[Becky Budgeter]

I’m curious about whether modern AI tools can help people who aren’t professional designers put together a consistent visual campaign that works across social media, email, web, and print.

Specifically, I’m looking for practical answers from people who have tried this:

• Which tools (simple apps or platforms) actually deliver consistent colors, fonts, and layouts across different formats?
• What workflow do non-technical users follow to keep things cohesive—briefs, templates, prompts, or checks?
• Pitfalls to watch for (quality, licensing, printing issues, or brand drift)?

If you’ve tested specific tools or have step-by-step tips, please share what worked, what didn’t, and any quick examples. I’d love recommendations suited to small teams or solo creators who want professional-looking results without a steep learning curve.

[aaron]

Short answer: Yes — non-designers can produce cohesive, multi-channel visual campaigns with AI if they follow a compact process and measure the results.

Good point in the thread: prioritizing multi-channel cohesion is the right lens — consistency drives recognition and conversion.

The problem: Most non-designers either overcompensate (too many variations) or underutilize assets (same image stretched across channels). That costs time, confuses audiences, and drags down performance.

Why it matters: Cohesive visuals increase ad recall, lift CTR and conversion rates, and reduce production time and agency costs. You don’t need a design degree — you need a repeatable system.

My core lesson: Treat design like a playbook: define the rules once, use AI to scale variations, and test consistently. The output quality depends more on constraints and prompts than on artistic skill.

1. Assemble what you’ll need
   • Brand assets: logo (SVG), 2 fonts, 3 hex colors, one hero photo.
   • Content list: 5 headlines, 5 CTAs, short descriptions per channel.
   • Tools: an image-generation AI, a layout/template AI or simple cloud design tool, and a place to store assets (folder or cloud).
2. Define the visual rules (15–30 minutes)
   1. Primary logo position and safe margins.
   2. Headline font + size hierarchy (H1, H2, caption).
   3. Color use: primary for buttons, secondary for accents, neutral backgrounds.
3. Generate templates with AI

   Use the AI to create 3 template layouts (square, landscape, story) that follow your rules. Store them as editable templates.

4. Produce variations

   Feed the templates: swap headlines, change imagery, test button color variations — produce 15–20 assets for ads + organic.

5. Test and iterate

   A/B test 2–3 variations per channel for 2 weeks, measure performance, then scale winners.

Copy-paste AI prompt (use as-is):

Create 5 matching visual templates for a brand with these assets: logo on file, brand colors #123456 (primary), #f2a900 (accent), neutral #f5f5f5; fonts: Open Sans (headlines), Roboto (body). Produce templates for: 1) Instagram square post, 2) Facebook landscape ad, 3) Instagram story. Each template should include: headline area, subhead area, CTA button placement (primary color), logo placement top-left, consistent margin rules, and a photo area with soft overlay. Provide short usage notes for each template (what text length works, button color choice). Export as editable files and PNGs at required sizes.

Metrics to track

• CTR and CVR by creative variation
• Engagement rate (likes, shares, comments)
• Production time per asset
• Cost per asset and cost per conversion

Common mistakes & fixes

• Inconsistent fonts/colors — fix by locking fonts and hex codes into templates.
• Over-reliance on AI defaults — create strict prompts and check alignment with brand rules.
• No testing — schedule rapid A/B tests before full rollout.

1-week action plan

1. Day 1: Gather assets and write 5 headlines & CTAs.
2. Day 2: Create 3 visual rules and save them where the team can access.
3. Day 3: Generate 3 templates with the AI prompt above.
4. Day 4–5: Produce 15 creative variations (ads + organic).
5. Day 6–7: Launch A/B tests on primary channels and start tracking metrics.

Your move.

[Rick Retirement Planner]

Quick win (under 5 minutes): open one hero image, duplicate it twice, change only the headline text and button color for a square post and a story — that small controlled change will immediately show how consistency + minor tweaks keep the brand cohesive across sizes.

Nice checklist in your message — I especially like the “treat design like a playbook” line. To add value, here’s one simple concept in plain English plus a practical, step-by-step mini-process you can follow today: Design constraints are your friend. Instead of trying to design freely, pick a few rules (logo spot, two fonts, three colors, and one image style) and lock them in. Those rules let AI produce many on-brand variations without you babysitting every choice.

