So how have we done it?

Format has taken a disruptive approach to digital asset creation.

Every existing graphics editor follows the same paradigm: users have a visual quadrangle canvas, on which they directly place and manipulate text, shapes and photos.

In Format, though, the primary canvas is not a bitmapped rectangle – it’s a code editor.

Every single Format is, in fact, a web page.

By utilising the power and fundamentals of web-development to create an easy to use and consistent design application, Format has removed the high barrier to entry and experience required to create beautiful digital assets at scale.

It allows more efficient ways to complete easier, repetitive and time-consuming design tasks – reducing the process by up to 90 per cent with zero margin for error.

Crucially, all members of a team who use Format are now able to complete these tasks – reducing the friction often experienced in content production when waiting and relying on others; while freeing up designers’ time so they can focus on what they do best – bring more creative and developing a broader range of assets.

How have we built it?

The Format development window comprises three panels:

• A code editor where the user creating the Format builds their core template using HTML, CSS and JSX — plus a few super-smart plug-and-play custom components
• A form builder configures variables and inputs available to the end user (like text, images, JSON data, GPT triggers and more)
• A preview window, where a real-time preview of the Format you’re configuring is displayed in an iframe

Virtually anything is possible as developers set the default state (and limitations) of their Format design, so end users can create unlimited assets based on a singular design in a supremely controlled and simple environment.

From a single set of inputs, all alternate versions, aspect ratios or themes can be created automatically for batch download.

When an asset is finalised, we save a new version of the Format with the variables as configured by the end user, rapidly generating a high-quality render of the graphic server-side and downloading through the user’s browser.

Human creativity vs. AI?

We are passionate believers that human creativity cannot be replaced by AI.

Format relies on the abilities of brilliant people to craft beautifully designed templates before being uploaded into the platform. Before others use their editorial judgement to add the best content (images, text etc) which they know will engage their desired audience – whether that’s providing breaking news on social feeds or selling products via out of home advertising.

But, we also know a number of repetitive and dull tasks can often slow up processes — and this is where we’ve made the most of almost twenty years of responsive web design advances, to help users get to their end point faster, along with some additional help from integrated task-based AI actions, like automatic background removal.

• Images can auto-fill their container, making it impossible to leave dead space or move out of bounds.
• Our dynamic text components allow the designer to set minimum and maximum font sizes, maximum number of available lines, maximum overall element size and the ability to keep lines as uniform in width as possible. From here, anything you type resizes and self-balances automatically within a set space.
• Image background removal eliminates a previously incredibly tedious job.
• Creation via CSV upload allows you to produce unlimited variations of a template with a click of a button – whether it’s thousands of conference delegate badges or artist announcements for your festival.
• Live data – from sports scores to share prices and news headlines – can appear and update in real-time on the design canvas.