Context
Studio Blanc is a photography studio based in Montreal, Canada. During my time living there, I collaborated with the team to explore emerging AI image-generation technologies and led the design of a new eCommerce offering that provided AI-generated visuals tailored for beauty and cosmetic brands.
Problem
Beauty and cosmetic brands rely heavily on high-quality imagery to convey polish, personality, and trust. But producing custom product photography is often expensive, time-consuming, and difficult to scale - especially for small brands. With the rise of AI-generated imagery, Studio Blanc saw an opportunity to reduce production time and costs while offering flexible, on-brand visuals. The challenge was clear: how could we integrate AI image-generation into an existing photography workflow in a way that still felt premium, brand-safe, and visually compelling?
15 mins
Faster booking process
Improved
Creative freedom and iteration
30%
Cut in production costs
Research
I tested whether AI-generated imagery could meet Studio Blanc’s quality standards. Midjourney produced strong lighting and styling results, though imperfections and occasional inaccuracies were common. I conducted a key experiment involving compositing real Lambert handbags into AI-generated backgrounds — the result was highly convincing.
User Needs
Once the AI imagery proved viable, I focused on designing an eCommerce experience tailored to Studio Blanc’s clients. Much of the user research was provided to me by a colleague who had conducted interviews with photographers, brand owners, and marketers. These insights revealed a clear need for speed, customisation, and simplicity - particularly for users without technical experience.
Early sketches explored how users might browse and filter images. Based on client feedback, I moved away from traditional dropdowns and introduced image-based filters and toggleable tabs to make navigation faster and more visual. Features like hex color selection, aspect ratio presets, and product quantity inputs were added to support brand-specific styling needs.
Figma mockups built on this feedback and focused on clarity. I also introduced a “single vs. group” toggle and a comments section, reflecting real-world client requests for batch image variations and space for creative direction. The goal throughout was to give users more control without adding friction.
Iteration & Development
With user needs clearly defined, I begun developing the store on WordPress. While doing so I simplified the product experience to reduce cognitive load and decision fatigue. Originally, users could filter AI-generated images by color, camera angle, and style — but testing showed this created confusion. Instead, I grouped visuals into five distinct “studio styles” with clear labels and example imagery, allowing for faster visual scanning and selection.
To ease users into the new AI offering, we limited the service to two categories: “catalogue” (standard product photography) and “studio” (AI-generated images), accessible via a simple toggle.
On the product page, I replaced dropdown menus with image buttons to improve usability. I also introduced a dynamic preview, which updated based on user selections - helping non-technical clients better understand what they were purchasing. These changes made the service feel approachable, while still offering a high level of customisation for brands with strong visual identities.
Finally, a clear, step-by-step explainer page with interactive visuals was added to build client confidence - showing exactly what they’d receive and how Studio Blanc’s service stands apart from others.
Outcome
The redesigned platform made AI-generated imagery approachable for non-technical clients while preserving Studio Blanc’s premium aesthetic. By simplifying the selection process and digitising key workflows, we reduced booking admin time by up to 15 minutes per client. The new AI image service now offers a scalable alternative to traditional shoots — cutting production costs by an estimated 30% for cosmetic brands. Furthermore, it gave clients greater creative possibility and control, eliminating the need for fantastical props, and allowing for quick, clear ideation for a given concept. Early feedback highlighted the ease of use and clarity of visual controls, validating our solution.