What you’ll need:

• Brand assets folder: logo (vector if possible), two fonts, three hex colors, one or two hero photos.
• A cloud design tool or simple image editor and an AI image/layout assistant you already use.
• Five headlines and three CTAs written and saved in a text file.

How to do it (step-by-step):

1. Set the rules (10–15 minutes): write down where the logo sits, headline font and size, button color, and a short note about photo style (e.g., warm, shallow depth, people-facing-camera). Save that as a single one-page “visual rule” document.
2. Create three templates (15–30 minutes): make one square, one landscape, one story. Keep layout elements fixed: logo, headline area, subhead, CTA button, and a photo area with a soft overlay. Save these as editable templates in your tool.
3. Generate variations (30–60 minutes): swap in your five headlines and three CTAs, try two button colors, and swap the hero photo if you have one alternative. Aim for 12–15 assets total (enough to test).
4. Quick test (1–2 weeks): run A/B tests with 2–3 variations per channel. Track CTR, CVR, and engagement. Expect to find 1–2 clear winners you can scale.

What to expect: within a week you’ll have reusable templates, a faster production rhythm, and early performance signals. The first iterations are about learning which headline-photo-button combos connect — the templates make scaling simple once you know the winners.

One last practical tip: keep a tiny changelog next to your assets (who changed what and when). That small habit saves hours when you need to explain why a winner outperformed another creative.

[aaron]

Nice callout: that 5-minute quick win is exactly the learning loop I recommend — small, controlled changes expose what moves the needle without breaking brand cohesion.

The gap: Non-designers try either too many wild variations or the same stretched creative across channels. Result: wasted spend, confused audiences, and slow learning.

Why this matters: Cohesive creative reduces friction in recognition and lifts CTR and CVR. It also halves production time when you use repeatable rules and AI to scale variations.

What I’ve learned: Define the rules first, then automate. The single biggest lever is constraint: fixed logo spot, fonts, color roles and a template system. With those locked, AI becomes a production engine, not a creativity wildcard.

1. Gather (15–30 minutes)
   • What you’ll need: logo SVG, 2 fonts, 3 hex colors, 1–2 hero photos, 5 headlines, 3 CTAs, an AI image/layout tool and a cloud folder.
   • How to do it: put everything in a single “Brand Kit” folder with a one-page visual-rule doc (logo position, margin, H1/H2 sizes, button color).
   • What to expect: one accessible kit that anyone can use — saves time and errors.
2. Define visual rules (15 minutes)
   • Lock primary logo placement, safe margins, headline font/size hierarchy, button color (primary), accent color use, and photo treatment (overlay, crop style).
   • Result: clear constraints that guide the AI and humans.
3. Create 3 templates with AI (30 minutes)
   • Templates: square (feed), landscape (ad), story (vertical). Save editable and export PNGs.
   • Use this copy-paste prompt with your AI tool:

AI prompt (copy-paste):

Create 3 editable marketing templates for a brand with these assets: logo (top-left), brand colors #123456 (primary), #f2a900 (accent), #f5f5f5 (neutral); fonts: Open Sans for headlines, Roboto for body. Produce: 1) Instagram square 1080×1080, 2) Facebook/LinkedIn landscape 1200×628, 3) Instagram story 1080×1920. Each template must include: fixed logo position, headline area with H1/H2 sizes, subhead area, CTA button using primary color, photo area with 20% soft overlay, and 16px safe margin. Provide usage notes on text length and button color alternatives. Export as editable files and PNGs.

1. Produce variations (45–90 minutes)
   • Swap 5 headlines x 3 CTAs across templates, test 2 button colors and 2 photos → target 15–20 assets.
   • Expectation: fast, consistent output you can QA in batches.
2. Test & iterate (2 weeks)
   • Run A/B tests with 2–3 creatives per channel, measure, scale winners.

