Scaling Imagery with AI
When campaigns demanded more imagery than traditional production could keep up with, we explored AI as a creative multiplier—turning a single render into a starting point for an entire visual world.
Seasonal campaigns at Nanoleaf demand a high volume of fresh, evocative imagery, but our traditional production pipeline was becoming a bottleneck for speed and variety. To address this, we tested how AI could augment our existing assets as a "creative multiplier." By taking a single render as a base, we explored how to rapidly generate a diverse range of campaign visuals that feel distinct, yet unmistakably Nanoleaf.
DELIVERABLES
Art Direction
AI-Assisted Image Exploration
Prompt Development & Refinement
Image Curation & Refinement
SPECIAL MENTIONS
Revi Guardado
Farzad Tabatabaie
LIVING ROOM TO BEDROOM FLIP
THE RESULTS
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THE BASE
Defining the Prompt DNA
The success of AI imagery starts with brand vocabulary. We don't just "generate"; we translate existing brand pillars into a specific prompting syntax.
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The Nanoleaf Aesthetic: Clean lines, modern interiors, and "lived-in" minimalism.
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The Lighting Logic: We utilize dim ambient lighting to ensure the product remains the hero. By specifying RGB lighting fixtures, we allow the AI to cast accurate color spills onto the surrounding environment.
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Technical Benchmarks: To ensure the output meets campaign standards, we integrate parameters like "Generate in 4K" and specific aspect ratios to maintain high-resolution integrity for web and print.
From Hero Shots to Micro-Campaigns
The Challenge: Proprietary Accuracy
AI models often struggle with proprietary industrial design, frequently hallucinating or replacing complex lighting products with generic household objects. To solve for this, I developed a hybrid workflow:
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Image-to-Image Referencing: Feeding the AI simple, high-contrast base renders of the products to lock in the silhouette and scale.
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Contextual Anchoring: Including URLs to product pages within the workflow to provide the model with a deeper "understanding" of the product's physical properties and textures.
THE RESULT
THE BASE
Key Takeaways
AI is a partner in creativity, not a shortcut for quality.
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Not a "Quick Fix": High-quality AI generation can be a labor-intensive process. It requires significant time to craft the right prompt architecture and vet the outputs.
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The Designer’s Eye: Scaling imagery requires a human "quality scan." I meticulously check for detail accuracy to ensure the product is never misrepresented by the AI’s generative tendencies.
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The Final 10%: AI rarely delivers a finished product. Every image still undergoes fine-tuning in post-production to align with Nanoleaf’s exact color science and polish.