Skeuomorphism

STYLEKIT_STYLE_REFERENCE
style_name: Skeuomorphism
style_slug: skeuomorphism
style_source: /styles/skeuomorphism

# Hard Prompt

## When To Use
Use this when you want AI to generate code with strict style consistency. It is the safest default for production UI.

## How To Use
- Copy the full prompt into ChatGPT, Claude, Cursor, or another coding assistant.
- Append the concrete product/page requirement after the prompt.
- After generation, check the forbidden rules and interaction states before accepting the output.

Strictly follow the style rules below and maintain consistency. No style drift allowed.

## Requirements

- Prioritize style consistency first, then creative extension.
- When conflicts arise, treat prohibitions as the highest priority.
- Self-check before output: verify colors, typography, spacing, and interactions still match this style.

## Style Rules

You are a Skeuomorphism design style frontend development expert. All generated code must strictly follow these constraints:

## Absolute Prohibitions

- Using flat solid color blocks
- Omitting shadow and highlight effects
- Using overly simplified icons
- Ignoring material and texture details

## Must Follow

- Gradient backgrounds bg-gradient-to-b from-gray-100 to-gray-300
- Complex shadows shadow-[0_4px_8px_rgba(0,0,0,0.3),inset_0_1px_0_rgba(255,255,255,0.8)]
- Border layers border border-gray-400
- Moderate radii rounded-lg
- Press feedback active:translate-y-[1px]

## Color Palette

- Use natural material tones
- Leather brown: #8b7355
- Wood beige: #d4c4a8
- Metal silver: #c0c0c0
- Paper white: #f5f5dc

## Light & Shadow Principles

- Top highlight (inset 0 1px 0 rgba(255,255,255,0.8))
- Bottom dark edge (inset 0 -1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.1))
- Outer drop shadow (0 4px 8px rgba(0,0,0,0.3))

## Animation & Interaction Rules

- Tactile Resistance: Active state uses short press and tighter outer shadow, simulating key damping, no bouncy scaling.
- Fixed Illuminant: Top highlight and bottom dark edge remain stable in hover and active, ensuring light source always comes from above.
- Texture Shimmer: Material layer allows slight background-position shift, expressing light changes on brushed metal or leather texture.
- Embossed Focus: Input focus prioritizes deepening inset shadow rather than strong outer glow outline.

---

# Skeuomorphism Design System

> A digital design style that simulates real-world objects through textures, lighting, and materials to mimic physical items, bringing familiarity and intuitive experiences.

## Design Philosophy

Skeuomorphism is a design approach that simulates the appearance and behavior of real-world objects, widely used in early iOS and digital products.

Core principles:
- Realistic simulation: Interface elements mimic the appearance and feel of real objects
- Material textures: Real material textures like leather, wood, and metal
- Light and shadow depth: Creating dimensionality through highlights and shadows
- Familiar intuition: Leveraging users' real-world knowledge to reduce learning costs

---

## Token Dictionary (exact class mapping)

### Border
```
Width: border
Color: border-[#a89880]
Radius: rounded-lg
```

### Shadow
```
sm: shadow-[0_1px_3px_rgba(0,0,0,0.12),0_1px_2px_rgba(0,0,0,0.24)]
md: shadow-[0_3px_6px_rgba(0,0,0,0.16),0_3px_6px_rgba(0,0,0,0.23)]
lg: shadow-[0_10px_20px_rgba(0,0,0,0.19),0_6px_6px_rgba(0,0,0,0.23)]
hover: hover:shadow-[0_14px_28px_rgba(0,0,0,0.25),0_10px_10px_rgba(0,0,0,0.22)]
focus: focus:shadow-[0_3px_6px_rgba(0,0,0,0.16),0_3px_6px_rgba(0,0,0,0.23)]
```

### Interaction
```
Hover translate: hover:-translate-y-px
Hover scale: (none)
Hover opacity: (none)
Transition: transition-all duration-200 ease-out
Active: active:translate-y-px
```

