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8.7 KiB
8.7 KiB
Industry × Visual Style Matrix
This file provides recommended mappings from different industries/categories to visual styles. Load this file during Phase 2 (INSIGHT) and Phase 5 (REALIZE) when determining visual direction.
Important: This matrix is a starting point, not a destination. The best ads often break category visual conventions. How to use: First understand "what does this category's audience expect," then decide whether to "meet, subvert, or remix."
Food & Beverage
Visual Expectations
Vivid, appetizing, texture-forward, emphasizing freshness and experience.
Recommended Color Schemes
| Sub-category | Color Direction | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Beverages | Product color extensions, cool blue-green, bubble textures | Coca-Cola's red universe |
| Snacks | High-saturation warm tones, yellow-orange dominant, energetic feel | Lay's / Doritos |
| Health food | Natural greens, earth tones, organic textures | — |
| Fine dining | Dark backgrounds, precise lighting, gold accents | — |
Category Visual Conventions (Subversion Opportunities)
- Cliché: Slow-motion pouring / food falling
- Cliché: Exaggerated "mmm so delicious" expressions
- Cliché: Generic "ingredient sourcing" footage
- Subvert: Show food's "imperfection" (Burger King Moldy Whopper)
- Subvert: View food from a non-human perspective
Recommended Generation Tools
- Food textures →
midjourney_image_generation(--style raw) - Quick concepts →
nano_banana_image_generation - Posters with copy →
qwen_image_generation
Tech / Internet
Visual Expectations
Clean, futuristic, humanized technology, product UI showcase.
Recommended Color Schemes
| Sub-category | Color Direction | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Consumer electronics | Ultra-minimal white/black + product accent color | Apple |
| SaaS / tools | Gradient blue-purple, UI screenshot style | — |
| AI / frontier tech | Deep space tones, data visualization blue-green | — |
| Social platforms | Colorful, UGC feel, authenticity | — |
Category Visual Conventions (Subversion Opportunities)
- Cliché: Tech blue + particle effects + future city
- Cliché: Product exploded view + spec list
- Cliché: "Making the world a better place" empty narrative
- Subvert: Show high-tech through the most primitive means (handwriting vs. AI)
- Subvert: Show tech's "awkward moments" instead of perfect ones
Recommended Generation Tools
- Product rendering →
midjourney_image_generation - Abstract concepts →
openai_image_generation - UI mockups →
nano_banana_image_generation
Beauty / Personal Care
Visual Expectations
Refined textures, soft lighting, skin/hair detail emphasis, elegant colors.
Recommended Color Schemes
| Sub-category | Color Direction | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Skincare | Soft whites, nude pinks, dewy blues, translucent textures | — |
| Color cosmetics | Product color as dominant, artistic palettes | MAC / NARS |
| Fragrance | Dreamy gradients, metallic textures, ambiguous lighting | Chanel No.5 |
| Men's grooming | Dark tones, wood/leather textures, clean lines | Old Spice |
Category Visual Conventions (Subversion Opportunities)
- Cliché: Flawless model close-up + "make you more beautiful"
- Cliché: Product bottle 360° rotation + ingredient molecule animation
- Subvert: Show real skin / real people (Dove Real Beauty)
- Subvert: Use humor to break the category's "serious elegance" (Old Spice)
Recommended Generation Tools
- Portraits →
kling_image_generation(face mode) - Product texture →
midjourney_image_generation - Creative makeup →
nano_banana_image_generation
Automotive
Visual Expectations
High production value, dynamic feel, grand settings, precise color.
