Data Merge

The traditional workflow relied heavily on manual steps:

• Preparing hundreds of product images
• Organizing product data
• Placing each item individually into the layout

At this scale, the process typically required up to 7 days of repetitive work and carried a high risk of human error in pricing, naming and product specifications.

Instead of optimizing individual tasks, I redesigned the workflow around structured data and automation.

First, the product information was organized into a structured Excel database, creating a reliable source for names, prices and product references.

Next, image preparation was automated using actions and batch processing in Photoshop to quickly standardize hundreds of product images.

Finally, the structured data was connected to Adobe InDesign through Data Merge, allowing the catalog layout to populate automatically with the correct images, typography and pricing styles.

Production time reduced from 7 days to 1 day.

• Significantly lower risk of manual data entry errors
• A scalable workflow where future updates require only refreshing the source data rather than rebuilding the layout

Design efficiency is no longer just about visual execution.

It is increasingly about how we structure and manage the information behind the design.

When repetitive tasks are automated, designers can move beyond manual production and focus on higher-level thinking — designing not only visuals, but the workflows that power them.