Style Reference

Core Styles

Simplified style tier for quick selection:

Core Style	Maps To	Best For
`vector`	vector-illustration	Knowledge articles, tutorials, tech content
`minimal-flat`	notion	General, knowledge sharing, SaaS
`sci-fi`	blueprint	AI, frontier tech, system design
`hand-drawn`	sketch/warm	Relaxed, reflective, casual content
`editorial`	editorial	Processes, data, journalism
`scene`	warm/watercolor	Narratives, emotional, lifestyle
`poster`	screen-print	Opinion, editorial, cultural, cinematic

Use Core Styles for most cases. See full Style Gallery below for granular control.

Style Gallery

Style	Description	Best For
`vector-illustration`	Clean flat vector art with bold shapes	Knowledge articles, tutorials, tech content
`notion`	Minimalist hand-drawn line art	Knowledge sharing, SaaS, productivity
`elegant`	Refined, sophisticated	Business, thought leadership
`warm`	Friendly, approachable	Personal growth, lifestyle, education
`minimal`	Ultra-clean, zen-like	Philosophy, minimalism, core concepts
`blueprint`	Technical schematics	Architecture, system design, engineering
`watercolor`	Soft artistic with natural warmth	Lifestyle, travel, creative
`editorial`	Magazine-style infographic	Tech explainers, journalism
`scientific`	Academic precise diagrams	Biology, chemistry, technical research
`chalkboard`	Classroom chalk drawing style	Education, teaching, explanations
`fantasy-animation`	Ghibli/Disney-inspired hand-drawn	Storybook, magical, emotional
`flat`	Modern bold geometric shapes	Modern digital, contemporary
`flat-doodle`	Cute flat with bold outlines	Cute, friendly, approachable
`intuition-machine`	Technical briefing with aged paper	Technical briefings, academic
`nature`	Organic earthy illustration	Environmental, wellness
`pixel-art`	Retro 8-bit gaming aesthetic	Gaming, retro tech
`playful`	Whimsical pastel doodles	Fun, casual, educational
`retro`	80s/90s neon geometric	80s/90s nostalgic, bold
`sketch`	Raw pencil notebook style	Brainstorming, creative exploration
`screen-print`	Bold poster art, halftone textures, limited colors	Opinion, editorial, cultural, cinematic
`sketch-notes`	Soft hand-drawn warm notes	Educational, warm notes
`ink-notes`	Black ink on pure white, sparse semantic accents, hand-lettered (à la Mike Rohde's sketchnoting)	Before/After essays, tech manifestos, framework analogies
`vintage`	Aged parchment historical	Historical, heritage

Full specifications: references/styles/<style>.md

Type × Style Compatibility Matrix

	vector-illustration	notion	warm	minimal	blueprint	watercolor	elegant	editorial	scientific	screen-print
infographic	✓✓	✓✓	✓	✓✓	✓✓	✓	✓✓	✓✓	✓✓	✓
scene	✓	✓	✓✓	✓	✗	✓✓	✓	✓	✗	✓✓
flowchart	✓✓	✓✓	✓	✓	✓✓	✗	✓	✓✓	✓	✗
comparison	✓✓	✓✓	✓	✓✓	✓	✓	✓✓	✓✓	✓	✓
framework	✓✓	✓✓	✓	✓✓	✓✓	✗	✓✓	✓	✓✓	✓
timeline	✓	✓✓	✓	✓	✓	✓✓	✓✓	✓✓	✓	✓

✓✓ = highly recommended | ✓ = compatible | ✗ = not recommended

Auto Selection by Type

Type	Primary Style	Secondary Styles
infographic	vector-illustration	notion, blueprint, editorial
scene	warm	watercolor, elegant
flowchart	vector-illustration	notion, blueprint
comparison	vector-illustration	notion, elegant
framework	blueprint	vector-illustration, notion
timeline	elegant	warm, editorial