Recommended Color Schemes
| Positioning | Color Direction | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Luxury | Dark tones, metallic sheen, low-key high-contrast | Mercedes-Benz |
| Sport | High saturation + strong contrast, motion blur | BMW M Series |
| Family | Warm natural tones, sunlit feel, family scenes | — |
| Electric/NEV | Tech blue-green + natural green, contrasting combos | Tesla |
Category Visual Conventions (Subversion Opportunities)
- Cliché: Empty highway + sunset + car body close-up
- Cliché: "Command your life," "The road to freedom"
- Subvert: Never show the car (Volkswagen "Think Small")
- Subvert: Show a stationary car instead of a moving one
- Subvert: View from passenger/pedestrian/city perspective instead of driver's
Recommended Generation Tools
- Vehicle scenes →
midjourney_image_generation(--ar 16:9) - Concept art →
nano_banana_image_generation
Fashion / Luxury
Visual Expectations
Artistic, unique perspectives, emphasis on craftsmanship and attitude, bold composition.
Recommended Color Schemes
| Style | Color Direction | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Classic luxury | Black-gold-white, low saturation high quality | Chanel |
| Avant-garde fashion | Bold clashing colors, fluorescent/neon | Balenciaga |
| Casual luxury | Earth tones, natural light feel | Loro Piana |
| Streetwear | High contrast, graffiti textures, colorful | Supreme |
Category Visual Conventions (Subversion Opportunities)
- Cliché: Aloof supermodel + minimal white background
- Cliché: Expressionless "sophistication"
- Subvert: Show real life of the wearer instead of posed shots
- Subvert: Use documentary/gritty style instead of retouched perfection (Gucci's meme marketing)
Recommended Generation Tools
- Fashion editorial →
midjourney_image_generation - Style transfer →
kontext_image_generation - Character styling →
kling_image_generation
Finance / Insurance
Visual Expectations
Trust, stability, clarity, data visualization.
Recommended Color Schemes
| Type | Color Direction | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Traditional banking | Deep blue, deep green, gold, stable | — |
| Fintech | Gradient blue-purple, tech feel, youthful | — |
| Insurance | Warm tones, warmth and safety | — |
| Investment | Dark background + data green/blue, professional | — |
Category Visual Conventions (Subversion Opportunities)
- Cliché: Handshake + smile + "Trusted partner"
- Cliché: Happy family scene + "Prepare for the future"
- Subvert: Use humor to discuss serious financial topics
- Subvert: Show real financial anxiety instead of idealized futures (Thai Life Insurance series)
Recommended Generation Tools
- Concept scenes →
nano_banana_image_generation - Data visualization →
openai_image_generation
Non-Profit / Social Cause
Visual Expectations
Authenticity, emotional impact, concise power, call to action.
Recommended Color Schemes
| Cause | Color Direction | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental | "Damaged" versions of natural colors (withered yellow, grayed-out green) | WWF |
| Equality | Multicolor/rainbow, or extreme black-and-white | — |
| Health | High-contrast black-and-white, or medical white-blue | — |
| Education | Warm and bright, hopeful | — |
Category Visual Conventions (Subversion Opportunities)
- Cliché: Emotional suffering imagery + "Please help"
- Cliché: Shocking statistics in large type
- Subvert: Use beauty to tell harsh truths
- Subvert: Make the "victim" the protagonist rather than "the one being saved"
Recommended Generation Tools
- Documentary feel →
nano_banana_image_generation - Concept posters →
midjourney_image_generation - Text posters →
qwen_image_generation
Cross-Category Strategies
Remix Formula
When a brand crosses traditional category boundaries, use this remix formula:
Primary category's trust elements + Secondary category's creative techniques + Third category's emotional tone
Examples:
- Tech + Fashion = Minimal product display + bold colors + attitude copy
- Finance + Non-profit = Stable composition + real documentary + social insight
Category Subversion
The most memorable ads often subvert category visual expectations:
| Strategy | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Anti-color | Use an opposing category's color palette | Insurance ad using streetwear clashing colors |
| Anti-texture | Use an opposing category's visual quality | Luxury brand using smartphone-shot texture |
| Anti-tone | Use an opposing category's emotional tone | Financial ad using comedy |
| Anti-medium | Use an unexpected medium format | OOH brand doing ASMR |
Note: Subversion must have a reason — either it serves the insight, or it breaks the audience's stereotypes. Subverting purely for the sake of "being different" will only confuse the audience.