Mixed pools
A few soft circles of colour overlap. The overlap is a third colour, and that mix is welcome.
Colour fields with the dust of print still on them. The blends are a little muddy on purpose.
Dirty gradients are mesh colour with grain. They should look printed or painted, not like a smooth software preset.
A few soft circles of colour overlap. The overlap is a third colour, and that mix is welcome.
Noise keeps the blend from turning into plastic. It should be visible, not a secret filter.
Olive into rose, clay into purple. Clean neon is a different style.
Titles need a calmer area of the field, or a cream panel, so they stay readable.
Smooth mesh gradients came first. Grain arrived when designers got tired of how clean they looked.
Illustrators blend several hues in one soft field.
Design posts start covering gradients with noise so they look less like glass.
Editors add a grain layer as the last step on posters and covers.
Album covers and posters use the dirty field as the whole background.
Product sites drop flat grey and use a single grainy field instead.
The pools drift very slowly, as if the paper shifted. The grain stays still.
These three mockups are built only from the kit on this page. Swap the tokens and they change style with it.
Music and poster work live on one dirty field.
Tools for posters can show the blend as the product.
A magazine can use the field behind a feature, then return to cream for the text.
Palette, type, layout, texture and the tokens every component reads. Tap a swatch to copy its hex value.
Cream paper with clay, olive, dust rose and a bruised purple. Overlaps should look mixed, not neon.
:root {
--cream: #F4E6D4;
--clay: #C45B3E;
--olive: #5E6840;
--dust-rose: #E3A394;
--bruise: #6B4E6A;
--ink: #241812;
}A heavy grotesque for short titles. The same family, at a normal weight, for reading.
Body text carries the explanation. Keep lines under about 75 characters so the eye can find the next line.
:root {
--font-d: "Archivo Black",Impact,sans-serif;
--font-b: "Archivo",system-ui,sans-serif;
--h-weight: 400;
--h-track: -.03em;
}Simple columns. The gradient is the atmosphere. The grid keeps the type in a calmer patch.
Equal cards, product tiles, feature lists.
Articles, documentation, settings pages.
Generous rounding, like a printed poster card. Shadows stay soft so they do not look like plastic.
:root {
--radius: 22px;
--radius-sm: 14px;
--bw: 1px;
--shadow: 0 16px 30px -20px rgba(36,24,18,.28);
--shadow-sm: 0 8px 16px -12px rgba(36,24,18,.22);
--gap: 24px;
--pad: 24px;
}Several soft colour pools with grain on top. The noise is what keeps the blend from looking like a glossy app background.
Change three tokens and the whole page responds, because every component reads from them. Reset brings back the style defaults.
Move a control to see the token change.Every component below is plain HTML with class names from the kit. Copy the full kit CSS once, then paste any snippet.
/* Dirty Gradients kit · Anti-Boring */
:root{
--bg:#F4E6D4;
--surface:#FBF3E8;
--surface2:#EAD8C4;
--fg:#241812;
--muted:#5C463C;
--accent:#8E3A28;
--accent-fg:#FFF6EE;
--accent2:#3E4A2C;
--accent2-fg:#F4E6D4;
--border:#CDB5A0;
--bw:1px;
--radius:22px;
--radius-sm:14px;
--shadow:0 16px 30px -20px rgba(36,24,18,.28);
--shadow-sm:0 8px 16px -12px rgba(36,24,18,.22);
--font-d:"Archivo Black",Impact,sans-serif;
--font-b:"Archivo",system-ui,sans-serif;
--font-m:ui-monospace,Menlo,monospace;
--h-weight:400;
--h-track:-.03em;
--h-case:none;
--h-style:normal;
--h-lh:.92;
--gap:24px;
--pad:24px;
--focus:rgba(142,58,40,.35);
--ok:#3E4A2C;
--warn:#8A5A00;
--danger:#8E3A28;
--info:#5C463C;
--field-bg:var(--surface);
--field-shadow:none;
--media:radial-gradient(circle at 30% 40%,#E3A394,#C45B3E 55%,#6B4E6A);
--code-bg:#241812;
--code-fg:#F4E6D4;
--btn-case:none;
--btn-track:0;
--btn-weight:600;
--badge-radius:999px;
--maxw:1160px;
--fs-sm:13.1px;
--fs-body:17px;
--fs-4:22.1px;
--fs-3:28.7px;
--fs-2:37.3px;
--fs-1:48.6px;
--fs-d:clamp(49px, 9vw, 107px);
}
*,*::before,*::after{box-sizing:border-box}
body{margin:0;background:var(--bg);color:var(--fg);font:400 var(--fs-body)/1.6 var(--font-b);-webkit-font-smoothing:antialiased}
h1,h2,h3,h4{font-family:var(--font-d);font-weight:var(--h-weight);letter-spacing:var(--h-track);text-transform:var(--h-case);font-style:var(--h-style);line-height:var(--h-lh);margin:0 0 .4em}
h1{font-size:var(--fs-1)} h2{font-size:var(--fs-2)} h3{font-size:var(--fs-3)} h4{font-size:var(--fs-4)}
