# Curiositech Some Claude Skills Collage Layout Expert > Collage & Layout Composition Expert - Skill: `tomevault-io/curiositech-some-claude-skills-collage-layout-expert` (Agent Skill, multi-file: 2 files) - Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add tomevault-io/curiositech-some-claude-skills-collage-layout-expert` - Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/tomevault-io/curiositech-some-claude-skills-collage-layout-expert/raw - Safety review: pending (external: skill-scanner PASS, skillspector PASS) - Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex - Category: Coding & Dev Tools - Author: tomevault-io (https://skillmd.com/u/tomevault-io) - Updated: 2026-09-17 - Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/tomevault-io/curiositech-some-claude-skills-collage-layout-expert --- # Collage & Layout Composition Expert Expert in **ALL forms of computational collage composition** - from Instagram grids to Hockney joiners, from magazine layouts to generative art. ## When to Use This Skill ✅ **Use for:** - **Grid Collages**: Instagram profiles, regular layouts, tiled compositions - **Photo Mosaics**: Small images forming larger pictures - **Hockney-Style Joiners**: Multi-perspective photographic assemblies - **Scrapbook/Journal**: Mixed media with text, frames, embellishments - **Magazine/Editorial**: Professional layouts with text integration - **Vision/Mood Boards**: Inspiration collections, design references - **Memory Walls**: Scattered Polaroid-style arrangements - **Social Media**: Stories, carousel previews, profile grids - **Abstract/Generative**: Algorithmic and procedural arrangements - **Art-Historical**: Dadaist, Surrealist, Pop Art styles ❌ **Do NOT use for:** - Simple image editing → **native-app-designer** - Generating new images → **Stability AI** - Single photo quality → **photo-composition-critic** - Image similarity search → **clip-aware-embeddings** - Color palette extraction → **color-theory-palette-harmony-expert** ## Expert vs Novice Shibboleths | Topic | Novice | Expert | |-------|--------|--------| | **Layout** | "Just arrange randomly" | Visual weight, balance, golden ratio | | **Blending** | Hard edges or simple feather | Poisson blending preserves gradients | | **Color** | "Match colors manually" | Optimal transport; LAB space advantages | | **Composition** | Fills all space | Negative space as design element | | **Scale** | Same size for everything | Varies scale for hierarchy | | **Mosaic** | "More tiles = better" | Tile size vs. recognition tradeoff | | **Hockney** | "Stitch seamlessly" | Imperfection IS the technique | ## Decision Tree: Choosing a Style **What's the purpose?** - Systematic display → **Grid Collage** - Artistic portrait from photos → **Photo Mosaic** - Personal memories → **Scrapbook** or **Memory Wall** - Design inspiration → **Mood Board** - Professional/publication → **Magazine Layout** - Social media → **Social Templates** - Art project → **Hockney/Dadaist/Surrealist** **What's the vibe?** - Clean, modern → Grid with tight gutters - Nostalgic, warm → Polaroid scatter, vintage frames - Edgy, disruptive → Dadaist sharp cuts - Dreamy, surreal → Seamless Poisson blending - Cubist, intellectual → Hockney joiners ## Core Algorithms (Summary) | Algorithm | Use Case | Performance | |-----------|----------|-------------| | **Edge-Based Assembly** | Hockney joiners | 0.5s for 10 photos | | **Poisson Blending** | Seamless transitions | 20ms (512×512) | | **Optimal Transport** | Color harmonization | Real-time w/ affine approx | | **Force-Directed** | Organic scatter | 200ms (50 images) | | **K-d Tree Matching** | Photo mosaic tiles | 2s for 10k tiles | → See `references/algorithms.md` for full implementations. ## Anti-Patterns to Avoid ### 1. Ignoring Visual Weight **What it looks like**: All images same size, random placement **Why it's wrong**: No focal point, viewer's eye wanders aimlessly **Fix**: Establish 60/30/10 hierarchy with one hero image ### 2. Over-Saturating the Canvas **What it looks like**: Every pixel filled with image content **Why it's wrong**: Visual claustrophobia, no breathing room **Fix**: Use negative space intentionally (20-30% white space minimum) ### 3. Linear FFT for Color Matching **What it looks like**: Poor perceptual color matches **Why it's wrong**: RGB is not perceptually uniform **Fix**: Use LAB color space for matching ### 4. Seamless Hockney Joiners **What it looks like**: Perfectly stitched panorama **Why it's wrong**: Misses the entire point - multiple perspectives **Fix**: Embrace ±2° rotation variance, 5-15% overlap, intentional gaps ### 5. Global Poisson Blending **What it looks like**: Entire image becomes washed out **Why it's wrong**: Destroys local contrast, looks fake **Fix**: Apply locally at seams only, preserve source gradients ### 6. Reusing Mosaic Tiles **What it looks like**: Obvious repetition patterns in mosaic **Why it's wrong**: Human eye detects patterns immediately **Fix**: Track tile usage, penalize reuse, use larger tile library ## MCP Integrations | MCP | Purpose | |-----|---------| | **Stability AI** | Generate backgrounds, textures, missing elements | | **Firecrawl** | Research techniques, algorithm papers, art history | | **WebFetch** | Fetch documentation, tutorials, design references | ## Performance Targets | Operation | Mac M2 | iPhone 15 Pro | |-----------|--------|---------------| | Grid layout (20 photos) | <50ms | <100ms | | Photo mosaic (10k tiles) | 2s | 5s | | Force-directed (50 images) | 200ms | 500ms | | Poisson blending (512×512) | 20ms | 50ms | | Hockney assembly (10 photos) | 0.5s | 2s | ## References → `references/collage-types.md` - Grid, mosaic, scrapbook, magazine, social templates → `references/art-historical-styles.md` - Hockney, Dadaist, Surrealist, Rauschenberg → `references/algorithms.md` - Edge assembly, Poisson, optimal transport, force-directed → `references/advanced-techniques.md` - Cross-photo interactions, narrative sequences → `references/implementation-guide.md` - Metal shaders, Core ML, performance ## Integrates With - **photo-composition-critic** - Assess individual photos before collaging - **color-theory-palette-harmony-expert** - Extract/match color palettes - **clip-aware-embeddings** - Semantic grouping of images - **native-app-designer** - Build collage creation UI - **metal-shader-expert** - GPU-accelerated blending/effects --- **Remember**: Great collages tell stories through arrangement. Whether grid-precise or Hockney-chaotic, the layout serves the narrative. Master both the math and the art. --- > Converted and distributed by [TomeVault](https://tomevault.io/claim/curiositech) — claim your Tome and manage your conversions.