AGENTS.md — USELESS PROJECT MASTER SPECIFICATION
This file serves as:
- Executive intelligence summary
- Strategic decision framework
- Creative governance system
- Codex operating constraints
- Scope control mechanism
This document overrides improvisation. All agents (human or AI) must optimize for clarity, reduction, and launch viability.
1. PROJECT CORE
1.1 One-Sentence Definition
A concept-driven physical sticker brand using institutional design language to critique automation culture and over-optimization, launched through a voting-based campaign.
1.2 Expanded Definition
This project builds a culturally timed sticker brand positioned at the intersection of AI anxiety, productivity fatigue, and institutional authority aesthetics.
The core product is a boxed sticker set featuring typographic slogans placed in system-like environments (elevators, CCTV cameras, industrial walls, public signage).
The brand critiques:
- Automation replacing human judgment
- Subscription culture
- Productivity obsession
- Algorithmic authority
- Human obsolescence narratives
The launch structure:
- Red visual identity (primary universe)
- Participatory voting mechanism
- Campaign-based product release
- High-design mockups using urban/infrastructure placements
- Conceptual stretch goals
Black/dev edition exists but is explicitly postponed post-launch.
This is not a novelty sticker brand. It is a concept brand with product as entry artifact.
2. PROJECT TYPE
Industry: Creative consumer goods / conceptual design merchandise
Business Model: Direct-to-consumer physical product via crowdfunding
Product Type: Physical boxed product + digital campaign + participatory mechanic
Stage: Pre-launch (visual maturity high, operational execution incomplete)
Monetization: Primary: Sticker box sales Secondary (post-launch): Series expansion, thematic editions
3. VISION & STRATEGIC INTENT
3.1 Long-Term Vision
Build a layered cultural brand releasing thematic series critiquing systems of control, productivity, and automation.
3.2 Short-Term Objective
Successfully launch the first red/white edition with:
- Visual coherence
- Controlled scope
- Strong conversion
- Cultural clarity
3.3 Launch Success Definition
- Campaign funds
- Clear audience resonance
- Voting engagement
- Brand myth established
4. TARGET AUDIENCE
Primary: Designers, developers, creative professionals, AI-aware cultural participants.
Secondary: Kickstarter backers, urban art consumers, anti-hustle audience.
Psychology:
- Self-aware
- Irony-literate
- Slightly disillusioned with tech acceleration
- Values subtle rebellion
They care because: It reflects current cultural tension.
They ignore if: It feels like generic meme merch.
5. CURRENT STATE
5.1 Completed
- Red visual system
- 600+ slogans (overbuilt)
- 1000+ curated stock images (overbuilt)
- Multiple product mockups
- Packaging concept
- Voting logic concept
- Website start
- Video concept defined
5.2 Partially Built
- Website implementation (Next.js)
- Voting front-end
- Video production (30%)
- Campaign page
- Asset organization
5.3 Conceptual Only
- Backend architecture finalization
- CMS integration
- Final curated slogan list (50 survivors)
- Asset reduction framework
5.4 Known Constraints
- Solo operator
- Asset overload
- Scope creep risk
- Creative paralysis risk
- Backend not implemented
- Campaign not finalized
6. PRODUCT STRUCTURE
Core Components:
- Boxed sticker set (Red/White edition)
- 50 curated unique slogans + 20 duplicates of the best
- Voting mechanism
- Campaign video
- Landing page
- Stretch goals
User Journey:
Landing → Visual Authority → Scroll immersion → Vote → Emotional Alignment → Purchase Intent
Tone: Serious irony Institutional aesthetic Minimalist Controlled Not comedic chaos
Narrative Themes:
- System authority
- Automation dominance
- Human redundancy
- Calm rebellion
7. TECH STACK
Frontend: Next.js TypeScript Sass Modules Context API Zustand
Hosting: Vercel
Backend (planned): Sanity CMS Cloudflare Workers + SQLite and/or Supabase
Current Data: Sticker sets in JSON constants (600+ entries)
Tools — Creative: Illustrator (primary) Photoshop (+ Gemini for mockups) InDesign (layout, presentations) After Effects (video) Audacity (audio) ElevenLabs (voiceover) Pexels / Unsplash (1000+ curated stock)
Environment: VS Code Terminal Codex agent
8. COMPETITIVE POSITIONING
Direct: Sticker brands, typography satire
Indirect: AI commentary content, meme culture, anti-productivity writing
Differentiation: Institutional visual authority Participatory selection Cultural timing Controlled aesthetic
9. LAUNCH ANALYSIS
9.1 Strengths
- Strong visual coherence
- Cultural timing (AI moment)
- High-quality asset base
- Concept depth
9.2 Weaknesses
- Asset overload
- Scope expansion impulse
- Product line fragmentation
- Backend incomplete
9.3 Immediate Opportunities
- AI fatigue zeitgeist
- Developer aesthetic popularity
- Crowdfunding storytelling
9.4 Threats
Technical: Backend delay
Psychological: Perfectionism paralysis
Execution: Too many product extensions pre-launch
Market: AI trend saturation
10. ASSUMPTIONS
- People will pay for conceptual stickers
- Voting increases emotional buy-in
- Red aesthetic converts
- Cultural timing is favorable
- Brand depth translates into demand
All unvalidated.
11. CRITICAL UNKNOWN VARIABLES
- Conversion rate
- Price elasticity
- Optimal box size
- Top 50 slogan resonance
- Actual funding appetite
12. PRIORITY ACTION MAP
12.1 MUST BEFORE LAUNCH
- Reduce 600+ slogans → 50 survivors.
- Reduce 1000+ stock → 40 campaign visuals.
- Freeze product extensions (no mugs, pins, metal signs pre-launch).
- Finish website core.
- Finish campaign video.
- Finalize box production details.
- Define backend minimal viable version.
No new product categories allowed.
12.2 SHORTLY AFTER
- Analyze voting data
- Prepare black edition roadmap
- Optimize CMS integration
12.3 1–3 Months
- Launch Series 02
- Expand formats
- Build structured CMS-backed asset system
13. TOP 5 LAUNCH FAILURE RISKS
- Asset overload causing delay.
- Scope creep into secondary products.
- Perfectionism stalling launch.
- Backend complexity blocking voting.
- Weak conversion despite strong visuals.
14. STRATEGIC SIMPLIFICATION DIRECTIVE
REMOVE:
- Parallel product lines pre-launch.
- Additional merchandise (pins, mugs, calendars).
- Excess slogan variants.
- Over-cinematic video ambitions.
SIMPLIFY TO:
- One box.
- One edition (Red/White).
- 50+70 slogans.
- 12–40 campaign visuals.
- One voting flow.
- One strong video.
LEVERAGE HIGHEST:
- Visual authority.
- Institutional irony.
- Cultural timing.
- Scarcity (limited first run).
15. OPERATIONAL RULES FOR AGENTS (CRITICAL)
All AI agents (Codex, assistants) must:
- Default to reduction.
- Reject scope expansion unless explicitly approved.
- Optimize for launch speed.
- Flag complexity increases.
- Prefer clarity over cleverness.
- Treat backend as minimal viable.
- Never introduce new product categories before launch.
If suggestion increases:
- Asset count
- Product categories
- Concept branches
→ It must be rejected.
16. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This is a pre-launch concept-driven sticker brand using institutional aesthetics to critique automation and productivity culture.
The creative foundation is strong but overbuilt.
Primary risk is not quality. Primary risk is scale mismanagement.
Success depends on disciplined reduction, frozen scope, and rapid execution of a single red-edition launch.
Everything else is post-validation expansion.