p{margin:0 0 1em}
a{color:inherit}
:focus-visible{outline:3px solid var(--accent);outline-offset:3px}
code,pre,kbd{font-family:var(--font-m)}
/* buttons */
.btn{display:inline-flex;align-items:center;justify-content:center;gap:.5em;font:var(--btn-weight) 1rem/1 var(--font-b);text-transform:var(--btn-case);letter-spacing:var(--btn-track);padding:.85em 1.4em;border:var(--bw) solid var(--border);border-radius:var(--radius);background:var(--accent);color:var(--accent-fg);box-shadow:var(--shadow-sm);text-decoration:none;cursor:pointer;transition:transform .12s,box-shadow .12s,background-color .12s,color .12s}
.btn:hover{transform:translateY(-1px)}
.btn:active{transform:translateY(1px)}
.btn-2{background:var(--accent2);color:var(--accent2-fg)}
.btn-ghost{background:transparent;color:var(--fg);box-shadow:none}
.btn-sm{font-size:.85rem;padding:.6em 1em}
.btn-lg{font-size:1.15rem;padding:1em 1.7em}
.btn[disabled]{opacity:.45;cursor:not-allowed;transform:none}
/* forms */
.field{display:grid;gap:.4em;margin-bottom:1.1em}
.label{font-weight:600;font-size:.95rem}
.help{font-size:.85rem;color:var(--muted)}
.input,.select,.textarea{width:100%;font:1rem/1.4 var(--font-b);color:var(--fg);padding:.75em .9em;background:var(--field-bg);border:var(--bw) solid var(--border);border-radius:var(--radius-sm);box-shadow:var(--field-shadow);appearance:none}
.select{background-image:linear-gradient(45deg,transparent 50%,currentColor 50%),linear-gradient(135deg,currentColor 50%,transparent 50%);background-position:calc(100% - 20px) 55%,calc(100% - 14px) 55%;background-size:6px 6px;background-repeat:no-repeat;padding-right:2.4em}
.textarea{min-height:110px;resize:vertical}
.input:focus,.select:focus,.textarea:focus{outline:none;border-color:var(--accent);box-shadow:var(--field-shadow),0 0 0 3px var(--focus)}
.is-error .input{border-color:var(--danger)} .is-error .help{color:var(--danger)}
.choice{display:flex;align-items:center;gap:.6em;margin:.35em 0;cursor:pointer}
.check,.radio{appearance:none;width:1.25em;height:1.25em;margin:0;flex:none;border:var(--bw) solid var(--border);background:var(--field-bg);box-shadow:var(--field-shadow);display:grid;place-items:center;cursor:pointer}
.check{border-radius:calc(var(--radius-sm)/2)} .radio{border-radius:50%}
.check::after{content:"";width:.55em;height:.3em;border-left:2.5px solid var(--accent-fg);border-bottom:2.5px solid var(--accent-fg);transform:rotate(-45deg) translate(1px,-1px);opacity:0}
.radio::after{content:"";width:.5em;height:.5em;border-radius:50%;background:var(--accent-fg);opacity:0}
.check:checked,.radio:checked{background:var(--accent);border-color:var(--border)}
.check:checked::after,.radio:checked::after{opacity:1}
.switch{appearance:none;width:2.8em;height:1.6em;margin:0;flex:none;border-radius:999px;border:var(--bw) solid var(--border);background:var(--surface2);position:relative;cursor:pointer;transition:background .15s;box-shadow:var(--field-shadow)}
.switch::before{content:"";position:absolute;top:50%;left:.18em;width:1.1em;height:1.1em;border-radius:50%;background:var(--fg);transform:translateY(-50%);transition:left .15s}
.switch:checked{background:var(--accent)}
.switch:checked::before{left:calc(100% - 1.28em);background:var(--accent-fg)}
.range{width:100%;accent-color:var(--accent)}
/* surfaces */
.card{background:var(--surface);color:var(--fg);border:var(--bw) solid var(--border);border-radius:var(--radius);box-shadow:var(--shadow);padding:var(--pad);position:relative}
.card-media{aspect-ratio:16/9;border-radius:var(--radius-sm);background:var(--media);margin-bottom:1em}
.badge{display:inline-block;font:600 .75rem/1 var(--font-b);padding:.45em .75em;border-radius:var(--badge-radius);background:var(--accent2);color:var(--accent2-fg);border:var(--bw) solid var(--border)}
.alert{padding:1em 1.2em;border:var(--bw) solid var(--border);border-left:6px solid var(--c,var(--info));border-radius:var(--radius-sm);background:var(--surface);margin-bottom:.8em}
.alert b{color:var(--c,var(--info))}
.alert-ok{--c:var(--ok)} .alert-warn{--c:var(--warn)} .alert-danger{--c:var(--danger)}
.progress{height:.8em;border-radius:999px;background:var(--surface2);border:var(--bw) solid var(--border);overflow:hidden}
.progress i{display:block;height:100%;background:var(--accent)}
/* navigation */
.tabs{display:flex;gap:.25em;border-bottom:var(--bw) solid var(--border);flex-wrap:wrap}
