Visual Art Direction
Every venture needs images that sell the dream. Not decoration. Validation.
Phase-to-Visual Map
Each algorithm phase maps to a cinematic preset and a visual register. The subject seed is the starting point — override with the venture's specific metaphor.
| Phase | Preset | Position | Visual Register | Subject Seed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SCAN | Void Console | P4 Perspective | Expansive, dawn light | Constellation map — unknown cells glowing against dark void |
| DISCOVER | Red Thread | P1 Purpose | Warm, grounding | Single crimson thread connecting scattered truths to one point |
| VALIDATE | Dark Stage | P2 Principles | Solid, foundational | Stage gates as heavy doors — some open with light, some sealed |
| MODEL | Glass Podium | P3 Platform | Architectural, precise | Feedback loops as flowing water channels on frosted glass |
| FINANCE | Void Console | P5 Performance | Clean, clinical | Terminal with honest numbers — green for viable, amber for caution |
| STRATEGY | Dark Stage | P4 Perspective | Confident, cinematic | Territory map with positioning marked — your flag planted |
| PITCH | Red Thread | P1 Purpose | Warm, decisive | Five stones arranged with intention — each a compressed truth |
| SELL | Dark Stage | P3 Platform | Architectural, cinematic | Spiral staircase ascending — each step a persuasion layer |
| MEASURE | Void Console | P5 Performance | Precise, honest | Compass quadrant with bearing marked — course correction visible |
7-Element Prompt Anatomy
Every image prompt uses seven elements. Front-loaded words carry more weight.
| Element | Default | Override Field |
|---|---|---|
| Format | Cinematic photograph, 16:9 aspect ratio | [medium if different] |
| Subject | [from Subject Seed above] | [venture-specific metaphor] |
| Style | [from Preset seed prompt] | [additional style reference] |
| Colour | Muted earth tones, single red accent (#b91c1c) | [venture palette if different] |
| Mood | [from Visual Register above] | [venture mood if different] |
| Negative | No text, no watermarks, no AI artifacts, no stock photo aesthetic, no oversaturation, no perfect symmetry | [additional exclusions] |
| Parameters | --ar 16:9 --v 6 --s 250 --q 2 | [tool-specific flags] |
Hero Triptych
The berleytrails pattern: three panels telling a narrative arc. Every venture gets one.
| Panel | Arc Position | What It Shows | Visual Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| Left | Pain | Solo figure, isolated, fog or darkness | Cool, muted, constrained |
| Centre | Potential | Movement, attraction, light source | Warm accent, energy, direction |
| Right | Community | Multiple figures, horizon, dawn | Warm, expansive, arrival |
Triptych Prompt Template
Panel 1 (Pain):
"Cinematic photograph, 16:9. [Solo figure] in [constrained environment]. [Venture-specific pain metaphor]. Muted blue-grey palette, single dim light source from above. Melancholic, isolated. Rule of thirds, subject in lower-left. No text, no watermarks. --ar 16:9 --v 6 --s 250"
Panel 2 (Potential):
"Cinematic photograph, 16:9. [Movement/attraction]. [Venture-specific transformation metaphor]. Warm amber accent emerging from cool palette, golden light source from centre. Energetic, purposeful. Subject crossing from left-third to centre. No text, no watermarks. --ar 16:9 --v 6 --s 250"
Panel 3 (Community):
"Cinematic photograph, 16:9. [Multiple figures/elements] approaching [shared destination]. [Venture-specific outcome metaphor]. Warm golden-hour palette, wide horizon, dawn light. Expansive, arrived. Figures in lower-third, vast sky above. No text, no watermarks. --ar 16:9 --v 6 --s 250"
Venture-Specific Examples
| Venture | Pain Panel | Potential Panel | Community Panel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Berley Trails | Solo fisher in fog | Fish school forming around berley | Community on shore, nets full |
| Stackmates | Solo builder at empty desk | Code flowing between screens | Team shipping together at dawn |
| Prettymint | Artist staring at blank canvas | Colours emerging from first stroke | Gallery of completed works |
| Dreamineering | Navigator lost in data fog | Compass needle finding north | Fleet sailing in formation |
Page-Type Image Requirements
| Page | Required Images | Recommended Preset |
|---|---|---|
index.jsx (venture hero) | Hero triptych (3 panels as one image) | Venture-specific |
business-plan/index.mdx | 1 header image | Dark Stage |
prompt-deck/index.mdx | 1 per slide (5 total) | Red Thread |
business-plan/landing-page/index.mdx | Hero + 1 per section (3-4) | Dark Stage |
business-plan/feedback/index.mdx | 1 scorecard visual | Void Console |
Pipeline Usage
Generate prompts automatically:
# Single venture, all phases
node scripts/visual-prompts/index.mjs --venture=berleytrails
# Single venture, specific phase
node scripts/visual-prompts/index.mjs --venture=berleytrails --phase=pitch
# Hero triptych only
node scripts/visual-prompts/index.mjs --venture=berleytrails --triptych
# Batch all ventures missing images
node scripts/visual-prompts/index.mjs --batch-ventures --missing-only
Output: structured JSON with prompts ready for Midjourney, Flux, or other generation tools.
Image Naming Convention
static/img/ventures/{slug}/{page}-{concept}.png
Examples:
static/img/ventures/berleytrails/hero-triptych.pngstatic/img/ventures/berleytrails/bizplan-header.pngstatic/img/ventures/stackmates/hero-triptych.pngstatic/img/ventures/stackmates/pitch-slide-1.png
Questions
Does the hero triptych tell the venture's story without any text — and if you need words to explain it, which panel is failing?
- Which cinematic preset feels wrong for your venture — and what does that mismatch reveal about your positioning?
- If you showed the triptych to your target user, would they see themselves in the pain panel?
- What image would your competitor never use — and should you?