Large-Scale Catalogue Workflow Automation

This project involved working alongside the lead designer of a high-volume product catalogue to transition an established design process into a more scalable production workflow. As the project grew over several years to include thousands of product variations, sizes, and finishes, the goal was to develop a system that reduced the manual production burden, allowing the designer to focus on creative direction rather than data management.

​A key part of the process involved organising complex supplier product data into a format optimised for Adobe InDesign Data Merge. To ensure accuracy across such a large volume of information, Excel-based scripts were used to restructure fragmented data into clean, consistent datasets. This automation formed a reliable foundation for driving layout outputs across diverse catalogue sections, significantly reducing the need for manual, page-by-page entry.

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The workflow also integrated InDesign-specific scripts to handle nuanced layout functions, such as managing product variants and linking interchangeable artwork combinations. To support this pipeline, repetitive image preparation was also streamlined by utilising effects across thousands of product assets. By establishing these logic-based methods for connecting data to visual assets, the system maintains high levels of consistency while remaining flexible. This ensures that future updates or supplier changes can be implemented seamlessly without requiring large-scale manual rebuilds.​​​

​The final result was a controlled, scalable automated framework that supported the design aesthetic standards while improving efficiency. By automating repetitive handling and data mapping, the new workflow ensures consistency across all product groups and provides a sustainable framework for the catalogue's continued growth.​​​​