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Development of an AI image generator

How an AI-supported image generator increases employee engagement and enables creative employer branding.

#modelle #bildgeneration #ki #employerbranding

Our Impact

  • >70 % of employees use the tool

  • about 6,800 images were generated

  • Security first: no disclosure to third parties

The Challenge

As part of our employer branding campaign “Date Us If You Love IT”, we want to take our employees' engagement and identification with the brand to the next level. The challenge: to involve 1,200 colleagues in the campaign with a creative but also scalable approach. The idea: everyone should be part of the retro Herzblatt campaign with an AI portrait. However, in our search for the right tool, conventional AI image generators did not meet our usability and data protection requirements. We therefore decided to develop our own solution that meets all these requirements.

The Solution

We are developing the RetroMe image generator: an AI-supported image generator that enables our employees to create a unique retro-style image with just two clicks. Each colleague uploads their own photo and becomes part of the campaign. Sounds simple? It is - but it's only possible thanks to careful design and clear safety precautions. This keeps the process simple and intuitive for employees while protecting their privacy at all times.

Retro-Me Mobile Mockup

Secure through open source

In contrast to many external solutions where data is passed on to third-party providers, at Exxeta we rely on open source models that are hosted in our own AWS cloud. This ensures maximum data security and guarantees that all image data remains within the company. Third-party providers do not have access to the uploaded images - this is particularly important to us. Under this premise, we save ourselves various legal issues right from the design stage.

It is also particularly important to us that our employees retain control over the images they generate. We therefore integrate a function that allows them to give their consent to the use of images for marketing purposes - on a voluntary basis, of course. The security and data protection of our employees is a key issue right from the start.

Technology that inspires

The application uses a responsive design in React that works flawlessly on both desktop and mobile devices. The whole process? Simple and intuitive - upload image, two clicks, lean back, get retro image. This is initially the result of a careful and well thought-out concept. Thanks to clearly defined prompts and fixed parameters, users do not have to make any settings themselves.

The Approach

A team of conception and implementation

Development is more than just a technical implementation - it is a genuine interdisciplinary project. The brand and developer teams work closely together right from the start to ensure that the final image really fits the campaign style. AI is not only used as a technical tool, but also maps the photographer, stylist and set designer. The defined prompts and requirements ensure that every image is created authentically and in line with the retro campaign.

The workflow design

The generation process takes place in several coordinated steps:

  • 1. image analysis - After uploading the photo, the generator automatically recognizes characteristics such as gender, body type and facial features.

  • 2. dynamic prompt generation - Based on this analysis and predefined style templates, a dynamic prompt is created that includes randomly selected accessories, outfits and backgrounds.

  • 3. face swap model - An advanced process ensures that the user's face is perfectly integrated into the generated retro image.

Development phases

We develop the RetroMe image generator in four clearly defined phases:

Phase 1: Concept and strategy

The goal: to design a user experience that is as simple and intuitive as possible - while generating the best possible image. By defining clear prompts and parameters in advance, we ensure that users do not have to make any decisions later - but can immerse themselves in the retro look directly by uploading their image.

Phase 2: Proof of concept

We test local open source image models and set up the basic backend. The main goals are to test the image generation and collect feedback from early users to optimize usability.

Phase 3: Going live

After the initial tests, we launch the live version of the generator. This initially poses technical challenges, as many employees want to access the generator at the same time. We therefore increase the server capacity to cope with the high user load.

Phase 4: Maintenance

In the final phase, we focus on stabilizing and optimizing the application. The infrastructure is improved and optimized to ensure consistent availability and further refine the digital experience for all users.

A successful model for creative employer branding

With the RetroMe image generator, we are not only creating a creative tool that takes our employer branding campaign to the next level, but also a secure and transparent experience for our employees.

What the experts say

  • “As one of the leading IT and technology consultancies in Germany, it was obvious for us to incorporate innovative technologies into our employer branding campaign. At the same time, it was important for us to actively involve our employees and make them multipliers of the campaign. Because at Exxeta, people come first. With our AI generator, we have achieved exactly that: every employee can become part of the campaign and authentically convey our message to the outside world.”

  • “Our employer branding campaign relies heavily on its visual power. That's why it was important for us to perfectly integrate activities outside of the main assets into the visual concept. With the AI solution, we were able to create a tool that employees can use without any security concerns - and that allows them to easily immerse themselves in the campaign. This way, they not only contribute to the campaign, but also recognize themselves in it. And when colleagues proudly swap their LinkedIn profile picture with their RetroMe picture shortly after the generator is published, then we know we've done everything right: We've done everything right.”

  • “Individual AI applications in particular show how valuable close collaboration between different developers is. Different perspectives come together - from AI expertise to front-end design - and enable solutions that are not only technically precise, but also create real user experiences. Such projects show what is possible for brands today.”

Let's get in touch

Jessica Haag

Director Brand & Communication

Want to learn more?