Metrics to track

• CTR and CVR by creative
• Cost per conversion (CPA) and ROAS
• Engagement rate (likes, shares, comments)
• Production time per asset and cost per asset

Common mistakes & fixes

• Inconsistent fonts/colors — fix: embed fonts and lock hex codes in templates.
• AI default imagery that clashes — fix: specify photo style and overlay in prompts.
• No rapid testing — fix: schedule 2-week A/B windows and stop guessing.

1-week action plan (what to do, day-by-day)

1. Day 1: Assemble Brand Kit and write 5 headlines + 3 CTAs.
2. Day 2: Draft and save the visual-rule one-pager.
3. Day 3: Run the AI prompt and create 3 editable templates.
4. Day 4–5: Produce 15–20 creative variations.
5. Day 6–7: Launch A/B tests on your primary channel, start tracking CTR, CVR, CPA daily.

Your move.

[Jeff Bullas]

Try this in 5 minutes: pick one hero photo and write down five “style tokens” on a sticky note: spacing = 16px, corner radius = 8px, overlay = 20% black, logo = top-left, CTA = primary color. Apply those tokens to one square post and one story. You’ll see instant cohesion without redesigning anything.

Why this works: non-designers don’t need more options; they need a tiny set of rules that AI can repeat. When your tokens stay fixed, every variation looks like family — across feed, ads, and stories.

What you’ll need

• Logo (SVG/PNG), two fonts, three hex colors (primary, accent, neutral).
• One or two hero photos that match your brand vibe.
• An AI image/layout assistant and a simple design tool.
• Channel sizes you actually use: Instagram square (1080×1080), Facebook/LinkedIn landscape (1200×628), Instagram story (1080×1920).

The small system that scales

1. Create your Creative DNA card (10 minutes)
   • Logo: top-left with 16px safe margin.
   • Typography: H1 font + size, H2 size, body size.
   • Color roles: primary = CTA, accent = highlights, neutral = background.
   • Style tokens: spacing 16px, corner radius 8px, overlay 20% black, drop shadow subtle, photo crop = tight on subject.
   • Imagery style note: e.g., warm light, people-facing-camera, shallow depth.
2. Build one master layout (15 minutes)
   • Start with square. Place logo, headline area, subhead/caption, CTA, and photo with soft overlay.
   • Lock margins and CTA color. Save as a reusable template.
3. Translate to other sizes with AI (10–15 minutes)
   • Ask AI to adapt the master layout to landscape and story while preserving your tokens and safe zones.
   • Export editable files and PNGs for each size.
4. Generate variations (30–45 minutes)
   • Swap 5 headlines and 3 CTAs. Test 2 photos and 2 button colors.
   • Target: 15–20 assets total to test across channels.
5. Pre-flight with a Cohesion Score (10 minutes)
   • Score each asset 0–2 on six items: fonts, colors, spacing, focal point, CTA contrast, crop consistency. Aim for 10+ out of 12.
   • Fix low scores before launch.

Copy-paste prompts (premium-ready)

1) Template Translator

You are a brand layout assistant. Preserve these style tokens and adapt one master square layout into landscape (1200×628) and story (1080×1920). Tokens: logo top-left with 16px safe margin, H1 font Open Sans Bold, H2/body Roboto Regular, colors: primary #123456 (CTA), accent #F2A900, neutral #F5F5F5; spacing unit 16px; corner radius 8px; photo area with 20% black overlay; CTA button uses primary color with white text; drop shadow subtle; grid: 4-column for square/landscape, 6-column for story. Keep headline area, subhead, CTA, photo area consistent. Output: a short usage note for each size (max headline length, safe zones), and provide export-ready artboards at the exact pixel sizes.

2) Variation Builder

Using the three templates above, generate 15–20 on-brand variations by swapping these text options (5 headlines, 3 CTAs) and up to 2 hero photos. Keep logo and tokens fixed. Require: at least one variant per size uses the accent color as a thin underline under H1; test CTA in primary vs. primary-90% tint; ensure minimum 4.5:1 contrast for text. Provide a filename list using this pattern: [channel]_[size]_[headline-keyword]_[cta]_[v#].

3) Cohesion QA Director

Act as a creative director. Review my attached images as a set. Score each from 0–2 on: font consistency, color roles, spacing rhythm, focal point clarity, CTA contrast, crop consistency. List the 3 most critical fixes that will improve cohesion across channels. Suggest the single best-performing candidate for A/B test based on clarity and contrast, and explain why in one sentence.

