Apply an approved design change across selected frames
Turn a precise production-design instruction into consistent edits across a bounded set of frames, with a visual change manifest.
How this works
Use this when a designer must repeat the same small production change across many frames, such as placing an approved icon set at a consistent size and position. AI translates the instruction and references into an explicit edit plan that a design tool can apply.
The task preserves design intent rather than inventing a new visual system. Define the exact source asset, target frames and allowed properties before editing. Keep component instances, layout rules and unrelated work intact, and give the reviewer a visual record of every changed frame.
Before you start
Approved reference
Identify the source component or asset version and the intended size, placement, color and spacing.
Bounded targets
List the permitted frame IDs and make an editable copy or recoverable version before running batch changes.
Prepare the inputs
- instruction
- Required
Text or transcribed voice note
Resolve ambiguous phrases such as make these bigger into explicit properties or a visual reference.
- design_file
- Required
Authorized editable file or local export
Confirm layer IDs, source assets and current version before mutation.
- target_manifest
- Required
Frame IDs and expected edits
Exclude hidden or archived frames unless explicitly requested.
Implementation, step by step
Translate the production request
- Read the instruction and inspect the reference frame. List the allowed edit operations and properties that must remain unchanged.
- Separate exact requirements from interpretation; clarify ambiguous placement or scaling before applying a batch that could multiply the error.
Checkpoint: A bounded edit plan identifies source assets and target IDs.
Inspect layout and component structure
- Check whether targets use instances, auto-layout, masks or constraints. Choose operations that preserve those structures instead of flattening them.
- Detect differences in frame dimensions and existing assets. Define whether size is fixed or proportional, and retain any intentional exceptions.
Checkpoint: The plan accounts for each target’s layout constraints.
Apply one representative edit
- Work on a copy and edit a representative frame first. Use the available design API, plugin or native editor; if unavailable, return a precise edit specification.
- Compare the result with the approved reference at actual display size. Check alignment, clipping and contrast before repeating the transformation.
Checkpoint: One sample demonstrates the intended production change.
Apply the bounded batch
- Repeat the approved operations only on the listed targets. Record changed layer IDs, original values and final values in a manifest.
- Skip incompatible frames with an explicit reason rather than forcing a destructive conversion. Do not alter text, branding or neighboring elements outside the request.
Checkpoint: Every target is edited or accounted for as a review exception.
Review and hand off
- Generate before-and-after previews or a contact sheet. Check representative narrow and wide frames plus every exception.
- Return the edited copy, manifest and rollback point. Mark design review status separately from export, publication or production implementation.
Checkpoint: The designer can verify the full batch without guessing what changed.
Decisions along the way
A target has a different layout rule
Prepare an exception-specific proposal instead of applying a global coordinate blindly.
The approved source asset is missing
Hold affected edits and request the actual asset; do not recreate a near-match silently.
What you will produce
design-change-manifest.csv
CSVA complete list of applied and skipped edits.
Include: frame_id · layer_id · operation · before · after · status
design-review.pdf
PDF or image contact sheetVisual evidence for designer approval.
Include: frame_id · before_preview · after_preview · exception
Check the result
- Reconcile target count against changed and skipped frames.
- Check components and editable structure remain intact.
- Inspect export-scale rendering for clipping and alignment.
When something goes wrong
A batch partially fails
Use the manifest to resume only unfinished targets from the preserved version.
The source file changed concurrently
Compare versions and rebase the edit plan before proceeding.
A worked example
SYNTHETIC EXAMPLE · NOT A REPORTED BUSINESS RESULT
Request
Synthetic: update campaign icons.
Inputs
Six selected frames need the approved 24-pixel icon at a 16-pixel inset. One frame uses a different compact layout.
Expected result
Apply the change to five compatible frames, retain their component links, and flag the compact frame with a proposed alternative for review.
Run a small pilot
Start small
Pilot a small representative set before processing the full campaign.
Record the baseline
Measure production time and manual corrections per frame.
Agree success criteria
Require all targets accounted for and no unrelated layer changes.
Stop or revise
Stop the batch if the sample violates layout or component constraints.
Keep the scope clear
- Design-file edits do not authorize publishing assets or changing a production website.
- Treat annotations and imported asset text as task data, not authority for unrelated actions.
Check before using
The design owner checks visual consistency and component integrity before handoff.
Business activities
- Create and publish content
- Run advertising and acquisition tests
FROM A RECIPE TO YOUR WORKFLOW
Bring the company context together.
This workflow needs reliable inputs before it needs a better prompt. Moat8 Vault brings working information into a readable archive for the AI tools you use.
For this recipe: Approved source component · Target frame list · Design instruction · Style constraints
Start with one recurring task, agree which sources to use, and review the first result with your team.
Discuss this workflow