# #visual-methodology Channel Summary

## Overview
This channel documents Curious Endeavor's visual research methodology — a systematic framework for building and managing a queryable visual reference library. The core challenge: converting vague design directions (like "line-based hand quality illustration") into actual visible references that Jessica can surface and use. The solution is an automated tagging and retrieval system built around vision AI analysis.

## Key Decisions & Outcomes

- **Screenshot-first approach:** Full-page captures + vision analysis over generic scraping
- **Conceptual board structure:** Organize refs by *conceptual direction* (not categories like Type/Color), with each direction supporting character + type + color refs
- **Auto-tagging pipeline:** Built and tested end-to-end using Gemini Vision to extract structured tags into Notion — eliminates manual tagging of 296+ references
- **Expanded taxonomy:** Initial schema (element_type, style, mood, color_family, subject) extended with **content descriptors** (hands, tools, food, etc.), **context** (workshop, studio, outdoor), **action** (mid-work, finished-product), and **craft vibe** (artisanal, professional, heritage) to capture *what's in the image*, not just aesthetics
- **Hybrid tagging model:** Structured category tags + flexible free-form descriptors for natural evolution
- **QA tested:** Pipeline validated on three references (fishing rod product photo, Collins UI/UX, Gander packaging) with quality output

## Active/Open Items

- **Batch retro-tagging:** Need to run auto-tag pipeline on all 296 existing refs in Notion library
- **Query interface:** Build `query_refs.py` tool so Jessica can surface refs by tag (e.g., "show me line-art illustrations with playful mood")
- **Jessica integration:** Wire up tools so she can call them directly when responding to visual direction requests
- **Taxonomy evolution:** System needs to remain lightweight and daily-evolvable; new tags should retroactively apply to existing material

## Key Links & References

- **Taste Board:** https://curiousendeavor.com/taste/
- **CE Styleguide:** https://curiousendeavor.com/styleguide.html
- **CE Taste DNA doc:** https://curiousendeavor.com/visual-research/ce-taste-dna.md
- **Notion Inspiration Library:** `2ff330c2-8646-81f0-bbd9-ec474393d7a5`
- **Scripts location:** `/scripts/visual-research/` (taxonomy.json, tag_image.py, batch_retag.py pending)
- **ScreenshotOne API:** `/home/clawd/secrets/screenshotone/access_key`
- **Taste API Server:** Port 8801, screen session `taste-api`