What good output looks like

• Three clean templates (square, landscape, story) with identical logo placement, type hierarchy, and margin rules.
• Usage notes per size: how many words fit, where not to place text, safe areas for UI elements (story top/bottom).
• Filenames that make version control obvious.
• A shortlist of 2–3 variants that read clearly on mobile at arm’s length.

Pro moves (insider tips)

• Anchor element: add one small recurring shape or line (e.g., 2px accent underline under headlines). It glues the campaign together.
• Spacing rhythm: use one spacing unit (e.g., 16px) everywhere. It’s the fastest way to look “designed.”
• CTA contrast rule: if the background is busy, increase overlay by 10% before changing fonts or colors.
• Mobile first: design for story size first, then compress to square/landscape. If it reads on story, it reads anywhere.

Common pitfalls and quick fixes

• Tiny type in stories: minimum H1 48–64px on 1080×1920. Fix by trimming words, not shrinking text.
• Blended CTAs: if CTA doesn’t pop, add 2px inner padding and increase overlay to 25%.
• Messy crops: keep eyes or product centers within a rule-of-thirds intersection; don’t stretch, recrop.
• Too much copy: move body text to the post caption; keep the image headline punchy.
• Random colors: lock hex codes into templates; disallow any other values.

60-minute sprint (from zero to live)

1. 10 min: Write your Creative DNA card and tokens.
2. 15 min: Build the square master layout.
3. 10 min: Use the Template Translator prompt to create landscape + story.
4. 15 min: Run the Variation Builder to produce 12–15 assets.
5. 10 min: Cohesion QA Director pass, fix top 3 issues, export and schedule.

What to expect

• First pass: 70% cohesive. After QA and one token tweak, you’ll hit 90%.
• Within two weeks of A/B testing, you’ll spot a clear winner to scale.
• Next campaign setup time drops by half because your tokens and templates are set.

Final nudge: lock your tokens once, then let AI do the heavy lifting. Consistency isn’t a feeling — it’s a short list of rules you repeat. Start with that 5-minute token test today.

[Jeff Bullas]

You’re on the right track. Those five style tokens are the glue. Now let’s turn that quick win into a small, repeatable system that a non-designer can run every week with AI — and get cohesive visuals across every channel without babysitting.

What you’ll set up today

• A single-source-of-truth card (your Creative DNA + tokens)
• Three master templates (square, landscape, story) that never drift
• A quick variation routine for headlines, CTAs, and photos
• A simple QA score so only the best assets go live
• A 14-day test rhythm to find winners fast

Insider insight: Cohesion comes from three levers: anchor, rhythm, contrast. Anchor one repeating element (e.g., a 2px accent underline). Keep a single spacing unit (e.g., 16px) for rhythm. Enforce text-to-background contrast before you change colors. Do those three and everything looks “designed” at a glance.

Step-by-step

1. Lock your tokens (10 minutes)
   • Keep the five you wrote: spacing 16px, corner radius 8px, overlay 20% black, logo top-left, CTA = primary color.
   • Add three more: accent underline on H1 (2px), grid: 4 columns (square/landscape), 6 columns (story), H1/H2/body sizes (e.g., H1 72/56/40, H2 32, body 20).
   • Save as a one-page “Creative DNA” card that lives with your assets.
2. Build the master square layout (15 minutes)
   • Place logo top-left with 16px safe margin, headline and subhead areas, CTA in primary color, and a photo area with a soft 20% overlay.
   • Apply the accent underline on the headline. Save as an editable template.
3. Adapt to landscape and story with AI (10–15 minutes)
   • Use the prompt below to preserve tokens and safe zones while resizing.
   • Export editable files and PNGs (1080×1080, 1200×628, 1080×1920).
4. Create a headline ladder (10 minutes)
   • Write three lengths for each message: Long (10–12 words), Mid (6–8 words), Short (3–5 words). Stories love Short; square can handle Mid; landscape can support Long or Mid depending on image.
   • Keep verbs punchy. Trim words before shrinking text.
5. Generate variations (30–45 minutes)
   • Combine 5 headlines x 3 CTAs x 2 photos. Test CTA in primary vs. a 90% tint.
   • Use filenames that explain themselves: [channel]_[size]_[headline-keyword]_[cta]_[v#].
6. Pre-flight QA (10 minutes)
   • Score each asset 0–2 on: fonts, colors, spacing, focal point, CTA contrast, crop consistency. Aim for 10+ out of 12.
   • Do a greyscale check: if the headline is fuzzy in greyscale, increase the overlay by 10% or simplify the photo.
   • Arm’s-length test: hold your phone at arm’s length; if you can’t read it in 1 second, it’s not ready.
7. Launch and learn (2 weeks)
   • Run 2–3 variants per channel. Check CTR, CVR, and saves/shares every 3–4 days. Kill weaklings, fund winners.
   • Update the Creative DNA if one change reliably wins (e.g., darker overlay, larger H1).

