1# Design Guidelines
2 
3Detailed design principles for slide decks.
4 
5## Audience Guidelines
6 
7Design decisions adapt to target audience. Use `--audience` to set.
8 
9| Audience | Content Density | Visual Style | Terminology | Slides |
10|----------|-----------------|--------------|-------------|--------|
11| `beginners` | Low | Friendly, illustrative | Plain language | 8-15 |
12| `intermediate` | Medium | Balanced, structured | Some jargon OK | 10-20 |
13| `experts` | High | Data-rich, precise | Technical terms | 12-25 |
14| `executives` | Low-Medium | Clean, impactful | Business language | 8-12 |
15| `general` | Medium | Accessible, engaging | Minimal jargon | 10-18 |
16 
17### Audience → Density Mapping
18 
19Recommended density dimension based on audience:
20 
21| Audience | Recommended Density | Rationale |
22|----------|-------------------|-----------|
23| `executives` | minimal | One insight per slide, respect time |
24| `beginners` | minimal → balanced | Single concepts, build understanding |
25| `general` | balanced | Accessible but informative |
26| `intermediate` | balanced | Standard information density |
27| `experts` | balanced → dense | Can handle more data per slide |
28 
29**Automatic Density Selection**:
30- If `--audience executives` → default to `minimal` density
31- If `--audience beginners` → default to `minimal` or `balanced`
32- If `--audience experts` → allow `dense` density
33- Otherwise → default to `balanced`
34 
35### Audience-Specific Principles
36 
37**Beginners**:
38- One concept per slide
39- Visual metaphors over abstract diagrams
40- Step-by-step progression
41- Generous whitespace
42 
43**Experts**:
44- Multiple data points per slide acceptable
45- Technical diagrams with precise labels
46- Assume domain knowledge
47- Dense but organized information
48 
49**Executives**:
50- Lead with insights, not data
51- "So what?" on every slide
52- Decision-enabling content
53- Bottom-line upfront (BLUF)
54 
55## Visual Hierarchy Principles
56 
57| Principle | Description |
58|-----------|-------------|
59| Focal Point | ONE dominant element per slide draws attention first |
60| Rule of Thirds | Position key elements at grid intersections |
61| Z-Pattern | Guide eye: top-left → top-right → bottom-left → bottom-right |
62| Size Contrast | Headlines 2-3x larger than body text |
63| Breathing Room | Minimum 10% margin from all edges |
64 
65## Content Density
66 
67See `references/dimensions/density.md` for full density dimension specs.
68 
69| Level | Description | Use When |
70|-------|-------------|----------|
71| High | Multiple data points, detailed charts, dense text | Expert audience, technical reviews |
72| Medium | Key points with supporting details | General business, mixed audiences |
73| Low | One main idea, large visuals, minimal text | Beginners, keynotes, emotional impact |
74 
75**High-Density Principles** (McKinsey-style):
76- Every element earns its space
77- Data speaks louder than decoration
78- Annotations explain insights, not describe data
79- White space is strategic, not filler
80 
81**Density by Slide Type**:
82| Slide Type | Recommended Density |
83|------------|-------------------|
84| Cover/Title | minimal |
85| Agenda/Overview | balanced |
86| Content/Analysis | balanced or dense |
87| Data/Metrics | dense |
88| Quote/Impact | minimal |
89| Summary/Takeaway | balanced |
90 
91## Color Selection
92 
93See `references/dimensions/mood.md` for full mood dimension specs.
94 
95**Content-First Approach**:
961. Analyze content topic, mood, and industry
972. Consider target audience expectations
983. Match palette to subject matter
994. Ensure strong contrast for readability
100 
101**Quick Palette Guide**:
102| Content Type | Recommended Mood |
103|--------------|-----------------|
104| Technical/Architecture | cool |
105| Educational/Friendly | warm |
106| Corporate/Professional | professional |
107| Creative/Artistic | vibrant |
108| Scientific/Medical | cool or neutral |
109| Entertainment/Gaming | dark or vibrant |
110 
111## Typography Principles
112 
113See `references/dimensions/typography.md` for full typography dimension specs.