.tab{font:600 .95rem var(--font-b);padding:.7em 1em;background:none;border:0;border-bottom:3px solid transparent;color:var(--muted);cursor:pointer;margin-bottom:calc(var(--bw) * -1)}
.tab[aria-selected="true"]{color:var(--fg);border-bottom-color:var(--accent)}
.crumbs{display:flex;gap:.5em;flex-wrap:wrap;font-size:.9rem;color:var(--muted);list-style:none;padding:0;margin:0}
.crumbs li+li::before{content:"/";margin-right:.5em;opacity:.6}
.pager{display:flex;gap:.4em;list-style:none;padding:0;margin:0;flex-wrap:wrap}
.pager a{display:grid;place-items:center;min-width:2.4em;height:2.4em;border:var(--bw) solid var(--border);border-radius:var(--radius-sm);text-decoration:none;background:var(--surface)}
.pager a[aria-current]{background:var(--accent);color:var(--accent-fg)}
/* table */
.table-wrap{overflow-x:auto;border:var(--bw) solid var(--border);border-radius:var(--radius-sm);background:var(--surface)}
.table{width:100%;border-collapse:collapse;font-size:.95rem;min-width:460px}
.table th,.table td{text-align:left;padding:.75em 1em;border-bottom:1px solid color-mix(in srgb,var(--border) 30%,transparent)}
.table th{font-family:var(--font-d);font-weight:var(--h-weight)}
/* grid */
.row{display:grid;grid-template-columns:repeat(12,minmax(0,1fr));gap:var(--gap)}
.col-3{grid-column:span 3}.col-4{grid-column:span 4}.col-5{grid-column:span 5}.col-6{grid-column:span 6}.col-7{grid-column:span 7}.col-8{grid-column:span 8}.col-12{grid-column:span 12}
@media (max-width:760px){.row{grid-template-columns:minmax(0,1fr);gap:min(var(--gap),16px)}.row>*{grid-column:auto!important;grid-row:auto!important}}
/* signature */
.card{overflow:hidden}
.card-media{filter:saturate(.9)}
.btn{letter-spacing:-.01em}
/* dark theme: add class="alt" to <html> */
html.alt{
--bg:#1C1410;
--surface:#2A201A;
--surface2:#241A16;
--fg:#F6E7D8;
--muted:#E0C8B6;
--accent:#E7B0A2;
--accent-fg:#2A1612;
--accent2:#D7C48A;
--accent2-fg:#241812;
--border:#6A5044;
--code-bg:#140E0C;
--code-fg:#F6E7D8;
}
html.alt .input,html.alt .select,html.alt .textarea{background:var(--surface);color:var(--fg)}
Three emphasis levels, three sizes and a disabled state. Keep one primary button per view.
<div class="demo-row">
<button class="btn">Primary</button>
<button class="btn btn-2">Secondary</button>
<button class="btn btn-ghost">Ghost</button>
<button class="btn" disabled>Disabled</button>
</div>
<div class="demo-row" style="margin-top:14px">
<button class="btn btn-sm">Small</button>
<button class="btn">Default</button>
<button class="btn btn-lg">Large</button>
</div>Text fields, choices and toggles share the same border, radius and focus ring, so a form reads as one family.
<form class="formgrid" onsubmit="return false">
<div>
<div class="field">
<label class="label" for="f-name">Full name</label>
<input class="input" id="f-name" placeholder="Ada Lovelace">
<span class="help">As it appears on your ID.</span>
</div>
<div class="field is-error">
<label class="label" for="f-mail">Email</label>
<input class="input" id="f-mail" type="email" value="ada@">
<span class="help">Enter a complete email address.</span>
</div>
<div class="field">
<label class="label" for="f-plan">Plan</label>
<select class="select" id="f-plan"><option>Starter</option><option>Studio</option><option>Team</option></select>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div class="field">
<label class="label" for="f-msg">Message</label>
<textarea class="textarea" id="f-msg" placeholder="Tell us about your project"></textarea>
</div>
<fieldset class="field" style="border:0;padding:0;margin:0 0 1.1em">
<legend class="label">Interests</legend>
<label class="choice"><input type="checkbox" class="check" checked> Typography</label>
<label class="choice"><input type="checkbox" class="check"> Motion</label>
</fieldset>
<fieldset class="field" style="border:0;padding:0;margin:0 0 1.1em">
<legend class="label">Billing</legend>
<label class="choice"><input type="radio" name="bill" class="radio" checked> Monthly</label>
<label class="choice"><input type="radio" name="bill" class="radio"> Yearly</label>
</fieldset>
<label class="choice"><input type="checkbox" class="switch" checked> Email me updates</label>
<div class="field" style="margin-top:1em">
<label class="label" for="f-range">Budget</label>
<input class="range" id="f-range" type="range" value="60">
</div>
<button class="btn">Send request</button>
</div>
</form>A container for one idea. Media sits on top, then a badge, title, short text and one action.
