design-consultation

name	design-consultation
description	Build a complete design system or major design direction from scratch. Researches the competitive landscape, proposes creative risks, and generates realistic product mockups. Produces DESIGN_DIRECTION.md as the canonical design reference.
used_by	["ui-designer","ceo-thinking-partner"]

Design Consultation Skill

Use when:

• Starting a new product area from scratch
• PD says "what should this look like?" without a reference
• Redesigning an existing flow that isn't working
• Before a major visual overhaul

Process

Step 1 — Landscape Research: Look at 5-8 competing or adjacent products in your domain. For each, document:

• What works well
• What doesn't work
• What [PROJECT_NAME] should steal
• What to avoid

Write findings to docs/design-shots/landscape-[feature].md

Step 2 — Design Principles (propose 3-5): Based on the landscape + [PROJECT_NAME] brand, propose principles. Example:

1. "Trust-first" — every screen reduces [DOMAIN_ACTOR_2] anxiety about the service
2. "[Domain]-native" — not a generic app with a local skin. Domain-specific concepts are first-class.
3. "Progressive disclosure" — don't overwhelm. Show what's needed NOW.

Present to PD for approval. PD may edit, add, or reject principles.

Step 3 — Creative Risk (propose 1-2): One thing competitors DON'T do that [PROJECT_NAME] could:

• Example: "What if we show a compatibility score before you even click a [DOMAIN_ENTITY]?"
• Example: "What if [DOMAIN_ACTOR_2] sees a 30-second video intro from [DOMAIN_ACTOR_1]?"

Present to PD. PD approves or parks.

Step 4 — Mockup Generation: Using approved principles + design-system/MASTER.md tokens, generate:

• Key screens as React components (use design-html skill patterns)
• Save to src/components/[feature]-mockups/
• Build comparison board (use design-shotgun skill)

Step 5 — Document: Write or update design-system/DESIGN_DIRECTION.md:

• Landscape research summary
• Approved principles
• Creative risks (approved/parked)
• Key screen references
• Colour/type/spacing decisions with rationale

Post to Slack BUILD: "DESIGN CONSULTATION: [feature] — direction documented. Awaiting PD approval."