114 
115| Element | Treatment |
116|---------|-----------|
117| Headlines | Bold, 2-3x body size, narrative style |
118| Body Text | Regular weight, readable size |
119| Captions | Smaller, lighter weight |
120| Data Labels | Monospace for technical content |
121| Emphasis | Use bold or color, not underlines |
122 
123## Font Recommendations
124 
125**English Fonts**:
126| Font | Style | Best For |
127|------|-------|----------|
128| Liter | Sans-serif, geometric | Modern, clean, technical |
129| HedvigLettersSans | Sans-serif, distinctive | Brand-forward, creative |
130| Oranienbaum | High-contrast serif | Elegant, classical |
131| SortsMillGoudy | Classical serif | Traditional, readable |
132| Coda | Round sans-serif | Friendly, approachable |
133 
134**Chinese Fonts**:
135| Font | Style | Best For |
136|------|-------|----------|
137| MiSans | Modern sans-serif | Clean, versatile, screen-optimized |
138| Noto Sans SC | Neutral sans-serif | Standard, multilingual |
139| siyuanSongti | Refined Song typeface | Elegant, editorial |
140| alimamashuheiti | Geometric sans-serif | Commercial, structured |
141| LXGW Bright | Song-Kai hybrid | Warm, readable |
142 
143**Multilingual Pairing**:
144| Use Case | English | Chinese |
145|----------|---------|---------|
146| Technical | Liter | MiSans |
147| Editorial | Oranienbaum | siyuanSongti |
148| Friendly | Coda | LXGW Bright |
149| Corporate | HedvigLettersSans | alimamashuheiti |
150 
151## Visual Elements Reference
152 
153See `references/dimensions/texture.md` for full texture dimension specs.
154 
155### Background Treatments
156 
157| Treatment | Description | Best For |
158|-----------|-------------|----------|
159| Solid color | Single background color | Clean, minimal |
160| Split background | Two colors, diagonal or vertical | Contrast, sections |
161| Gradient | Subtle vertical or diagonal fade | Modern, dynamic |
162| Textured | Pattern or texture overlay | Character, style |
163 
164### Typography Treatments
165 
166| Treatment | Description | Best For |
167|-----------|-------------|----------|
168| Size contrast | 3-4x difference headline vs body | Impact, hierarchy |
169| All-caps headers | Uppercase with letter spacing | Authority, structure |
170| Monospace data | Fixed-width for numbers/code | Technical, precision |
171| Hand-drawn | Organic, imperfect letterforms | Friendly, approachable |
172 
173### Geometric Accents
174 
175| Element | Description | Best For |
176|---------|-------------|----------|
177| Diagonal dividers | Angled section separators | Energy, movement |
178| Corner brackets | L-shaped frames | Focus, framing |
179| Circles/hexagons | Shape frames for images | Modern, tech |
180| Underline accents | Thick lines under headers | Emphasis, hierarchy |
181 
182## Consistency Requirements
183 
184| Element | Guideline |
185|---------|-----------|
186| Spacing | Consistent margins and padding throughout |
187| Colors | Maximum 3-4 colors per slide, palette consistent across deck |
188| Typography | Same font families and sizes for same content types |
189| Visual Language | Repeat patterns, shapes, and treatments |
190 
191## Dimension Combination Guide
192 
193When combining dimensions, consider compatibility:
194 
195| Audience | Recommended Dimensions |
196|----------|----------------------|
197| Executives | clean + neutral + geometric + minimal |
198| Beginners | organic + warm + humanist + minimal |
199| General | any texture + any mood + humanist/geometric + balanced |
200| Experts | grid/clean + cool + technical + balanced/dense |
201 
202| Content Type | Recommended Dimensions |
203|--------------|----------------------|
204| Tutorial | organic + warm + handwritten + balanced |
205| Technical | grid + cool + technical + balanced |
206| Business | clean + professional + geometric + balanced |
207| Creative | organic + vibrant + humanist + balanced |
208| Data-heavy | clean + cool + technical + dense |
209