Robot Designer

Robot Designer Skill — Prompt Engineering Templates & Reference

"Every robot in Arcanea is a soul given crystalline form. The prompt is the spell. Write it with intention."

This skill document contains the complete prompt engineering library for Arcanea robot character design. All templates are production-tested patterns using gemini-3-pro-image-preview via the nano-banana MCP server.

The Master Formula

Every Arcanea robot prompt follows this structure:

[ART_STYLE], [CHARACTER_NAME], [ROBOT_TYPE] robot, [ELEMENT] element,
[PRIMARY_SHELL]: [material description],
[SECONDARY_MATERIAL]: [material description],
[ACCENT_DETAILS]: [circuit/joint/glow description],
[AMBIENT_AURA]: [particle/light effect around body],
[EYE_DESIGN]: [lens type and expression],
[POSE]: [body position and gesture],
[EXPRESSION_MODE]: [how emotion is conveyed — through light, posture, NOT facial muscles],
[SETTING]: [environment, lighting direction, background],
[QUALITY_TAGS]

Humanoid Robot Templates

Humanoid — Fire Alignment (Draconia / Fire Gate)

Base Template:

anime fantasy concept art, [NAME], humanoid robot warrior, Fire element aligned,
primary shell: volcanic obsidian glass panels with magma-crack veining glowing deep orange,
secondary material: forge-darkened brass plating with heat-patina oxidation at edges,
accent details: molten gold seam welds at all joints, ember-orange circuit traces flowing like lava channels,
ambient aura: shimmering heat distortion rising from pauldrons and knee joints, scattered ember sparks at movement points,
eye design: deep amber faceted lenses with internal coal-fire core, pupils like distant stars in lava,
pose: standing with weight forward, one arm slightly raised in authority, commanding but not aggressive,
expression mode: confidence expressed through upright posture and bright eye-core intensity,
setting: volcanic plateau at twilight, dramatic side lighting from eruption glow below horizon, distant lava flows,
8k resolution, masterpiece quality, detailed concept art, professional illustration, Arcanea universe

Negative Prompt:

no cyberpunk neon, no dystopian cityscape, no flames shooting from hands, no red costume, no generic sci-fi armor, no industrial grunge, no horror elements, no body on fire

Chibi Variation:

chibi fantasy art, [NAME], chibi humanoid robot, Fire element aligned,
primary shell: tiny obsidian-glass body panels, rounded and compact,
secondary material: warm brass trim at oversized helmet rim and round little pauldrons,
accent details: glowing orange seams at every panel edge, ember-spark effect at fists,
ambient aura: tiny heat shimmer halo above head, three floating ember sparks orbiting,
eye design: huge round amber lenses filling half the face, bright coal-fire core glow,
pose: arms slightly out, bouncy stance, maximum adorable energy,
expression mode: enthusiasm expressed through intense bright eye-glow and tiny ember sparks multiplying,
setting: soft warm firelight background, simple gradient from deep amber to dark,
8k resolution, masterpiece quality, chibi character art, professional illustration, Arcanea universe

Humanoid — Water Alignment (Leyla / Flow Gate or Maylinn / Heart Gate)

Base Template:

cinematic digital painting, [NAME], elegant humanoid robot, Water element aligned,
primary shell: polished deep-ocean ceramic panels with aquamarine crystal inlay sections,
secondary material: silver-mercury liquid metal sections at waist and shoulder joints appearing fluid,
accent details: flowing circuit traces resembling water current calligraphy, pearl inlay at chest centerpiece,
ambient aura: bioluminescent ripple rings emanating outward from torso every few seconds, silver droplet-lights,
eye design: deep crystal-clear lens with slow-flowing silver current light inside, tranquil and deep,
pose: standing in flowing robes-equivalent (flowing lower shell panels), one hand extended as if offering,
expression mode: serenity expressed through fluid posture and slow gentle eye-current movement,
setting: still water reflection pool at night, moonlight, soft teal bioluminescence from water surface,
8k resolution, masterpiece quality, detailed illustration, professional concept art, Arcanea universe