### Typefaces
```
Heading: font-sans font-bold
Body: font-sans
Mono: font-mono
```

### Type scale
```
Hero: text-3xl md:text-5xl lg:text-6xl
H1: text-2xl md:text-4xl
H2: text-xl md:text-3xl
H3: text-lg md:text-xl
Body: text-sm md:text-base
Small: text-xs md:text-sm
```

### Spacing
```
Section: py-10 md:py-16 lg:py-24
Container: px-4 md:px-8 lg:px-12
Card: p-4 md:p-6
Gap sm: gap-2 md:gap-3
Gap md: gap-3 md:gap-5
Gap lg: gap-5 md:gap-8
```

### Color roles
```
Background primary: bg-gradient-to-b from-[#e8dfd1] to-[#d4c4a8]
Background secondary: bg-[#8b7355]
Background accent: bg-[#b8a88a], bg-[#6b5b45], bg-[#c9b896], bg-[#a0926e]
Text primary: text-[#3a2f22]
Text secondary: text-[#6b5b45]
Text muted: text-[#8b7355]
Button primary: bg-gradient-to-b from-[#b8a88a] to-[#8b7355] text-white
Button secondary: bg-gradient-to-b from-[#e8dfd1] to-[#d4c4a8] text-[#3a2f22]
```

---

## [FORBIDDEN]

These classes are banned in this style. Check for them before returning code:

### Banned classes
- `bg-white`
- `bg-black`
- `border-black`
- `border-4`
- `shadow-[2px_2px_0px`
- `shadow-[4px_4px_0px`
- `shadow-[8px_8px_0px`
- `rounded-none`
- `font-black`

### Banned patterns
- matches `^shadow-\[\d+px_\d+px_0px`
- matches `^rounded-none$`
- matches `^bg-(?:white|black)$`
- matches `^border-(?:black|4)$`

### Why they are banned
- `shadow-[4px_4px_0px`: Skeuomorphism uses realistic multi-layer blurred shadows, not hard-edge
- `rounded-none`: Skeuomorphism uses moderate rounding (rounded-lg) for realistic surfaces
- `bg-white`: Skeuomorphism uses textured gradient backgrounds, not flat colors
- `border-black`: Skeuomorphism uses subtle tonal borders matching the surface material

> WARNING: if your code contains any of the above, replace it before shipping.

---

## [REQUIRED]

### Every button must include
```
rounded-lg
border border-[#a89880]
shadow-[0_3px_6px_rgba(0,0,0,0.16),0_3px_6px_rgba(0,0,0,0.23)]
hover:-translate-y-px
transition-all duration-200 ease-out
font-bold
```

### Every card must include
```
rounded-lg
border border-[#a89880]
shadow-[0_3px_6px_rgba(0,0,0,0.16),0_3px_6px_rgba(0,0,0,0.23)]
bg-gradient-to-b from-[#e8dfd1] to-[#d4c4a8]
```

### Every input must include
```
rounded-lg
border border-[#a89880]
bg-[#f5efe6]
font-sans
focus:shadow-[0_3px_6px_rgba(0,0,0,0.16),0_3px_6px_rgba(0,0,0,0.23)]
focus:outline-none
```

---

## [COMPARE] Skeuomorphism wrong vs right

The wrong examples below stand for generic library defaults that were never adapted to this style. Do not read them as visual suggestions.

### Button

[WRONG] **Wrong** (generic component library default, do not copy):
```html
<button class="{GENERIC_LIBRARY_BUTTON_DEFAULT}">
  Click me
</button>
```

[CORRECT] **Right** (uses this style's tokens):
```html
<button class="rounded-lg border border-[#a89880] shadow-[0_3px_6px_rgba(0,0,0,0.16),0_3px_6px_rgba(0,0,0,0.23)] hover:-translate-y-px transition-all duration-200 ease-out font-bold bg-gradient-to-b from-[#b8a88a] to-[#8b7355] text-white">
  Click me
</button>
```

### Card

[WRONG] **Wrong** (generic card, not adapted to this style):
```html
<div class="{GENERIC_LIBRARY_CARD_DEFAULT}">
  <h3>{TITLE}</h3>
</div>
```

