| name | retro-tech-illustration |
| description | Create retro tech art style visual content including images, illustrations, and design documents. Covers Synthwave, Vaporwave, Cyberpunk, retro comics, and retro-futuristic aesthetics. Use for neon-grid landscapes, pixel art, vaporwave scenes, CRT and halftone effects, color palettes, and typography systems for nostalgic 80s/90s tech-noir projects. |
Retro Tech Art Creator
Create retro tech art style visual content and documents. Primary output is images; documents are secondary.
Reference Source
- Type: Uploaded artifacts (DOCX + PDF + XLSX)
- Reference artifact types: DOCX, PDF, XLSX
- Reference File Type: PDF
- Style contracts: Extracted from concrete visual reference (PDF pages)
Supported Outputs
| Output | Purpose |
|---|
| Image (PNG/JPG) | Primary output - retro art illustrations, concept art, comic panels |
| PDF | Styled design guides, reference documents |
| DOCX | Editable design guides, style manuals |
| PPTX | Presentation decks about retro art styles |
Default output: Image when user requests art; PDF when user requests a document/guide.
Core Workflow
1. Determine Output Type
- User requests artwork/illustration/comic -> Generate image(s)
- User requests guide/document/reference -> Create PDF or DOCX
- User requests presentation -> Create PPTX
2. Identify Sub-Style
Read references/style_contract.md section "Sub-Styles" for detailed guidance. Quick reference:
| Sub-Style | Key Visual | Mood | Use For |
|---|
| Synthwave | Neon grid, sunset, sports cars | Nostalgic energy | Music covers, game art |
| Vaporwave | Statues, glitch, consumer culture | Ironic melancholy | Art prints, album art |
| Cyberpunk | Neon rain, skyscrapers, noir | Dystopian | Comic panels, character art |
| Y2K Futurism | Transparent, metallic, organic | Tech optimism | UI mockups, product design |
| Frutiger Aero | Glossy, nature, blue-green | Fresh, friendly | Brand design, icons |
| Atom Punk | Atomic age, space optimism | Optimistic future | Posters, illustrations |
| Retro Comic | Halftone, bold lines, action | Dynamic, expressive | Comic panels, storyboards |
3. Apply Visual Style Contract
Read references/style_contract.md for full details. Key rules:
- Dark backgrounds: Use
#0b0b0f (deep blue-black) or #1a0f2e (dark purple)
- Neon accents: Hot pink
#ff2aa3, electric cyan #00f5ff, purple #7b2cff
- Highlights: Bright yellow
#ffe600, orange #ff7a00
- Text color: Off-white
#e7e7ff on dark backgrounds
- Typography: Bold sans-serif for headings; pixel/retro fonts for UI elements; brush/script for decorative accents
- Textures: CRT scanlines, VHS glitch, halftone dots, film grain, chrome/metallic
- Graphic elements: Laser grids, retro sun, wireframes, pixel art, palm silhouettes
4. Generate or Compose
For images: Use the image generation tool with detailed prompts incorporating:
- Sub-style identification
- Color palette (from style contract)
- Texture effects (CRT, halftone, grain)
- Specific graphic elements (grids, sun, wireframes)
- Aspect ratio appropriate to content
For documents: Follow references/structure_contract.md for section hierarchy and layout.
Color Palette Quick Reference
Synthwave Sunset
#ffd319 -> #ff901f -> #ff2975 -> #f222ff -> #8c1eff
Neon Arcade
Hot pink #ff2aa3, electric cyan #00f5ff, purple #7b2cff, yellow #ffe600
CRT Glow
Deep blue #0b0b0f, neon green #00ff88, blue #00d2ff
Cyberpunk Noir
Black #0a0a0a, red #ff003c, cyan #00f0ff, purple #7b00ff, yellow #fffc00
Typography Strategy
- Reference font: LiberationSerif (from PDF source)
- CJK support: Use Noto Sans CJK SC or system CJK fonts for Chinese content
- Heading style: Bold, large sans-serif (Commando, Hauser class) or serif with weight
- Body style: Clean sans-serif or serif for readability
- Decorative: Brush/script fonts (Streamster, Road Rage class) for accents
- Retro UI: Pixel fonts (VCR OSD Mono class) for tech/screen elements
For document output, always ensure CJK-capable font selection. Prefer a unified font strategy using Noto Sans CJK SC for all text when Chinese content is present.
Asset Generation
When generating images, include these visual elements as appropriate:
- Laser grid: Glowing neon grid lines extending to vanishing point
- Retro sun: Large setting sun with horizontal stripes (yellow to magenta gradient)
- Wireframe: Low-polygon 3D rendered style
- Pixel art: 8-bit / 16-bit game style pixel patterns
- Palm silhouettes: Tropical Miami vibe
- Chrome text: High-reflection metallic surface with gradient shine
- CRT overlay: Scanlines, RGB phosphor dots, screen curvature, vignette
Reference Files
| File | When to Read |
|---|
references/style_contract.md | Full color, typography, texture, and element specifications |
references/structure_contract.md | Document section hierarchy, table formats, heading levels, page layout rules |
references/sota_analysis.md | How contracts were derived from reference artifacts |
