Navigating AI and Manual Tweaks in Typeset

Learning Objectives

By the end of this chapter, you'll be able to:

• Recognise when to use Typeset's AI features effectively
• Identify situations where manual adjustments give better results
• Combine AI automation with manual tweaking for optimal design outcomes

Introduction

Typeset combines AI automation with manual control to speed up your design process. The key is knowing when to trust the AI and when to take the reins yourself. This chapter shows you how to make that decision and get the best results from both approaches.

Lessons

Lesson 1: When to Trust the AI

Typeset's AI works brilliantly for straightforward, text-heavy designs. If you're working on basic layouts or need something done quickly, the AI can handle most of the work.

Best scenarios for AI:

• Simple flyers or posters
• Standard blog post layouts
• Basic business documents
• Quick social media graphics

How to use AI effectively:

1. Pick a basic template that matches your content type
2. Add your text content
3. Let the AI suggest typography and layout options
4. Accept the suggestions that work for your project

The AI excels at font pairings and spacing, so you get professional-looking results without browsing through hundreds of options.

Lesson 2: When to Make Manual Adjustments

Manual tweaking becomes essential when your design needs specific branding elements or a unique look. This is where you take control to match your exact vision.

Best scenarios for manual adjustments:

• Branded materials with specific colour schemes
• Complex layouts with multiple elements
• Designs requiring precise positioning
• Projects with custom graphics or unusual formatting

How to adjust manually:

1. Start with an AI-generated layout as your base
2. Manually adjust font sizes, colours, and element positions
3. Fine-tune spacing and alignment
4. Review your changes and refine as needed

Always preview your design on different screen sizes to ensure your manual adjustments work everywhere.

Lesson 3: Combining Both Approaches

The most effective approach often combines AI efficiency with manual precision. Start with AI for a solid foundation, then add your personal touches.

The combined approach:

1. Use AI to create your initial design draft
2. Review what works and what doesn't
3. Make manual adjustments to specific elements
4. Use AI suggestions for minor optimisations
5. Fine-tune manually for final touches

For example, when creating a business report, let the AI handle the basic text layout, then manually adjust charts, images, and custom graphics to fit your brand.

This approach saves time while ensuring your design meets your exact requirements.

Practice

Take an existing project and redesign it using both AI and manual approaches:

1. Start with a basic AI template
2. Note what the AI does well
3. Identify areas that need manual adjustment
4. Make incremental manual tweaks
5. Compare the final result with a purely AI-generated version

Pay attention to how each change affects the overall design and functionality.

FAQs

When should I rely completely on Typeset's AI?
For simple, text-focused designs where speed matters most. The AI handles basic layouts, font pairings, and spacing very well.

How do I know when to switch to manual adjustments?
If the AI-generated layout doesn't capture your brand requirements or specific vision, start making manual tweaks. Complex designs almost always need some manual work.

Does combining AI and manual work actually save time?
Yes, when done right. Starting with an AI base gives you a solid foundation, then manual adjustments let you customise exactly what needs changing without starting from scratch.

Can I switch between AI and manual modes during the same project?
Absolutely. Toggle between AI suggestions and manual settings to see which approach works better for each element of your design.

Jargon Buster

AI (Artificial Intelligence): Technology that automates design tasks like layout suggestions and font pairings, traditionally done manually by designers.

Template: A pre-designed layout that serves as a starting point for your project, which you can customise or use as-is.

Manual tweaking: Making specific adjustments to design elements by hand, rather than relying on automated suggestions.

Wrap-up

The secret to getting the most from Typeset lies in knowing when to trust the AI and when to take manual control. Use AI for efficiency on straightforward designs, then add manual touches for customisation and precision.

Start your next project by letting the AI create a foundation, then experiment with manual adjustments to see what works best. The more you practice switching between both approaches, the better you'll become at choosing the right tool for each situation.

Ready to put these techniques into practice? Join Pixelhaze Academy to access more advanced design training and build your skills further.

https://www.pixelhaze.academy/membership