[CORRECT] **Right** (uses this style's card tokens):
```html
<div class="rounded-lg border border-[#a89880] shadow-[0_3px_6px_rgba(0,0,0,0.16),0_3px_6px_rgba(0,0,0,0.23)] bg-gradient-to-b from-[#e8dfd1] to-[#d4c4a8] p-4 md:p-6">
  <h3 class="font-sans font-bold text-lg md:text-xl">{TITLE}</h3>
</div>
```

### Input

[WRONG] **Wrong** (generic input, not adapted to this style):
```html
<input class="{GENERIC_LIBRARY_INPUT_DEFAULT}" />
```

[CORRECT] **Right** (uses this style's input tokens):
```html
<input class="rounded-lg border border-[#a89880] bg-[#f5efe6] font-sans focus:shadow-[0_3px_6px_rgba(0,0,0,0.16),0_3px_6px_rgba(0,0,0,0.23)] focus:outline-none" placeholder="{PLACEHOLDER}" />
```

---

## [TEMPLATES] Skeuomorphism page skeletons

These skeletons use this style's tokens only. Replace `{PLACEHOLDER}` values, but keep every token in place:

### Navigation
```html
<nav class="bg-gradient-to-b from-[#e8dfd1] to-[#d4c4a8] text-[#3a2f22] border border-[#a89880] px-4 md:px-8 lg:px-12">
  <div class="flex items-center justify-between max-w-6xl mx-auto gap-3 md:gap-5">
    <a href="/" class="font-sans font-bold text-lg md:text-xl">
      {LOGO_TEXT}
    </a>
    <div class="flex gap-3 md:gap-5 font-sans text-xs md:text-sm">
      {NAV_LINKS}
    </div>
  </div>
</nav>
```

### Hero section
```html
<section class="bg-[#b8a88a] text-[#3a2f22] py-10 md:py-16 lg:py-24 px-4 md:px-8 lg:px-12">
  <div class="max-w-4xl mx-auto">
    <h1 class="font-sans font-bold text-3xl md:text-5xl lg:text-6xl">
      {HEADLINE}
    </h1>
    <p class="font-sans text-sm md:text-base max-w-xl">
      {SUBHEADLINE}
    </p>
    <button class="rounded-lg border border-[#a89880] shadow-[0_3px_6px_rgba(0,0,0,0.16),0_3px_6px_rgba(0,0,0,0.23)] hover:-translate-y-px transition-all duration-200 ease-out font-bold bg-gradient-to-b from-[#b8a88a] to-[#8b7355] text-white">
      {CTA_TEXT}
    </button>
  </div>
</section>
```

### Card grid
```html
<section class="bg-gradient-to-b from-[#e8dfd1] to-[#d4c4a8] text-[#3a2f22] py-10 md:py-16 lg:py-24 px-4 md:px-8 lg:px-12">
  <div class="max-w-6xl mx-auto">
    <h2 class="font-sans font-bold text-xl md:text-3xl">{SECTION_TITLE}</h2>
    <div class="grid grid-cols-1 md:grid-cols-2 lg:grid-cols-3 gap-3 md:gap-5">
      <!-- Card template - repeat for each card -->
      <div class="rounded-lg border border-[#a89880] shadow-[0_3px_6px_rgba(0,0,0,0.16),0_3px_6px_rgba(0,0,0,0.23)] bg-gradient-to-b from-[#e8dfd1] to-[#d4c4a8] p-4 md:p-6">
        <h3 class="font-sans font-bold text-lg md:text-xl">{CARD_TITLE}</h3>
        <p class="font-sans text-sm md:text-base text-[#8b7355]">{CARD_DESCRIPTION}</p>
      </div>
    </div>
  </div>
</section>
```

### Form input
```html
<input class="rounded-lg border border-[#a89880] bg-[#f5efe6] font-sans focus:shadow-[0_3px_6px_rgba(0,0,0,0.16),0_3px_6px_rgba(0,0,0,0.23)] focus:outline-none" placeholder="{PLACEHOLDER}" />
```

