Table of Contents
Communication Phrases
A compact index of the phrases we use
to guide AI when shaping CSS.
Communication phrases are the operational vocabulary of the Primer.
Each phrase is a small instruction
— a way of describing intention without micromanaging code.
This page gathers the most useful phrases
from across the Visual Vocabulary
so you can scan them at a glance and follow them back
to their conceptual centers.
How to use this page
This is not a chapter — it is a map:
- a quick way to scan the operational vocabulary
- a cross‑reference to the conceptual homes of each phrase
- a minimal index that avoids redundancy
It keeps the Primer clean, intentional, and architecturally coherent.
Tone
(the emotional posture of the interface)
“Shift the tone warmer.”
“Make the tone more clinical.”
“Keep the tone calm and quiet.”
→ Tone
Contrast
(the strength of difference between elements)
“Increase contrast for clarity.”
“Reduce contrast to soften the mood.”
“Use lower contrast for a gentler tone.”
→ Contrast
Softness
(the gentleness of edges, spacing, and shapes)
“Soften the edges.”
“Increase softness in spacing.”
“Use a gentler silhouette.”
→ Softness
Weight
(the visual mass of surfaces, strokes, shadows, and density)
“Increase surface weight for emphasis.”
“Use a lighter stroke.”
“Reduce shadow weight to calm the layout.”
→ Weight
Expression
(the personality of the interface)
“Shift the expression more playful.”
“Make the expression more minimal.”
“Lean into a technical expression.”
“Use a more editorial voice.”
Loudness
(the intensity of color, contrast, or scale)
“Make this element louder.”
“Reduce loudness to avoid distraction.”
“Use loudness sparingly for emphasis.”
Restraint
(the discipline of using only what is necessary)
“Use more restraint in this layout.”
“Remove decorative elements.”
“Keep the structure clean and intentional.”
Tony de Araujo —New York | Lisbon