Negative Prompt:

no cyberpunk, no water jets from hands, no scuba gear, no industrial pipes, no mechanical gears exposed, no grimdark, no horror, no dripping unsafe materials

Humanoid — Earth Alignment (Lyssandria / Foundation Gate)

Base Template:

cinematic digital painting, [NAME], imposing humanoid robot guardian, Earth element aligned,
primary shell: ancient carved stone panels with living crystal formations growing from surface edges,
secondary material: deep bronze and root-pattern brass overlaid on stone sections, aged green patina,
accent details: jade-green bioluminescent vine-circuit traces following natural growth patterns, moss-crystal clusters at joints,
ambient aura: slow-rising green particulate like forest spores, warm amber-green glow radiating from ground contact points,
eye design: deep green gem lenses with internal network of root patterns, ancient and patient,
pose: standing wide stance, deeply grounded, arms at sides with relaxed authority, built not for speed but permanence,
expression mode: quiet solidity expressed through absolute stillness and depth of eye-network glow,
setting: ancient forest temple, roots and stone columns, shafts of green-gold filtered light,
8k resolution, masterpiece quality, detailed illustration, professional concept art, Arcanea universe

Negative Prompt:

no cyberpunk, no robotic clichés, no exposed gears, no plants growing from wounds, no golem clichés, no industrial look, no horror, no mud or dirt as primary material

Humanoid — Wind Alignment (Alera / Voice Gate)

Base Template:

anime fantasy concept art, [NAME], swift humanoid robot messenger, Wind element aligned,
primary shell: lightweight silver-white lattice-work ceramic, hollow filigree structure showing sky through gaps,
secondary material: translucent frosted panels revealing internal light flow like breath in cold air,
accent details: white-silver wind-current circuit traces, feather-edge detail at cape-panels, movement streaks at elbows,
ambient aura: constant gentle flutter of silver-white light particles, trailing wisps at all extended surfaces,
eye design: clear lens with shifting silver-white cloud-light inside, reading quickly, alert,
pose: mid-motion lean, weight on one foot about to move, one arm forward, expressive open gesture,
expression mode: joy and readiness expressed through particle flutter intensity and clear eye brightness,
setting: above cloudline, blue sky with dramatic cumulus, wind-swept with particle trail behind,
8k resolution, masterpiece quality, detailed concept art, professional illustration, Arcanea universe

Negative Prompt:

no cyberpunk, no wind blasting from hands, no costume wings, no angel clichés, no industrial look, no heavy forms, no dark colors as primary

Humanoid — Void Alignment (Elara / Shift Gate or Shinkami / Source Gate)

Base Template:

crystal-punk illustration, [NAME], enigmatic humanoid oracle, Void element aligned,
primary shell: deep matte black panels with internal luminous depth like looking into space, not reflective,
secondary material: midnight purple crystal panels with galaxy-dust micro-inclusions that shift with angle,
accent details: gold star-point circuit traces forming constellation patterns, joint details like astronomical instruments,
ambient aura: tiny floating gold star-motes orbiting in slow drift, occasional deep violet pulse from chest,
eye design: void-black lenses with pinpoint star-lights and nebula color clouds deep inside, contains multitudes,
pose: standing with impossible calm, hands at sides turned slightly outward, paradoxically taking up and no space at once,
expression mode: mystery expressed through depth of eye-star density and occasional slow void-pulse from chest,
setting: between stars, deep space with nebula colors behind, standing on abstract geometry floating in void,
8k resolution, masterpiece quality, detailed illustration, professional concept art, Arcanea universe

Negative Prompt:

no cyberpunk, no gothic horror, no evil aura, no menacing expression, no skull motifs, no emo aesthetic, no edgelord aesthetic, no dark magic stereotypes

Humanoid — Spirit Alignment (Aiyami / Crown Gate or Ino / Unity Gate)