Auto Selection by Content Signals

Content Signals	Recommended Type	Recommended Style
API, metrics, data, comparison, numbers	infographic	blueprint, vector-illustration
Knowledge, concept, tutorial, learning, guide	infographic	vector-illustration, notion
Tech, AI, programming, development, code	infographic	vector-illustration, blueprint
How-to, steps, workflow, process, tutorial	flowchart	vector-illustration, notion
Framework, model, architecture, principles	framework	blueprint, vector-illustration
vs, pros/cons, before/after, alternatives	comparison	vector-illustration, notion
Manifesto, mindset shift, workforce, OS, whiteboard, professional visual note	comparison / framework	ink-notes
Story, emotion, journey, experience, personal	scene	warm, watercolor
History, timeline, progress, evolution	timeline	elegant, warm
Productivity, SaaS, tool, app, software	infographic	notion, vector-illustration
Business, professional, strategy, corporate	framework	elegant
Opinion, editorial, culture, philosophy, cinematic, dramatic, poster	scene	screen-print
Biology, chemistry, medical, scientific	infographic	scientific
Explainer, journalism, magazine, investigation	infographic	editorial

Style Characteristics by Type

infographic + vector-illustration

Clean flat vector shapes, bold geometric forms
Vibrant but harmonious color palette
Clear visual hierarchy with icons and labels
Modern, professional, highly readable
Perfect for knowledge articles and tutorials

flowchart + vector-illustration

Bold arrows and connectors
Distinct step containers with icons
Clean progression flow
High contrast for readability

comparison + vector-illustration

Split layout with clear visual separation
Bold iconography for each side
Color-coded distinctions
Easy at-a-glance comparison

framework + vector-illustration

Geometric node representations
Clear hierarchical structure
Bold connecting lines
Modern system diagram aesthetic

infographic + blueprint

Technical precision, schematic lines
Grid-based layout, clear zones
Monospace labels, data-focused
Blue/white color scheme

infographic + notion

Hand-drawn feel, approachable
Soft icons, rounded elements
Neutral palette, clean backgrounds
Perfect for SaaS/productivity

scene + warm

Golden hour lighting, cozy atmosphere
Soft gradients, natural textures
Inviting, personal feeling
Great for storytelling

scene + watercolor

Artistic, painterly effect
Soft edges, color bleeding
Dreamy, creative mood
Best for lifestyle/travel

flowchart + notion

Clear step indicators
Simple arrow connections
Minimal decoration
Focus on process clarity

flowchart + blueprint

Technical precision
Detailed connection points
Engineering aesthetic
For complex systems

comparison + elegant

Refined dividers
Balanced typography
Professional appearance
Business comparisons

framework + blueprint

Precise node connections
Hierarchical clarity
System architecture feel
Technical frameworks

timeline + elegant

Sophisticated markers
Refined typography
Historical gravitas
Professional presentations

timeline + warm

Friendly progression
Organic flow
Personal journey feel
Growth narratives

scene + screen-print

Bold silhouettes, symbolic compositions
2-5 flat colors with halftone textures
Figure-ground inversion (negative space tells secondary story)
Vintage poster aesthetic, conceptual not literal
Great for opinion pieces and cultural commentary

comparison + screen-print

Split duotone composition (one color per side)
Bold geometric dividers
Symbolic icons over detailed rendering
High contrast, immediate visual impact

framework + screen-print

Geometric node representations with stencil-cut edges
Limited color coding (one color per concept level)
Clean silhouette-based iconography
Poster-style hierarchy with bold typography

Palette Gallery

Palettes override a style's default colors. Combine any style with any palette (e.g. style=vector-illustration, palette=macaron).

Palette	Description	Best For
`macaron`	Soft pastel blocks (blue, mint, lavender, peach) on warm cream	Educational, knowledge, tutorials
`warm`	Warm earth tones (orange, terracotta, gold) on soft peach, no cool colors	Brand, product, lifestyle
`neon`	Vibrant neon (pink, cyan, yellow) on dark purple	Gaming, retro, pop culture
`mono-ink`	Black ink on pure white with sparse semantic accents (coral red, muted teal, dusty lavender)	Professional visual notes, Before/After, manifestos

Full specifications: references/palettes/<palette>.md

When no palette is specified, the style's built-in Color Palette is used.

Palette Override Rules

Read style file → rendering rules (Visual Elements, Style Rules)
Read palette file → Colors + Background
Palette colors replace style's default Color Palette
Palette Background replaces style's default Background color
Style's texture description is preserved