Introduction
AI is no longer merely a supporting technology; it has evolved into a work companion that enhances efficiency, creativity, and productivity across various fields. In line with my Objective and Key Results (OKR), “Implement GenAI in work tasks and document outcomes on Ecolabs,” one of the most impactful implementations I have carried out is in the process of designing posters for routine company activities.
This article documents my experience in implementing GenAI in design-related tasks, explains the new workflow that has emerged, and highlights the tangible benefits—especially in terms of time efficiency and improved creative output.
Background of the Work
One of my recurring responsibilities is creating posters for various monthly activities, such as internal company events and other visual communications. In this process, I have long had an idea that I was unable to realize: using original characters derived from real photographs and transforming them into cartoon-style or vector illustrations.
This approach is highly relevant for branding and visual storytelling, as it creates a more personal and engaging visual identity. However, before the availability of AI tools, this idea remained unrealized due to practical constraints. Converting real photos into vector or cartoon-style illustrations manually using design software such as CorelDRAW or Adobe Illustrator requires a significant amount of time and advanced technical skills. As a result, this creative concept was consistently postponed.
Challenges Before the Use of AI
In traditional design workflows, creating a vector or semi-realistic character from a real photo involves multiple time-consuming steps, including:
- Manually tracing facial and body shapes
- Adjusting proportions and refining details
- Applying colors and shading
- Repeated revisions to maintain resemblance to the original photo
For a highly experienced professional designer, this process typically takes 2 to 5 hours for a single character. For designers with less experience, it can take even longer. Given tight deadlines and frequent design requests, this method is inefficient and difficult to sustain in a fast-paced work environment.
Workflow Transformation with GenAI
The introduction of GenAI has fundamentally changed this process. The current design workflow I use is significantly more streamlined and efficient, supported by AI at key stages:
- Selecting the Original Photo
First, I select the original photograph or character to be transformed into a cartoon or vector-style illustration, such as semi-realistic, flat cartoon, or modern illustration styles. - Image Conversion Using GenAI
The selected photo is then processed using GenAI platforms such as ChatGPT or Gemini AI. By providing clear and specific prompts, the AI can transform the original image into the desired cartoon or illustration style within a very short time. - Background Removal with AI
Once the character image is ready, the next step is removing the background. This task is also fully supported by AI tools. While several platforms can be used, I most frequently rely on remove.bg due to its speed and consistent results. - Final Poster Design in Canva
After the visual assets are prepared, I proceed to finalize the poster design using Canva. At this stage, I focus on layout composition, typography, color harmony, and supporting visual elements until the poster is ready for use.
Impact on Efficiency and Productivity
From an efficiency standpoint, this transformation is substantial. A process that previously required 2–5 hours to create a single semi-realistic character can now be completed in minutes or less than one hour, including the overall poster design.
The key benefits include:
- Significant reduction in production time
- Increased productivity without compromising visual quality
- The ability to execute creative ideas that were previously impractical
- Greater flexibility in experimenting with different visual styles
AI as an Enabler, Not a Replacement
It is important to emphasize that AI does not replace human designers or creative professionals. Instead, AI acts as an enabler—handling technical and repetitive tasks so that humans can focus more on conceptual thinking, creativity, and message delivery.
Critical design decisions, aesthetic judgment, and contextual alignment remain human-driven. AI simply removes technical barriers that once consumed excessive time and effort.
Conclusion
The implementation of GenAI in poster design tasks demonstrates how AI can deliver real and measurable value in everyday work. By leveraging AI for image conversion, background removal, and workflow acceleration, I have improved efficiency while simultaneously unlocking creative possibilities that were previously difficult to achieve.
In alignment with the OKR “Implement GenAI in work tasks and document outcomes on Ecolabs,” this experience shows that GenAI is not merely a technological trend but a practical solution that can be directly applied to enhance work quality and effectiveness. Moving forward, this approach can be expanded to other tasks, further integrating AI as a core component of modern work practices.