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adwave-images.mdc

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Adwave Blog Image Rules

Overview

These rules govern image planning, generation, and integration for all Adwave blog content. Images are essential for engagement, SEO, and breaking up text.

We use Gemini 3 Pro Image (Nano Banana Pro) via the nano-banana MCP server for all AI image generation.

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⚠️ MANDATORY: Image Count Checkpoint

BEFORE converting markdown to RichText, you MUST verify image count.

CategoryMin Total ImagesMin Body Images
Platform Guides43
Case Studies43
Comparison Posts43
Vertical Playbooks54
Statistics Posts54
How-To Guides54
Thought Leadership32

Checkpoint command:

# Count image references in draft
echo "Images in draft:" && grep -c "!\[" drafts/YYYY-MM-DD-[slug].md
echo "Minimum required: [CHECK TABLE ABOVE]"

If image count is below minimum:

  1. STOP - do not proceed to conversion
  2. Plan additional images for key sections
  3. Generate and add images to draft
  4. Re-verify count before proceeding

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Image Specifications

Standard Dimensions

ALL images must be 16:9 aspect ratio.

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BRAND COLOR PALETTE

ALL images use these THREE colors only. No exceptions.

ColorHex CodeUsage
Navy#222239Primary text, main doodles, outlines, solid tape
Teal#57b4adAccents, highlights, secondary elements, patterned tape
Lime#d7df27Bright accents, emphasis, celebratory elements (stars, sparkles)
Cream/Off-White-Background color only
Black/Grays-Only within realistic photographs

In prompts, ALWAYS specify colors with hex codes:

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HERO IMAGES: The "Digital Scrapbook" Master Style

Every hero image uses the Digital Scrapbook style. This approach makes complex B2B adtech content feel approachable, human, and actionable while maintaining professional brand identity.

The Non-Negotiables (Master Style Rules)

Every single hero image must adhere to these four core rules:

A. The Background Texture

The background is never plain flat white. It must always be a textured, off-white surface designed to look like physical media.

B. The Strict Color Palette

Stick rigorously to the THREE brand colors. Do not introduce other colors unless they are part of a realistic photograph.

C. The "Taped Down" Aesthetic

Nothing floats. Every main element (photos, charts, icons) must look physically attached to the background page.

D. The Hand-Drawn "Marker" Overlays

To add a human touch, every image must feature hand-drawn elements that look like they were sketched with a felt-tip marker.

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Hero Image Recipes by Category

Use these specific "recipes" based on the blog post type.

Type 1: Platform Guides (The "Technical Manual")

Visual Goal: Clarify complex technical ecosystems.

Central Elements: "Cutout" schematic drawings or wireframes of devices (e.g., Roku box, TV screen with UI). They should look like blueprints or technical diagrams.

Hand-Drawn Doodles: Technical annotations. Lines pointing to features labeled "System Diagram," arrows showing data flow, gears.

Key Vibe: Precise, structural, informative.

Type 2: Case Studies (The "Success Journal")

Visual Goal: Show human success and hard results.

Central Elements: A realistic, high-quality photo of a smiling person representing the business type (e.g., a chef, a dentist). The photo should look like a printed picture taped to the page.

Hand-Drawn Doodles: Celebratory and metric-focused. Big circles around key stats, upward-trending arrows, stars, confetti.

Key Vibe: Positive, proven, relatable.

Type 3: Comparison Posts (The "Pro/Con List")

Visual Goal: Visualize a clear choice or face-off.

Central Elements: A distinct vertical split down the center, often made with a strip of tape. Two distinct "cutout" icons on either side representing the competitors (e.g., retro TV vs. smartphone).

Hand-Drawn Doodles: Evaluation marks. Checkmarks on one side, X marks on the other. A large, sketched "VS" in the center.

Key Vibe: Clear contrast, decisive.

Type 4: Vertical Playbooks (The "Industry Mood Board")

Visual Goal: Signal immediate relevance to a specific trade.

Central Elements: A high-quality, aspirational photo relevant to the industry (e.g., a house with a "Sold" sign, a pristine restaurant kitchen).

Hand-Drawn Doodles: Thematic tools. Sketches of keys, hammers, stethoscopes, or chef hats surrounding the main photo. Banners labeling the industry focus.

Key Vibe: Targeted, specific, "this is for me."

Type 5: Statistics & Data (The "Field Research Note")

Visual Goal: Present hard facts coldly and objectively.

Central Elements: "Cutouts" of data visualizations—bar charts, pie graphs, or large, bold numbers. No people.

Hand-Drawn Doodles: Analytical tools. Magnifying glasses, precise arrows pointing to specific data points, double underlines for emphasis.

Key Vibe: Clinical, accurate, research-driven.

Type 6: How-To / Getting Started (The "DIY Project Plan")

Visual Goal: Show a simple, sequential process.

Central Elements: Three or four distinct "sticky notes" or index cards taped in a row, labeled 1, 2, 3. Each note contains a simple icon representing a step.

Hand-Drawn Doodles: Flow and connection. Curved arrows showing the progression from one step to the next.

Key Vibe: Simple, actionable, step-by-step.

Type 7: Thought Leadership (The "Vision Board")

Visual Goal: Illustrate abstract, future-forward concepts.

Central Elements: "Cutouts" of metaphorical objects. Glowing lightbulbs, wireframe brains, constellations, or abstract network maps.

Hand-Drawn Doodles: Visionary elements. Swirling, connecting lines, question marks, sparkles, arrows pointing toward the future.

Key Vibe: Smart, innovative, theoretical.

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CHARTS & DATA VISUALIZATIONS: The "Editorial Clean" Style

For charts and graphs within article bodies, use the Editorial Clean style. Maximum readability and professionalism, stripped of decorations to let data and brand colors speak.

Editorial Clean Rules

1. The Container & Background

The chart should feel integrated into the post, not like a separate "box."

2. The Strict Color Palette

ElementColorHex
Primary Data (Focus)Teal#57b4ad - main bars, trend lines, primary slice
Secondary Data (Context)Navy#222239 - comparison bars, remaining slices
Text & LinesNavy#222239 - titles, axis labels, data callouts
Accent/HighlightLime#d7df27 - sparingly for emphasis

3. The Typography Strategy

Text is a key design element. Big, bold, and high-contrast.

4. The Flat Visual Elements

Avoid all skeuomorphic or decorative effects.

5. The Minimalist Grid

Remove anything that doesn't directly aid comprehension.

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Text in Images: Best Practices

CRITICAL: Minimize Text to Avoid Typos

AI-generated text is prone to errors. Minimize text and verify every character.

Text Length Limits

How to Specify Text

Write exact text values directly in the prompt:

Post-Generation Review (MANDATORY)

After generating ANY image:

  1. Open at 100% zoom
  2. Read ALL text character by character
  3. Check for: typos, misspellings, wrong numbers, garbled text
  4. If errors found: use continue_editing to fix OR regenerate with less text
  5. Only proceed after ALL text passes review

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Troubleshooting Common Issues

Problem: Text has typos or wrong values

Fix:

Problem: Colors are wrong

Fix:

Problem: Elements look like they are floating

Fix:

Problem: Looks too digital/clean

Fix:

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Image File Management

Folder Structure

drafts/
├── YYYY-MM-DD-article-slug.md
└── images/
    └── YYYY-MM-DD-article-slug/
        ├── hero.png
        ├── chart-[description].png
        └── ...

File Naming Convention

hero.png
chart-[description].png
concept-[description].png
process-[description].png

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Quick Reference: Hero Image Checklist

Before generating any hero image:

After generating:

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