Skill Wiki
No Perfect Symmetry
@community/provocation-no-perfect-symmetry
$ prime install @community/provocation-no-perfect-symmetryProjection
Always in _index.xml · the agent never has to ask for this.
NoPerfectSymmetry [provocation] v1.0.0
Loaded when retrieval picks the atom as adjacent / supporting.
NoPerfectSymmetry [provocation] v1.0.0
Label
Why Is Everything Perfectly Centered?
Trigger
agent about to center-align all section content and use equal-column grids throughout
Question
Why is every section perfectly centered and every grid perfectly symmetrical? Symmetry is the safest layout choice — models always default to it because asymmetric layouts require a reason. What specific visual goal does perfect symmetry serve here? Have you considered that intentional asymmetry (left-weighted text, unequal columns, offset imagery) creates hierarchy and visual interest that centered symmetry literally cannot?
Intent
Challenge the AI-slop default of universal centered symmetry. Perfect symmetry is not neutral — it communicates nothing except an absence of layout decisions. Asymmetric layouts require intent and produce distinctiveness. The question is not 'should we use symmetry' but 'have we consciously decided on symmetry, and why?'
Resolution Paths
- Context: Legal, medical, institutional content where trust and neutrality are primary
- Answer: Centered symmetry is appropriate — neutrality IS the message.
- Context: Editorial, marketing, brand landing page
- Answer: Asymmetric grid with left-weighted headline text and offset imagery creates hierarchy and visual interest.
- Context: Data dashboard
- Answer: Left-aligned information architecture with column widths proportional to content density.
Loaded when retrieval picks the atom as a focal / direct hit.
NoPerfectSymmetry [provocation] v1.0.0
Label
Why Is Everything Perfectly Centered?
Trigger
agent about to center-align all section content and use equal-column grids throughout
Question
Why is every section perfectly centered and every grid perfectly symmetrical? Symmetry is the safest layout choice — models always default to it because asymmetric layouts require a reason. What specific visual goal does perfect symmetry serve here? Have you considered that intentional asymmetry (left-weighted text, unequal columns, offset imagery) creates hierarchy and visual interest that centered symmetry literally cannot?
Intent
Challenge the AI-slop default of universal centered symmetry. Perfect symmetry is not neutral — it communicates nothing except an absence of layout decisions. Asymmetric layouts require intent and produce distinctiveness. The question is not 'should we use symmetry' but 'have we consciously decided on symmetry, and why?'
Resolution Paths
- Context: Legal, medical, institutional content where trust and neutrality are primary
- Answer: Centered symmetry is appropriate — neutrality IS the message.
- Context: Editorial, marketing, brand landing page
- Answer: Asymmetric grid with left-weighted headline text and offset imagery creates hierarchy and visual interest.
- Context: Data dashboard
- Answer: Left-aligned information architecture with column widths proportional to content density.
Source
prime-system/examples/frontend-design/primes/compiled/@community/provocation-no-perfect-symmetry/atom.yaml