Banner Design

---
name: banner-design
description: Banner design for social media, ads, web, print. 22 art direction styles, exact platform sizes, safe zones, export workflow. Use when creating banners, covers, headers for Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, Instagram, Google Ads, website hero.
domain: content
author: claudekit
license: MIT
subdomain: banner
tags:
- banner
- design
- social-media
- ads
- cover
- header
- export
- html-css
- screenshot
version: 1.0.0
category: content
---

# Banner Design - Multi-Format Creative Banner System

Design banners across social, ads, web, and print formats. Generates multiple art direction options per request with AI-powered visual elements. This skill handles banner design only. Does NOT handle video editing, full website design, or print production.

## When to Use

- User requests banner, cover, or header design
- Social media cover/header creation
- Ad banner or display ad design
- Website hero section visual design
- Event/print banner design
- Creative asset generation for campaigns

## Prerequisites

**Python:** This skill uses Python scripts. On Windows, use `python` instead of `python3` (e.g., `python scripts/search.py` instead of `python3 scripts/search.py`).

## Workflow

### Step 1: Gather Requirements (AskUserQuestion)

Collect via AskUserQuestion:
1. **Purpose** — social cover, ad banner, website hero, print, or creative asset?
2. **Platform/size** — which platform or custom dimensions?
3. **Content** — headline, subtext, CTA, logo placement?
4. **Brand** — existing brand guidelines? (check `docs/brand-guidelines.md`)
5. **Style preference** — any art direction? (show style options if unsure)
6. **Quantity** — how many options to generate? (default: 3)

### Step 2: Research & Art Direction

1. Activate `ui-ux-pro-max` skill for design intelligence
2. Use Chrome browser to research Pinterest for design references:
   ```
   Navigate to pinterest.com → search "[purpose] banner design [style]"
   Screenshot 3-5 reference pins for art direction inspiration
   ```
3. Select 2-3 complementary art direction styles from references:
   `references/banner-sizes-and-styles.md`

### Step 3: Design & Generate Options

For each art direction option:

1. **Create HTML/CSS banner** using `frontend-design` skill
   - Use exact platform dimensions from size reference
   - Apply safe zone rules (critical content in central 70-80%)
   - Max 2 typefaces, single CTA, 4.5:1 contrast ratio
   - Inject brand context via `inject-brand-context.cjs`

2. **Generate visual elements** with AI image generation
   - Use `ai-multimodal` or `geminigen-ai` skills for visuals
   - Generate backgrounds, patterns, illustrations, product shots
   - Aspect ratios: `1:1`, `16:9`, `9:16`, `3:4`, `4:3`, `2:3`, `3:2`
   - Match to platform - e.g., Twitter header = `3:1` (use `3:2` closest), Instagram story = `9:16`

3. **Compose final banner** — overlay text, CTA, logo on generated visual in HTML/CSS

### Step 4: Export Banners to Images

After designing HTML banners, export each to PNG using Chrome DevTools:

1. **Serve HTML files** via local server (python http.server or similar)
2. **Screenshot each banner** at exact platform dimensions:
   ```bash
   # Export banner to PNG at exact dimensions
   # Use Playwright/Puppeteer or Chrome DevTools screenshot
   ```
3. **Auto-compress** if >5MB (Sharp compression built-in)

**Output path convention**:
```
assets/banners/{campaign}/
├── minimalist-1500x500.png
├── gradient-1500x500.png
├── bold-type-1500x500.png
├── minimalist-1080x1080.png    # if multi-size requested
└── ...
```

- Use kebab-case for filenames: `{style}-{width}x{height}.{ext}`
- Date prefix for time-sensitive campaigns: `{YYMMDD}-{style}-{size}.png`
- Campaign folder groups all variants together

### Step 5: Present Options & Iterate

Present all exported images side-by-side. For each option show:
- Art direction style name
- Exported PNG preview
- Key design rationale
- File path & dimensions

Iterate based on user feedback until approved.

## Banner Size Quick Reference

| Platform | Type | Size (px) | Aspect Ratio |
|----------|------|-----------|--------------|
| Facebook | Cover | 820 × 312 | ~2.6:1 |
| Twitter/X | Header | 1500 × 500 | 3:1 |
| LinkedIn | Personal | 1584 × 396 | 4:1 |
| YouTube | Channel art | 2560 × 1440 | 16:9 |
| Instagram | Story | 1080 × 1920 | 9:16 |
| Instagram | Post | 1080 × 1080 | 1:1 |
| Google Ads | Med Rectangle | 300 × 250 | 6:5 |
| Google Ads | Leaderboard | 728 × 90 | 8:1 |
| Website | Hero | 1920 × 600-1080 | ~3:1 |

Full reference: `references/banner-sizes-and-styles.md`

## Art Direction Styles (Top 10)

| Style | Best For | Key Elements |
|-------|----------|--------------|
| Minimalist | SaaS, tech | White space, 1-2 colors, clean type |
| Bold Typography | Announcements | Oversized type as hero element |
| Gradient | Modern brands | Mesh gradients, chromatic blends |
| Photo-Based | Lifestyle, e-com | Full-bleed photo + text overlay |
| Geometric | Tech, fintech | Shapes, grids, abstract patterns |
| Retro/Vintage | F&B, craft | Distressed textures, muted colors |
| Glassmorphism | SaaS, apps | Frosted glass, blur, glow borders |
| Neon/Cyberpunk | Gaming, events | Dark bg, glowing neon accents |
| Editorial | Media, luxury | Grid layouts, pull quotes |
| 3D/Sculptural | Product, tech | Rendered objects, depth, shadows |

Full 22 styles: `references/banner-sizes-and-styles.md`

## Design Rules

- **Safe zones**: critical content in central 70-80% of canvas
- **CTA**: one per banner, bottom-right, min 44px height, action verb
- **Typography**: max 2 fonts, min 16px body, ≥32px headline
- **Text ratio**: under 20% for ads (Meta penalizes heavy text)
- **Print**: 300 DPI, CMYK, 3-5mm bleed
- **Brand**: always inject via `inject-brand-context.cjs`

## Integration

- **ui-ux-pro-max** — Use for design intelligence and style selection
- **brand** — Inject brand context and validate assets
- **geminigen-ai** — Generate AI visuals for banners
- **frontend-design** — Build HTML/CSS banner layouts