Automated Design Workflows in Typeset

Learning Objectives

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

1. Set up automated design workflows that maintain brand consistency
2. Handle exceptions and edge cases in automated design processes
3. Customize workflow settings to match different project requirements

Introduction

Typeset's automated design workflows can transform how you handle repetitive design tasks. Instead of manually creating each design from scratch, you can set up rules and templates that generate consistent, on-brand designs automatically.

This chapter shows you how to configure these workflows properly, maintain brand standards, and deal with the inevitable exceptions that pop up. You'll learn practical steps to customize the system for your specific needs while avoiding common pitfalls.

Lessons

Setting Up Your First Automated Workflow

Before you can automate anything, you need to establish the foundation. Here's how to create a workflow that actually works:

Step 1: Access Workflow Settings
Navigate to your Typeset dashboard and click on 'Workflow Settings'. This is where all the magic happens.

Step 2: Define Your Design Parameters
Set up your core design elements:

• Font families and sizes for headers, body text, and captions
• Brand colour palette with hex codes
• Logo placement rules and sizing
• Spacing and margin guidelines
• Image aspect ratios and positioning

Step 3: Create Template Rules
Build rules that tell Typeset how to handle different content types. For example, if you're creating social media posts, define how the system should handle long headlines versus short ones.

Step 4: Test Before You Commit
Use the 'Template Preview' feature to see how your rules work in practice. Run a few test designs through the system and check they meet your standards.

This is the bit most people miss – they rush through setup and end up with automated workflows that create more work than they save.

Maintaining Brand Consistency

Automation only works if it produces designs that look like they came from your team. Here's how to keep everything on brand:

Step 1: Upload Complete Brand Guidelines
Don't just add your logo and colours. Include:

• Typography hierarchy and usage rules
• Image style guidelines
• Brand voice and tone examples
• Layout preferences and restrictions

Step 2: Use Brand Consistency Tools
Typeset's 'Brand Consistency' feature compares your outputs against your uploaded guidelines. Turn this on for every workflow you create.

Step 3: Set Up Approval Checkpoints
Configure the system to flag designs that stray too far from your brand standards. This catches problems before they reach your audience.

Step 4: Regular Brand Audits
Schedule monthly reviews of your automated outputs. Look for drift in quality or consistency, and adjust your workflow settings accordingly.

Remember to update your brand guidelines in Typeset whenever your visual identity changes. Outdated guidelines create outdated designs.

Handling Exceptions and Edge Cases

Even the best automated workflow will encounter content that doesn't fit the standard template. Here's how to handle these situations:

Step 1: Identify Common Exceptions
Review your past projects and note recurring issues:

• Unusually long headlines that break layouts
• Images that don't fit standard aspect ratios
• Content in multiple languages
• Special campaign requirements

Step 2: Build Exception Rules
Where possible, create automatic responses to common exceptions. For instance, set rules for how to handle headlines over 50 characters or images below certain resolutions.

Step 3: Set Up Manual Review Triggers
Configure Typeset to flag designs that need human input. This prevents obviously broken layouts from slipping through.

Step 4: Create an Exception Workflow
Develop a standard process for handling flagged designs:

• Who reviews them?
• What approval is needed?
• How quickly must they be resolved?

Keep a log of exceptions and their solutions. This helps you improve your automated workflows over time.

Customizing Workflows for Different Projects

Different projects need different approaches. Here's how to adapt your workflows:

Step 1: Analyze Project Requirements
Before setting up a new workflow, consider:

• Target audience and platform
• Content volume and frequency
• Brand guidelines specific to this project
• Timeline and resource constraints

Step 2: Create Project-Specific Templates
Build templates that match the project's unique needs. A social media campaign needs different automation than a product catalog.

Step 3: Adjust Quality Controls
Some projects need tighter brand control, others prioritize speed. Adjust your approval processes accordingly.

Step 4: Test and Refine
Run pilot batches before full automation. This helps you catch project-specific issues early.

Practice

Take a recent design project and analyze it for automation opportunities:

1. Identify which elements were repeated across multiple designs
2. Note any designs that didn't meet your brand standards
3. List exceptions or edge cases you encountered
4. Plan how you would set up a Typeset workflow to handle this project more efficiently

Consider what workflow settings would have improved the process and reduced manual work.

FAQs

How do I ensure automated designs stay on brand?
Set up comprehensive brand guidelines in Typeset, use the Brand Consistency tool, and establish approval checkpoints. Regular audits help catch any drift in quality.

What should I do when automated designs need manual fixes?
Review the exception manually and adjust your workflow settings to handle similar cases automatically in future. Keep a record of these fixes to improve your system.

Can I use different workflow settings for different types of projects?
Yes, Typeset allows you to create multiple workflow configurations. Set up different templates for social media, print materials, web graphics, and other project types.

How often should I update my automated workflows?
Review your workflows monthly and update them whenever your brand guidelines change or you notice recurring issues in the automated outputs.

Jargon Buster

Automated Design Workflows – Pre-configured processes in Typeset that generate designs automatically based on your brand guidelines and content inputs

Brand Consistency Tool – Typeset's feature that compares your automated designs against uploaded brand guidelines to ensure they meet your standards

Exception Handling – The process of managing content or designs that don't fit your standard automated workflow and need manual intervention

Template Preview – A feature that shows you how your workflow rules will affect real designs before you apply them to live projects

Workflow Settings – The configuration area in Typeset where you define rules, templates, and parameters for your automated design processes

Wrap-up

Automated design workflows in Typeset can significantly reduce repetitive design work while maintaining brand consistency. The key is thorough setup, regular monitoring, and continuous improvement based on real-world results.

Start with simple workflows and gradually add complexity as you become more comfortable with the system. Remember that automation should enhance your creative work, not replace your design judgment.

Your next step is to identify one recurring design task and set up your first automated workflow in Typeset. Focus on getting the basics right before adding advanced features.

Ready to streamline your design process? Join our community at https://www.pixelhaze.academy/membership for more advanced Typeset techniques and expert support.