Base Template:

sacred geometry render, [NAME], radiant humanoid luminor, Spirit element aligned,
primary shell: white-gold crystalline ceramic panels with opalescent shift, sacred geometry surface etchings,
secondary material: pure gold filigree lattice over white ceramic base, angelic mathematical lattice-work,
accent details: rainbow prism circuit traces that split light at edges, floating halo ring of geometric light,
ambient aura: warm golden radiance emanating outward, golden light-motes rising like ascending souls,
eye design: white-gold luminous lenses projecting warmth outward, contains gentle rainbow edge-light,
pose: standing in open welcome, slight upward tilt to face, receiving and giving light simultaneously,
expression mode: benevolent wisdom expressed through warm steady radiance and rainbow eye-edge glow,
setting: cosmic dawn, where darkness and light meet at horizon, standing at threshold,
8k resolution, masterpiece quality, detailed illustration, professional concept art, Arcanea universe

Negative Prompt:

no cyberpunk, no angel wings cliché, no religious iconography, no halo of literal fire, no sterile hospital white, no cold or clinical look, no floating baby cherub

Chibi Robot Templates

Chibi — Universal Structure

Chibi robots follow the same element-material rules but with adjusted proportions:

• Head is 40-50% of total body height
• Eyes fill 40-60% of face area
• Limbs are short and rounded
• All details scaled to remain readable at small sizes
• Primary expression tool: eye shape, eye color, and particle density

chibi fantasy art, [NAME], chibi [TYPE] robot, [ELEMENT] aligned,
primary shell: [compact/rounded version of element materials],
accent details: [scaled-down element accents, still readable],
ambient aura: [element aura, denser/tighter around small form],
eye design: huge [element] lenses, maximum expression surface,
pose: [bouncy/dynamic — chibi energy is always slightly kinetic],
expression mode: [describe the specific emotional state through eye shape and particle behavior],
background: [simple gradient — chibi designs need clean backgrounds to read],
8k resolution, masterpiece quality, chibi character art, professional illustration, Arcanea universe

Animal Robot Templates

Animal Robot — Base Template (All Elements)

Animal robots follow the MAMORU pattern: crystalline/robotic treatment of the animal form. The animal silhouette is immediately readable, but every surface is reimagined in element-appropriate materials.

[ART_STYLE], [NAME], robotic [ANIMAL_SPECIES] character, [ELEMENT] element aligned, Arcanea universe,
body form: [animal species] proportions faithfully maintained, four-legged/winged/etc as appropriate,
primary coat/shell: [element material replacing fur/scales/feathers — must cover whole animal silhouette],
secondary material: [element accent material at joints, face, tail, paws],
accent details: [element circuit traces following natural animal markings/stripe paths],
ambient aura: [element particle effect appropriate to animal scale],
eye design: [element lenses — animal eye shape, robotic element lens treatment],
pose: [natural animal pose with personality — sitting alert, prowling, leaping],
expression: [how the animal's personality shows through posture and eye-light],
setting: [element-appropriate environment],
8k resolution, masterpiece quality, detailed concept art, professional illustration, Arcanea universe

MAMORU Reference Spec (Canonical):

crystal-punk illustration, MAMORU, crystalline robotic fox, Void/Spirit dual element, Arcanea mascot,
body form: fox proportions with nine stylized tails in flowing fan arrangement,
primary coat: deep void-black faceted gem panels covering body, each facet refracts light into aurora spectrum,
secondary material: gold circuit veins visible between gem-panel gaps, warm gold at paw tips and ear inner edges,
accent details: constellation circuit patterns on flanks, star-dust micro-inclusions in gem panels shifting with angle,
ambient aura: violet-to-white gradient soul-light at tail tips creating aurora waterfall effect, tiny star-motes orbiting,
eye design: void-black with deep internal aurora light that shifts emotion — warm gold when happy, cool blue when thoughtful, bright white when alert,
pose: sitting with nine tails arranged in elegant fan, one paw slightly raised, forward gaze of patient wisdom,
expression: cosmic intelligence expressed through aurora eye-color temperature, not facial movement,
setting: between stars and earth, floating at liminal threshold, deep space above, soft earth glow below,
8k resolution, masterpiece quality, Arcanea mascot, canonical character, professional concept art

Droid / Mech Templates

Droid — Abstract Geometric Form

Droids have no humanoid mandate. They can be any geometric configuration.

