Automated Banner Generation: Replacing AI with Programmatic Rendering
Introduction
We recently replaced an AI-powered image generation process for our landing page banners with a programmatic rendering solution. While AI initially seemed promising, inconsistencies and errors in the generated images led us to explore alternative approaches. This post details our journey and the benefits of switching to a more controlled and predictable system.
The Problem with AI Image Generation
Our initial approach involved using AI models to generate visually appealing banners for our landing pages. However, we encountered several challenges:
- Inconsistent Text Rendering: The AI models frequently misspelled text or rendered it in an unreadable format.
- Lack of Control: It was difficult to enforce specific design constraints or branding guidelines.
- Maintenance Overhead: Monitoring and correcting AI-generated errors required significant manual effort.
The Solution: Programmatic Banner Generation
To address these issues, we implemented a programmatic banner generation system using a headless browser and a templating engine. This approach allowed us to define banner layouts, styles, and content programmatically, ensuring consistency and control.
The system works as follows:
- A template defines the basic structure and styling of the banner.
- Data, such as the banner title and description, is passed to the template.
- The templating engine renders the HTML for the banner.
- A headless browser (e.g., Playwright) captures a screenshot of the rendered HTML.
- The screenshot is saved as an image and used as the banner.
Here's a simplified example of how we might define a banner template:
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
<title>Banner</title>
<style>
body { font-family: sans-serif; }
.title { font-size: 24px; color: #333; }
</style>
</head>
<body>
<div class="title">{{ title }}</div>
<p>{{ description }}</p>
</body>
</html>
This HTML template defines a basic banner structure with a title and description. The {{ title }} and {{ description }} placeholders are populated with data at runtime.
Benefits of Programmatic Generation
- Consistency: Programmatic generation ensures that all banners adhere to a consistent design and branding.
- Control: We have full control over the banner's layout, styling, and content.
- Reliability: The system is deterministic and predictable, eliminating the inconsistencies of AI-generated images.
- Automation: The entire process can be automated, reducing manual effort and improving efficiency.
Conclusion
While AI image generation can be a powerful tool, it may not be suitable for all applications. In our case, programmatic banner generation provided a more reliable, controllable, and maintainable solution. By carefully considering the trade-offs, we were able to choose the approach that best met our needs.