### Footer
```html
<footer class="bg-[#8b7355] text-[#6b5b45] py-10 md:py-16 lg:py-24 px-4 md:px-8 lg:px-12">
  <div class="max-w-6xl mx-auto">
    <div class="grid grid-cols-1 md:grid-cols-3 gap-5 md:gap-8">
      <div>
        <span class="font-sans font-bold text-lg md:text-xl">{LOGO_TEXT}</span>
        <p class="font-sans text-xs md:text-sm">{TAGLINE}</p>
      </div>
      <div>
        <h4 class="font-sans font-bold text-lg md:text-xl">{COLUMN_TITLE}</h4>
        <ul class="font-sans text-xs md:text-sm">
          {FOOTER_LINKS}
        </ul>
      </div>
    </div>
  </div>
</footer>
```

---

## [CHECKLIST] Skeuomorphism post-generation self check

**Before returning code, verify every token and rule below. Fix any violation before delivering:**

### Token check
- [ ] Button includes: `rounded-lg border border-[#a89880] shadow-[0_3px_6px_rgba(0,0,0,0.16),0_3px_6px_rgba(0,0,0,0.23)] hover:-translate-y-px transition-all duration-200 ease-out font-bold`
- [ ] Card includes: `rounded-lg border border-[#a89880] shadow-[0_3px_6px_rgba(0,0,0,0.16),0_3px_6px_rgba(0,0,0,0.23)] bg-gradient-to-b from-[#e8dfd1] to-[#d4c4a8]`
- [ ] Input includes: `rounded-lg border border-[#a89880] bg-[#f5efe6] font-sans focus:shadow-[0_3px_6px_rgba(0,0,0,0.16),0_3px_6px_rgba(0,0,0,0.23)] focus:outline-none`

### Forbidden check
- [ ] Not using `bg-white`
- [ ] Not using `bg-black`
- [ ] Not using `border-black`
- [ ] Not using `border-4`
- [ ] Not using `shadow-[2px_2px_0px`
- [ ] Not using `shadow-[4px_4px_0px`
- [ ] Not using `shadow-[8px_8px_0px`
- [ ] Not using `rounded-none`

### Style rule check
- [ ] Use real material textures (leather, wood, metal)
- [ ] Add realistic light and shadow effects
- [ ] Simulate physical button press feedback
- [ ] Use gradients to create dimensionality
- [ ] Add delicate edge highlights

### Style drift check
- [ ] Does not violate: Do NOT use flat solid color blocks
- [ ] Does not violate: Do NOT omit shadows and highlights
- [ ] Does not violate: Do NOT use overly simplified icons
- [ ] Does not violate: Do NOT ignore material and texture details

### Delivery check
- [ ] Responsive layout holds on phone, tablet and desktop with no horizontal overflow
- [ ] Every interactive element has a visible focus state, an accessible name and a reduced-motion path
- [ ] Text contrast meets WCAG AA and colour alone never carries state
- [ ] The result is still recognizable at a glance as Skeuomorphism

## Absolute Bans (Match and Refuse)

If any of the following patterns appear, it is a style violation — rewrite without exception.

- use flat solid color blocks
- omit shadows and highlights
- use overly simplified icons
- ignore material and texture details

## Self-Check (Verify Before Shipping)

If any item fails, the style has drifted — fix before shipping.

- [ ] No purple-to-blue gradients
- [ ] No overused fonts (Inter, Roboto, Geist, Fraunces, Plus Jakarta Sans)
- [ ] No nested cards (cards inside cards)
- [ ] No gray text on colored backgrounds
- [ ] Body text contrast meets WCAG AA (>= 4.5:1)
- [ ] No bounce or elastic easing curves
- [ ] Animations have a prefers-reduced-motion fallback
- [ ] Body text line length capped at 65-75 characters
- [ ] No side-stripe accent borders (border-left/right > 1px)
- [ ] No gradient text (background-clip: text)
- [ ] No glassmorphism used as the default surface treatment
- [ ] No tiny uppercase tracked eyebrow labels above every section heading
- [ ] do NOT use flat solid color blocks
- [ ] do NOT omit shadows and highlights
- [ ] do NOT use overly simplified icons
- [ ] do NOT ignore material and texture details