case-study April 10, 2026 7 min read

Automating SEM asset creation and optimization with AI and internal tools

#ai#automation#marketing#sem#tools#productivity

Introduction

In digital marketing teams — especially in SEM — there’s a recurring problem that rarely gets solved from a product perspective: managing and producing visual assets.

Across multiple projects, I noticed a clear pattern: a significant amount of time is spent on repetitive image-related tasks.

• Optimizing file sizes to meet platform requirements
• Finding high-quality stock images consistent with a campaign
• Adapting formats and aspect ratios for different placements
• Producing multiple creative variations

These tasks aren’t strategic, but they are critical for execution.

The opportunity

I identified a clear business need: reducing operational time in asset management and increasing campaign launch speed. The issue wasn’t a lack of resources — it was a lack of tools aligned with real, daily workflows.

So I decided to build three focused tools, each addressing a specific friction point in the process.

1. Bulk image optimization

👉 image-reduce-resize.vercel.app

The first problem: heavy images in production. This directly impacts web performance, page load times, and campaign efficiency.

Solution

A tool where users can paste a batch of image URLs, set a target size (e.g., under 100kb) and process them automatically.

Result

• Massive file size reduction without manual intervention.
• High-speed batch optimization in seconds.
• No need for complex external software for tactical tasks.

2. Stock image API downloader

👉 image-api-downloader.vercel.app

The second problem: the friction of searching for and downloading assets one by one across multiple stock platforms.

Solution

A centralized tool that connects to stock library APIs, enabling thematic searches and batch downloads in a single workflow.

Result

• Drastic time savings in asset discovery.
• Improved visual consistency across complex campaigns.

3. AI-powered asset generation (BannerMagic)

👉 bannermagic.lovable.app

The third and perhaps most costly problem: adapting creatives to the myriad of formats required by ad platforms (Display, Social, etc.).

Solution

An AI-driven tool that generates image sets automatically, adapting aspect ratios based on the objective while maintaining aesthetic coherence.

Result

• Full asset sets produced in minutes.
• Infinite creative scalability.
• Reduced dependency on manual design processes for tactical execution.

Key decisions

During development, I prioritized strategic utility over feature bloat:

• Focused tools over generic platforms: Each tool solves a specific, real-world pain point.
• Speed over perfection: Designed to be fast, functional, and zero-friction.
• Applied AI over hype: Practical use of AI models for meaningful content generation and adaptation.
• Workflows over features: The true value emerges when these tools integrate into the team’s daily flow.

Learnings

This project reinforced several key ideas about strategic design operations:

• The biggest business opportunities are often hidden in “invisible” processes.
• Automating internal workflows can have a larger impact than launching new external features.
• AI is truly valuable when it removes repetitive burden, allowing teams to focus on strategy.
• Design is also about optimizing operations.

Closing

This case study isn’t about building a massive platform. It’s about something more vital: identifying real friction in a process and removing it with simple, effective tools. Because innovation often isn’t about adding more layers — it’s about removing the ones that slow you down.