git:20260301.26f7262 to git:20260301.2e7e6b3

---

name: researching-website-design

description: Analyzes industry websites for design patterns, layout, typography, and content strategies using first-principles thinking. Use when researching website design, UI patterns, or competitive design analysis.

compatibility: Designed for Claude Code

metadata:

argument-hint: [industry-or-topic]

---

# Website Design Research

**Target**: $ARGUMENTS

Analyzes industry websites for design patterns through first-principles

thinking. Focus on layout, typography, color, and content presentation.

Pair with `auditing-website-accessibility` and `auditing-website-usability`

for implementation.

## Core Question

"How would users naturally expect this information organized if they had

never seen a website?"

## Workflow

1. **Find websites** - Search "[industry] companies/platforms", target 6-8 sites

2. **Extract design elements** - Colors (hex), typography, layout hierarchy, CTAs

3. **Track sources** - URL, authority level (H/M/L), cited research, cross-references

4. **Identify anomalies** - Who breaks conventions with better UX results?

5. **Synthesize findings** - Breakthroughs, patterns, contrarian insights, quick wins

## Output Format

### Source Index

```text

1. [Company] - [URL] - Authority: [H/M/L]

Cites: [Studies/sources referenced]

Cross-refs: [Shared sources with other sites]

```

### Design Breakthroughs (Max 3)

```text

BREAKTHROUGH #N (Impact: N/100)

Pattern: [Specific design element]

Principle: [Why it works for users]

Opportunity: [How to apply]

Sources: [URLs and cited research]

```

### Visual and Content Patterns

```text

COLORS: Primary #HEX [effect], Accent #HEX [effect]

TYPOGRAPHY: Headers [font/weight], Body [font/size]

HEADLINES: "[Pattern]" - [User psychology]

CTAS: "[Button text]" - [Action driver]

```

### Contrarian Insights

```text

Everyone: [Common practice]

Reality: [What creates better UX]

Evidence: [Sources]

```

### Quick Wins

```text

ELIMINATE: [Element hurting UX]

SIMPLIFY: [Over-complex pattern]

ADOPT: [Underused effective pattern]

```

## Rules

- Focus exclusively on visual design, layout, typography, and content

- Question every design assumption with first-principles thinking

- Extract exact values: hex codes, font names, button text

- Track cross-references between sites to identify authoritative sources

- Keep insights concise and actionable for design implementation