App Styles Guide

Make Your Apps Look Amazing 🎨

You don't need to be a designer to create beautiful, professional apps with Genesis. This guide shows you how to style your applications so they look great and match your brand.

Why App Style Matters

First Impressions Count: Your app's appearance affects how users perceive your business and whether they trust your service.

Brand Consistency: Apps that match your brand colors and style reinforce your professional image.

User Experience: Well-styled apps are easier to use and more enjoyable for your customers.

Understanding Genesis App Styling

The Magic: Genesis automatically applies good design principles, but you can customize everything to match your vision.

No Design Skills Required: Use simple, conversational descriptions to get the style you want.

Instant Preview: See changes immediately as you refine your app's appearance.

Basic Styling Concepts

Colors & Branding

• Primary Color: Your main brand color (buttons, headers, accents)
• Background: The overall app background (usually white or light gray)
• Text Colors: Ensure good contrast for readability
• Accent Colors: Secondary colors for highlights and details

Layout & Structure

• Clean & Simple: Less clutter = better user experience
• Consistent Spacing: Even gaps between elements
• Clear Hierarchy: Important things stand out
• Mobile-Friendly: Works perfectly on phones and tablets

How to Style Your Genesis App

Method 1: Describe Your Vision

• "Make it look professional with blue headers and white backgrounds"
• "Use a modern, minimalist design with lots of white space"
• "Style it like a premium app with dark theme and gold accents"

Method 2: Reference Other Apps

• "Style it similar to Stripe's clean interface"
• "Make it look like a modern SaaS dashboard"
• "Use the same vibe as Apple's design - simple and elegant"

Method 3: Brand-Specific Requests

• "Use our company colors: navy blue (#1a365d) and bright green (#48bb78)"
• "Match our website's style and fonts"
• "Include our logo in the header"

Common Style Patterns

The Professional Look

• Clean white backgrounds
• Navy or dark blue headers
• Minimal use of color
• Clear, readable fonts
• Plenty of white space

The Modern SaaS Style

• Light gray backgrounds
• Bright accent colors
• Card-based layouts
• Subtle shadows and rounded corners
• Bold, modern typography

The Creative/Agency Vibe

• Bold color combinations
• Creative use of space
• Unique fonts and typography
• Interesting visual elements
• More personality and flair

The E-commerce Feel

• Product-focused layouts
• Trust signals (security badges, reviews)
• Clear call-to-action buttons
• Shopping-friendly navigation
• Professional product displays

Real Examples from the Community

Restaurant App: "I asked for warm, welcoming colors like a cozy restaurant. Genesis gave me cream backgrounds with warm orange accents - perfect for our brand!"

Tech Startup: "I said 'make it look like a Silicon Valley startup' and got a clean, modern interface with blue gradients and plenty of white space."

Creative Agency: "I wanted something bold and creative. Genesis created a design with bright colors, interesting layouts, and a very artistic feel."

Advanced Styling Techniques

Custom CSS Integration: For developers who want pixel-perfect control

Brand Asset Upload: Include your logos, fonts, and brand guidelines

Template Customization: Start with a style template and modify it

A/B Testing Styles: Try different designs and see what works better

Mobile-First Design Principles

Responsive by Default: Genesis apps automatically work on all devices

Touch-Friendly: Buttons and links are sized for finger taps

Fast Loading: Optimized for mobile internet speeds

Readable Text: Fonts scale appropriately for small screens

Common Styling Mistakes to Avoid

❌ Too Many Colors: Stick to 2-3 main colors plus neutrals

❌ Tiny Text: Ensure text is readable on mobile devices

❌ Cluttered Layouts: Give elements room to breathe

❌ Inconsistent Styling: Keep similar elements styled the same way

❌ Ignoring Brand: Your app should feel like part of your business

The Iteration Process

Step 1: Start with a basic style description

Step 2: Generate your app and see the initial design

Step 3: Make specific requests for changes

Step 4: Refine until you love how it looks

Step 5: Test with real users and gather feedback

Pro Tips for Better App Styling

🎯 Be Specific: "Light blue" vs "Navy blue like LinkedIn's header"

📱 Think Mobile: Always check how your app looks on phones

👥 Consider Your Audience: Professional users vs creative users have different expectations

🔄 Iterate Gradually: Make one change at a time to see what works

💡 Get Inspired: Look at apps you admire and describe what you like

Getting Started with Styling

Your First Style: Take an existing Genesis app and ask for one style change - maybe "make the headers blue" or "use a cleaner, more modern look"

Build Your Style Vocabulary: Start collecting examples of designs you like and practice describing them

Experiment Freely: Genesis makes it easy to try different styles without breaking anything

Related Wiki Pages: Vibe Coding, AI Prompts, App Builder