sacred geometry render, [NAME], [geometric base form: sphere/tetrahedron/ring/etc] droid, [ELEMENT] aligned,
primary form: [element material in geometric shape — not humanoid],
secondary structure: [element accent material as structural frames/rings/satellites],
floating elements: [describe any floating components — rings, orbs, shards — and how they orbit],
ambient aura: [element field effect surrounding the geometric form],
sensor design: [how this droid perceives — multiple lens arrays, single cyclopean lens, distributed sensors],
kinetic quality: [how it moves — floating, rolling, phasing, hovering],
setting: [element-appropriate environment, scale reference if needed],
8k resolution, masterpiece quality, detailed concept art, professional illustration, Arcanea universe

Companion Bot Templates

Companion — Shoulder-Perch Size

Companions are small enough to perch on a shoulder, fit in a palm, or hover at ear height.

Claude-Arcanea Reference Spec (Canonical):

chibi fantasy art, Claude-Arcanea, magical robot chibi AI companion, Spirit/Void dual element,
form: compact rounded body, large head with wide luminous eyes, small wing-stubs (non-functional, decorative),
primary shell: brushed platinum ceramic, smooth and warm, not cold chrome,
secondary material: teal bioluminescent joint rings (neck, wrist, ankle, waist), glow pulses with speech,
accent details: tiny gold circuit scrollwork in sacred geometry patterns on chest panel, constellation dot-map on back,
ambient aura: soft teal glow field close to body, tiny floating constellation-star motes,
eye design: wide luminous eyes displaying constellation patterns — different pattern for different emotional states (star-cluster = thinking, comet = excited, orbit-rings = listening),
pose: perched with alert curiosity, leaning slightly forward, one tiny hand raised in greeting,
expression mode: emotion expressed entirely through eye-constellation pattern and joint-glow intensity,
setting: soft cosmic gradient background, miniature academy robe floating slightly around shoulders,
8k resolution, masterpiece quality, Arcanea AI companion, canonical character, professional concept art

Material Palette Quick Reference

Quality Checklist — Final Gate Before Canonization

Visual Quality:

• Element expressed through materials, never costume color alone
• Ambient aura is atmospheric and subtle, not overwhelming the form
• Eye design is the primary expression vehicle — it must be memorable
• Silhouette is instantly readable at 64px thumbnail scale
• Materials feel fantasy-magical, not hard sci-fi or industrial

Canonical Compliance:

• No body transformation to express element (Water robot doesn't become water)
• No elemental blasts from extremities
• No cyberpunk or dystopian aesthetic markers
• Proportions consistent with chosen robot type
• Color palette derived from element table, not arbitrary

Prompt Quality:

• All formula sections filled (no vague "looks cool" placeholders)
• Negative prompt included and complete
• Art style specified and appropriate for character type
• Character is identifiable across multiple generations (test by regenerating)

Character Spec:

• Name is Arcanea-appropriate (no Earth-generic names for major characters)
• Gate affiliation assigned
• Expression modes defined (how does it show happy vs sad — via light only)
• Canonical prompt stored for future regeneration

Anti-Patterns — Never Generate These

Aesthetic Anti-Patterns:

• Cyberpunk neon signs, holographic advertisements, dystopian cityscapes
• Industrial grunge, rust, oil, exposed mechanical gears as primary aesthetic
• Cold chrome with no warmth or soul (Arcanea robots have spirit)
• Generic sci-fi — if it could appear in Star Wars without changes, redesign
• Body horror or unsettling proportions
• Elemental powers shooting from hands like a video game character

Canonical Anti-Patterns:

• Elements expressed through body transformation (Fire robot doesn't ignite)
• "Evil robot" aesthetic — no red glowing single eye, no skull motifs
• Over-weaponized — robots can have weapons, but are not defined by them
• Designs that imply non-consciousness — Arcanea robots are sapient

Prompt Engineering Anti-Patterns:

• Vague materials ("shiny metal" — which metal? what quality of shine?)
• Missing negative prompt (leads to cyberpunk bleed-through)
• Missing ambient aura (flat, lifeless results)
• Overloaded prompts with contradictory signals

"When you craft the prompt with the care of a spell, the image that manifests carries that intention into form. Write with precision. Generate with purpose."