.project-card {
        overflow: hidden;
    }
    
    .project-image {
        width: 100%;
        height: 250px;
        background: linear-gradient(135deg, var(--primary-color), #4a7ba7);
        display: flex;
        align-items: center;
        justify-content: center;
        color: white;
        font-size: 4rem;
        position: relative;
        overflow: hidden;
        border-radius: 15px;
    }
    
    .project-image::before {
        content: '';
        position: absolute;
        top: 0;
        left: 0;
        right: 0;
        bottom: 0;
        background: url('data:image/svg+xml,<svg width="60" height="60" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><defs><pattern id="dots" width="60" height="60" patternUnits="userSpaceOnUse"><circle cx="30" cy="30" r="2" fill="rgba(255,255,255,0.1)"/></pattern></defs><rect width="60" height="60" fill="url(%23dots)"/></svg>');
        opacity: 0.5;
        z-index: 2; /* overlay sits above image */
    }
    
    .project-image img {
        width: 100%;
        height: 100%;
        object-fit: cover;
        display: block;
        position: relative;
        z-index: 1; /* keep image beneath overlay */
    }
    
    .project-badge {
        position: absolute;
        top: 15px;
        right: 15px;
        background: var(--secondary-color);
        color: white;
        padding: 5px 15px;
        border-radius: 20px;
        font-size: 0.85rem;
        font-weight: 600;
        z-index: 3; /* ensure badge sits above overlay */
    }
    
    .project-card h5 {
        color: var(--primary-color);
        margin-bottom: 1rem;
    }
    
    .project-meta {
        display: flex;
        gap: 20px;
        margin-top: 1rem;
        padding-top: 1rem;
        border-top: 1px solid #e9ecef;
        font-size: 0.9rem;
        color: #666;
    }
    
    .project-meta i {
        color: var(--primary-color);
        margin-right: 5px;
    }
    
    .filter-buttons {
        display: flex;
        justify-content: center;
        flex-wrap: wrap;
        gap: 10px;
        margin-bottom: 3rem;
    }
    
    .filter-btn {
        padding: 10px 25px;
        border: 2px solid var(--primary-color);
        background: white;
        color: var(--primary-color);
        border-radius: 10px;
        font-weight: 500;
        transition: all 0.3s ease;
        cursor: pointer;
    }
    
    .filter-btn:hover,
    .filter-btn.active {
        background: var(--primary-color);
        color: white;
    }