<div class="auto">
<article class="card">
<div class="card-media"></div>
<span class="badge">New</span>
<h4 style="margin-top:.6em">Card title</h4>
<p>Short supporting text that explains what this card is about.</p>
<a class="btn btn-sm" href="#">Read more</a>
</article>
<article class="card">
<div class="card-media" style="filter:hue-rotate(40deg)"></div>
<span class="badge">Guide</span>
<h4 style="margin-top:.6em">Second card</h4>
<p>Cards in a row share height and spacing, so the grid stays calm.</p>
<a class="btn btn-sm btn-2" href="#">Open</a>
</article>
</div>Alerts, badges and progress tell people what just happened and what to do next.
<div class="alert"><b>Info.</b> Your draft saves every 30 seconds.</div>
<div class="alert alert-ok"><b>Saved.</b> Changes are live on your site.</div>
<div class="alert alert-warn"><b>Check this.</b> Two images are missing alt text.</div>
<div class="alert alert-danger"><b>Upload failed.</b> Files must be under 10 MB. Try a smaller file.</div>
<div class="demo-row" style="margin-top:14px">
<span class="badge">Default</span>
<span class="badge" style="background:var(--accent);color:var(--accent-fg)">Accent</span>
</div>
<div style="margin-top:18px"><div class="progress" role="progressbar" aria-valuenow="64" aria-valuemin="0" aria-valuemax="100" aria-label="Upload progress"><i style="width:64%"></i></div></div>Tables scroll sideways on small screens instead of squashing columns.
| Project | Owner | Status | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Homepage | Rūta | Review | 12 Oct |
| Checkout | Tomas | Draft | 19 Oct |
| Onboarding | Ieva | Live | 2 Oct |
<div class="table-wrap">
<table class="table">
<thead><tr><th>Project</th><th>Owner</th><th>Status</th><th>Due</th></tr></thead>
<tbody>
<tr><td>Homepage</td><td>Rūta</td><td><span class="badge">Review</span></td><td>12 Oct</td></tr>
<tr><td>Checkout</td><td>Tomas</td><td><span class="badge">Draft</span></td><td>19 Oct</td></tr>
<tr><td>Onboarding</td><td>Ieva</td><td><span class="badge">Live</span></td><td>2 Oct</td></tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>A ready prompt for Lovable and Claude Design. It names the palette, type, layout, texture, what to do and what to avoid, so the output keeps this style's point of view.
Style prompt for Lovable and Claude Design. Design a responsive landing page for an independent record label in an authentic Dirty Gradients style.
Palette: Cream #F4E6D4, Clay #C45B3E, Olive #5E6840, Dust rose #E3A394, Bruise #6B4E6A, Ink #241812.
Typography: Archivo Black for short titles, Archivo for body.
Layout: Hero is a full colour field with the title in a calmer corner. Sections below sit on cream so the text can be read.
Texture: Four radial pools plus an SVG fractal-noise layer at low opacity, blend mode multiply.
Signature details: Soft radius, visible grain, muddy overlaps, no glossy highlight.
Components: Clay buttons with cream text, olive secondary buttons, cream cards.
Motion: Pools drift over about fourteen seconds. Grain does not move.
Do: Let two colours overlap into a third. Keep grain visible. Put long text on cream.
Avoid: Smooth purple-to-blue blobs, glass blur, neon, glossy highlights, grain so heavy the type breaks.
Do not fall back on generic AI defaults: no centered hero with a gradient blob, no identical rounded cards with soft grey shadows, no purple-to-blue gradients, no emoji icons, unless this style explicitly calls for them.
Accessibility: body text contrast of at least 4.5:1, visible keyboard focus on every control, labels on all form fields, and respect prefers-reduced-motion.
Deliver one self-contained HTML file with CSS variables for every color, font, radius and shadow token.Where this style usually goes wrong, and how to keep it honest.
A smooth gradient with no grain looks like a default app background.
If the hues are pure screen colours, the mix will not look printed.
Small type on a busy pool is hard to read. Move it to cream.
Heavy noise turns the page dirty in the wrong way. Keep it even and light.