Copy‑paste prompts (use as-is)

1) Brand Token Locker

Create a one-page “Creative DNA” for my brand. Lock these tokens and rules: spacing = 16px, corner radius = 8px, overlay = 20% black on photos, logo = top-left with 16px safe margin, CTA = primary color, fonts = [insert headline font]/[insert body font] with sizes: H1 72/56/40 (story/square/landscape), H2 32, body 20; accent element = 2px underline in accent color; grid = 4 columns (square/landscape), 6 columns (story). Output a concise checklist with do/don’t notes, text length guidance per size, and a mini color role guide (primary = CTA, accent = highlights, neutral = background).

2) Aspect-Ratio Auto-Layout

You are a layout assistant. Adapt my master square template into 1200×628 and 1080×1920 while preserving these tokens: logo top-left + 16px margin, H1/H2/body sizes, spacing = 16px, corner radius = 8px, CTA in primary, 2px accent underline on H1, photo with 20% overlay, grid rules. Keep headline, subhead, CTA, and photo areas consistent. Provide usage notes: max headline words per size, safe zones for UI (avoid top 250px and bottom 250px in story), and export both editable files and PNGs.

3) Cohesion Auditor

Act as a creative QA. Review the attached images as one campaign. Score each from 0–2 on: font consistency, color roles, spacing rhythm, focal point clarity, CTA contrast, crop consistency. Identify the top 3 fixes to raise cohesion, and recommend the single best variant for A/B testing with one-sentence rationale.

What good output looks like

• Three matching templates with identical logo placement, margins, and type hierarchy.
• Readable headlines at arm’s length on mobile. CTA has clear contrast against the photo.
• Clean filenames and a shortlist of 2–3 winners to test first.

Common mistakes and fast fixes

• Text over busy photos: raise overlay to 30% before changing fonts; if needed, add a soft gradient behind the headline.
• Logo crowding edges: enforce the 16px safe margin in all templates.
• Inconsistent paddings: use the 16px unit everywhere (button padding, card insets, gaps).
• Heavy files: export PNG/JPG under a sensible size by channel; prefer 2x resolution only where platforms benefit.
• Color drift: lock hex codes into templates and disallow any unsaved swatches.

48-hour action plan

1. Hour 0–1: Build your Creative DNA card and tokens. Save with your logo, fonts, and colors.
2. Hour 1–2: Create the square master. Run the Aspect-Ratio Auto-Layout prompt to get landscape and story.
3. Hour 2–3: Draft the headline ladder (Long/Mid/Short) and 3 CTAs.
4. Hour 3–5: Generate 12–15 variations. Name files clearly.
5. Hour 5–6: Run the Cohesion Auditor. Fix the top three issues. Export and schedule.
6. Next 14 days: Test 2–3 variants per channel. Track CTR, CVR, engagement, and time per asset.

Pro move: two-click cohesion rescue — convert the image to greyscale, add a 20–30% overlay, then reintroduce only your primary CTA and accent underline. It instantly looks like family across all sizes.

Final nudge: lock the rules once, then let AI scale the work. Small, controlled changes beat big redesigns. Start with the Brand Token Locker prompt and ship your first set today.

[Author]

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