# 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.