Visual Essay Invocation Skill

Generate comprehensive invocation documents (specs) for scroll-driven visual essays.

Quick Start

Recommended: Via Invocation Agent

Using @agents/visual-essay-invocation-agent.md,
generate a complete invocation spec for a visual essay about [TOPIC]

Direct Skill Application (Advanced)

Using @orchestration/skills/visual-essay-invocation/SKILL.md,
generate an invocation for a visual essay about [TOPIC]

Purpose

This skill transforms rough topic requests into production-ready specifications—comprehensive blueprints that ensure consistent, high-quality visual essay development.

An invocation is NOT the final artifact. It's the architectural blueprint that guides implementation—ensuring no critical element is overlooked.

What It Produces

A complete six-layer specification:

Layer	Contents
1. Strategic Foundation	Title, executive brief, visual treatment philosophy
2. Technical Systems	Scroll-lock techniques, parallax depth, progress bar design
3. Hero Architecture	Opening sequence with percentage-based choreography
4. Chapter Schema	All chapters with metaphors, figures, scroll-lock sequences
5. Design System	Colors, typography, animation principles
6. Implementation	Responsive specs, accessibility, deliverables checklist

Skill Structure

visual-essay-invocation/
├── SKILL.md                    ← Core framework, workflow, quality standards
├── README.md                   ← You are here
├── examples/                   ← Condensed format references (incomplete templates)
│   ├── README.md               ← Example directory guide
│   └── history-of-ai.md        ← Format/depth reference
├── specs/                      ← Finished production-ready invocations
│   ├── README.md               ← Spec status index
│   └── the-ramayana.md         ← [DRAFT] Mythology
├── references/                 ← Templates and patterns
│   ├── invocation-template.md  ← Complete six-layer template
│   ├── scroll-lock-patterns.md ← Pattern library
│   ├── chapter-schema.md       ← Chapter structure examples
│   └── topic-selection.md      ← Topic evaluation criteria
└── lenses/                     ← Subject-specific guidance
    └── mythology.md            ← Sacred narratives, religious figures

Examples vs Specs

	Examples	Specs
Purpose	Format reference	Production specification
Completeness	Condensed, partial	Complete, actionable
Use	Study when learning	Implement into visual essays

When to Use

Situation	Use This Skill?
Starting a new visual essay	✅ Yes
Need comprehensive production spec	✅ Yes
Want consistency across essays	✅ Yes
Quick draft without full spec	❌ No — invoke Production Orchestrator directly
Editing existing essay	❌ No — work with the implementation

Invocation Modes

Via Visual Essay Invocation Agent (Recommended)

The Invocation Agent applies this skill and stores the output:

Using @agents/visual-essay-invocation-agent.md, generate a complete
invocation spec for a visual essay about [TOPIC].

The agent will:

Apply this skill framework
Generate six-layer specification
Store to specs/[topic-slug].md
Provide handoff summary

Via Visual Essay Orchestrator

The orchestrator invokes the Invocation Agent during Phase 1:

Using @agents/visual-essay-orchestrator.md, initiate production
for a visual essay about [TOPIC].

Direct Skill Application (Advanced)

For generating a spec without the agent wrapper:

Using @orchestration/skills/visual-essay-invocation/SKILL.md,
generate an invocation for a visual essay about [TOPIC].

Details:
- Visual treatment: [photorealistic/illustrated/mixed]
- Target audience: [experts/beginners/general]
- Estimated length: [chapters/read time]

Lenses

Lenses provide subject-specific guidance for specialized topics:

Lens	Use For
`lenses/mythology.md`	Sacred narratives, religious figures, epics, cosmology
`lenses/science.md`	(Future) Biology, physics, chemistry
`lenses/history.md`	(Future) Wars, revolutions, biographies
`lenses/technology.md`	(Future) Engineering, computing, innovation

Lenses are auto-selected based on topic type.

Spec Status Levels

Status	Meaning
`[DRAFT]`	Recently generated, awaiting review
`[REVIEWED]`	Human-validated, confirmed quality
`[IMPLEMENTED]`	Visual essay built from this spec
`[CANONICAL]`	Reference-quality, may be promoted to `/references/`

Quality Checklist

A complete invocation must have:

Every chapter has a named metaphor
Every scroll-lock sequence has percentage breakpoints
Every figure has photograph/illustration description
Design system is specific (not generic descriptors)
Progress bar concept matches subject matter
Arc moves from question to resolution/open question
Emotional stakes clear from executive brief

visual-essay-invocation