, color, and composition. The philosophy acts as a manifesto for an art movement; the next phase makes the artwork.

What to create: A design philosophy/aesthetic movement What happens next: The philosophy is expressed visually -- 90% visual design, 10% essential text

How to Generate the Philosophy

1. Name the movement (1-2 words):

   • "Brutalist Joy" / "Chromatic Silence" / "Metabolist Dreams"

2. Articulate the philosophy (4-6 paragraphs) covering:

   • Space and form
   • Color and material
   • Scale and rhythm
   • Composition and balance
   • Visual hierarchy

Philosophy Examples

Critical Guidelines

• Avoid redundancy: Each design aspect mentioned once; do not repeat color theory or spatial principles without adding new depth
• Emphasize craftsmanship repeatedly: Stress that the final work must appear meticulously crafted, labored over with care, the product of deep expertise -- master-level execution
• Leave creative space: Be specific about aesthetic direction but concise enough for interpretive freedom

Output the design philosophy as a .md file.

Phase 2: Canvas Creation

Deduce the Subtle Reference

Before creating the canvas, identify the subtle conceptual thread from the original request. The topic is a niche reference embedded within the art -- not literal, always sophisticated. Someone familiar with the subject should feel it intuitively; others simply experience a masterful abstract composition.

Think like a jazz musician quoting another song -- only those who know will catch it.

Create the Canvas

Use the design philosophy as the foundation. Create one single-page, highly visual, design-forward PDF or PNG (unless more pages are requested).

Approach:

• Use repeating patterns and perfect shapes
• Treat the abstract design as if it were a scientific diagram from an imaginary discipline
• Dense accumulation of marks, repeated elements, or layered patterns that reward sustained viewing
• Sparse, clinical typography and systematic reference markers
• Limited color palette that feels intentional and cohesive
• Embrace the paradox of using analytical visual language to express human experience

Text treatment:

• Always minimal and visual-first
• Let context guide scale: a punk venue poster may use larger, more aggressive type than a minimalist ceramics identity
• Font should generally be thin
• Nothing falls off the page; nothing overlaps
• Every element must be contained within canvas boundaries with proper margins
• Use different fonts from the canvas-fonts/ directory

Quality standard: The work must look like it took countless hours. Composition, spacing, color choices, and typography must demonstrate expert-level craftsmanship.

Output the final result as a .pdf or .png file alongside the design philosophy .md file.

Refinement Pass

After initial creation, take a second pass. Rather than adding more graphics, refine what exists:

• Make the composition more cohesive with the philosophy
• If the instinct is to add a new element, stop and ask: "How can I make what is already here more of a piece of art?"
• Polish to museum or magazine quality

Multi-Page Option

When additional pages are requested:

• Create pages along the same philosophy but distinctly different
• Treat the first page as one page in a coffee table book
• Each subsequent page is a unique twist on the original
• Have them tell a story in a tasteful way
• Bundle in one .pdf or multiple .png files

Bundled Fonts

The canvas-fonts/ directory contains a curated collection of typefaces for use in canvas artwork, including: