# Project Standards - Fantasy Universe Visual Guidelines

## Universal Quality Requirements

### Technical Standards
- **Resolution**: Minimum 1024x1024 pixels for all generated images
- **Format**: PNG for final images, JPEG acceptable for iterations
- **Aspect Ratios**: 
  - Character portraits: 3:4 or 1:1
  - Location shots: 16:9 or 3:2
  - Scene compositions: 16:9 or 2:1 cinematic
- **Quality Level**: Professional, publication-ready imagery

### Visual Consistency Markers

#### Character Requirements
- **Facial Features**: Must remain identical across all generations
- **Body Proportions**: Consistent height, build, and physical characteristics
- **Distinguishing Marks**: Scars, tattoos, birthmarks must appear consistently
- **Hair**: Color, texture, length, and style must match established descriptions
- **Clothing Style**: Character-appropriate attire reflecting their role and world

#### Location Requirements
- **Architectural Style**: Must align with established world-building guidelines
- **Color Palette**: Consistent environmental colors and lighting
- **Scale and Proportions**: Realistic and consistent building/landscape sizes
- **Signature Elements**: Unique identifying features that make locations recognizable

## Art Style Guidelines

### Primary Visual Style
**Fantasy Realism with Cinematic Quality**
- Photorealistic rendering with fantasy elements seamlessly integrated
- Rich, saturated colors with dramatic lighting
- High contrast and depth of field for visual impact
- Professional photography composition principles

### Lighting Philosophy
- **Golden Hour Preference**: Warm, dramatic lighting for most scenes
- **Atmospheric Lighting**: Volumetric effects, god rays, and environmental ambiance
- **Character Lighting**: Three-point lighting setup for portraits
- **Location Lighting**: Natural environmental lighting with enhancement

### Color Palette Framework

#### World-Specific Palettes
**Urban/Civilization Areas:**
- Primary: Warm earth tones (browns, golds, bronze)
- Secondary: Deep blues and purples for magical elements
- Accent: Bright metallics (gold, silver, copper)

**Natural/Wilderness Areas:**
- Primary: Rich greens and earth browns
- Secondary: Sky blues and cloud whites
- Accent: Seasonal colors (autumn reds, spring yellows)

**Magical/Mystical Areas:**
- Primary: Deep purples and midnight blues
- Secondary: Ethereal whites and silvers
- Accent: Glowing energies (electric blue, violet, gold)

## Character Design Standards

### Consistency Requirements
- **Unique Identifier System**: Each character must have 3-5 distinctive features
- **Feature Hierarchy**: Primary (face, hair), Secondary (clothing, accessories), Tertiary (posture, expressions)
- **Evolution Guidelines**: Characters may age or change, but core features remain constant

### Clothing and Accessories
- **Cultural Appropriateness**: Attire must reflect character's origin world/culture
- **Functional Design**: Clothing should serve the character's role and activities
- **Material Consistency**: Fabrics and textures appropriate to world's technology level
- **Symbolic Elements**: Rank insignia, cultural symbols, personal totems

### Expression and Pose Guidelines
- **Personality Reflection**: Facial expressions and body language must match character personality
- **Scene Appropriateness**: Emotions and reactions suitable to narrative context
- **Dynamic Composition**: Avoid static, lifeless poses
- **Interaction Awareness**: Characters should appear naturally integrated into their environment

## Location Design Standards

### Architectural Consistency
- **Cultural Cohesion**: Buildings reflect the civilization that created them
- **Material Logic**: Construction materials available in the world/region
- **Scale Realism**: Proportions appropriate for intended inhabitants
- **Functional Design**: Structures serve clear purposes within the world

### Environmental Integration
- **Geographic Logic**: Landscapes consistent with established world geography
- **Climate Consistency**: Weather and seasonal effects appropriate to region
- **Ecosystem Coherence**: Flora and fauna suitable to the environment
- **Magical Integration**: Supernatural elements naturally woven into the environment

## Scene Composition Standards

### Storytelling Through Imagery
- **Narrative Clarity**: The image should advance or illustrate the story
- **Emotional Resonance**: Visual mood matches narrative tone
- **Character Focus**: Clear protagonist/subject hierarchy
- **Environmental Storytelling**: Background elements support the narrative

### Technical Composition
- **Rule of Thirds**: Strategic placement of key elements
- **Depth Layers**: Foreground, midground, background clearly defined
- **Leading Lines**: Visual elements guide viewer attention
- **Framing**: Natural frames within the scene enhance focus

## Quality Assurance Criteria

### Mandatory Checks
1. **Character Recognition**: Can established characters be immediately identified?
2. **Location Verification**: Does the location match established descriptions?
3. **Style Consistency**: Does the image align with world visual guidelines?
4. **Technical Quality**: Professional-grade execution and clarity?
5. **Narrative Appropriateness**: Does the image serve the story?

### Rejection Criteria
- Character features don't match established descriptions
- Location elements contradict world-building guidelines
- Art style deviates from established visual framework
- Technical quality below professional standards
- Narrative disconnect with established story context

## Iterative Improvement Framework

### Version Control
- **V1**: Initial generation following base prompt
- **V2**: First iteration addressing primary issues
- **V3**: Refinement focusing on consistency and quality
- **Final**: Approved version meeting all standards

### Improvement Priorities
1. **Character Consistency** (highest priority)
2. **Location Accuracy**
3. **Style Alignment**
4. **Technical Quality**
5. **Narrative Enhancement**

### Documentation Requirements
- Archive successful prompts for pattern recognition
- Document failed approaches to avoid repetition
- Maintain consistency logs for character and location evolution
- Track style guide refinements and updates

## Special Considerations

### Cross-Scene Continuity
- Characters must appear consistent across different locations
- Locations must maintain their identity across different scenes
- Time progression should be visually coherent (aging, seasonal changes)
- Magical or supernatural elements should follow established rules

### Cultural Sensitivity
- Fantasy cultures should be internally consistent
- Avoid real-world cultural appropriation in costume and architecture
- Respect the internal logic of created civilizations
- Maintain dignity in character representation

### Technology Integration
- Use available tools (reference images, style guides) effectively
- Leverage prompt engineering best practices
- Maintain backup and version control
- Document successful workflows for replication

This standards document serves as the foundation for all visual generation within the fantasy universe project, ensuring consistent, high-quality imagery that supports and enhances the narrative experience.