Basics for Creating Effective Prompts

In AI design tools tailored for media like images and videos, a prompt is a concise directive that instructs the AI on the desired outcome. Think of it as a brief for the AI, ensuring it crafts media elements that align with the designer's vision.

Let's break down its components:

• Subject: Specifies the central theme, from people to objects or scenes
• Medium: Dictates the format, such as an image, video, or illustration
• Environment: Sets the backdrop — be it indoors, underwater, or even imaginative locales like the Emerald City
• Lighting: Influences the ambiance, from soft and ambient to dramatic neon hues
• Color: Guides the visual mood, whether vibrant, muted, or monochromatic
• Mood: Describes the emotional resonance, like serene, dynamic, or spirited
• Composition: Shapes the visual arrangement, from close-ups to wide shots

Word choice and order significantly influence AI-generated visual outcomes. For instance, in the phrase "sunrise over a beach," the word "over" accentuates the sun's position, suggesting it's a key element in the image. Conversely, "beach at sunrise" implies the beach is central, with the sunrise as a backdrop.

To make sure your prompt works:

• Be specific: Instead of "beach," consider "sandy beach" or "rocky shoreline" if that's your intended scene.
• Use relatable descriptors: Words that evoke emotions or familiar scenes, like "tranquil" or "bustling," can give more context. "Bustling beach at dawn" paints a different picture than "tranquil beach at dawn."
• Pay attention to grammatical structure: Clearly identify the main subject and use complements to shape the scene’s context. This helps the AI understand what should be central in the image.
• Avoid jargon: Keep it simple. An AI tool might not interpret niche or overly technical terms as you intend.

Experimentation is key. Sometimes, slightly tweaking words can make all the difference in the generated output.^[1]

Modifiers are specific words or phrases used in prompts to refine the desired outcome, adding clarity or context. They adjust the general intent to yield a more pinpointed result.

Here's a breakdown of the role of modifiers in photography prompts:

• Style-based modifiers: These dictate the technique or aesthetic. For example, "polaroid" or "black and white."
• Subject-based modifiers: These highlight the central focus, such as "sunset" or "wildlife."
• Setting and mood modifiers: These depict the environment or emotion. Consider words like "foggy forest" or "joyful carnival."
• Equipment and technique modifiers: These specify tools or methods used, like "drone" or "wide-angle lens."
• Composition modifiers: These guide the image's arrangement. Think "rule of thirds" or "leading lines."
• Lighting modifiers: These shed light on the brightness, direction, or quality. Examples include "soft lighting," "backlit," or "harsh shadows."

For instance, a prompt like "beach photo" might yield a wide array of images. But by using "sunset beach photo with silhouette and soft lighting," you've added clarity, ensuring the result aligns more with your envisioned image, all thanks to these modifiers.

Modifiers play a key role in refining art images, and one crucial aspect is the medium used. Here's a breakdown of the most popular ones:

• Chalk: Think of vibrant street art during a local festival. The powdery texture offers soft gradients and bold hues.
• Graffiti: This is your go-to you want your output to have some urban vibes and get bold or rebellious, with strong statements and vivid colors.
• Watercolors: Known for its translucent layers and delicate strokes. Imagine a misty morning landscape.
• Oil painting: Rich in texture and depth. Picture the intricate details of a classic portrait.
• Fabric: Textile arts, like tapestries or quilts, can convey stories through patterns and materials.
• Pencil drawing: From delicate shading to bold lines. For example, a detailed architectural blueprint or a tender portrait sketch.
• Wood: Sculptures and carvings that bring the essence of forests and timelessness.
• Clay: Molded shapes, from rustic pottery to elegant statues, capturing the touch of the artist's hands.

Modifiers referencing specific artists or photographers serve as invaluable tools in the design realm. They allow designers to channel a particular artist's style, infusing their unique flair into designs. For instance, if you aim for a dark, whimsical touch, you might invoke "Horror by Tim Burton."

Perhaps you're seeking the refined simplicity and elegance found in Ruth Bernhard's monochromatic photographs — mentioning her name can help capture that essence. Or maybe you want to embody the boldness and rebellion palpable in Frida Kahlo's art. By referencing artists directly in prompts to AI tools, you can effectively communicate the desired mood, style, and technique. For a richer palette of artist references, explore platforms like Google Arts & Culture.

Illustrations come alive with the right choice of modifiers, lending them unique personalities and moods. Here are some popular ones you can use:

• 3D illustrations: Giving depth and volume, these often resemble real-life objects. Think of "origami style" or sleek "Pixar renders."
• Isometric illustrations: These represent three-dimensional objects in two dimensions, like viewing a cube from a corner.
• Children's book style: Characterized by bright colors and simple lines, they convey innocence and wonder.
• Vector: These are clean, scalable graphics often used in digital designs. Imagine sharp edges and smooth curves.
• Comic: These capture action and emotion, often paired with text bubbles.
• Caricature: Exaggerated features for humorous or satirical impact.
• Movie poster: Dramatic, attention-grabbing visuals aiming to convey a film's essence at a glance.

Each modifier paints a unique narrative, helping you create the perfect illustration style you desire.

When utilizing AI tools for crafting 2D and 3D characters, the preciseness of prompts influences how realistic the characters appear.

To help these AI tools envision your ideal character:

• Layer the foundation with details: Start with broad descriptors like "ethereal female elf." Then, refine it, adding specifics such as them "grasping a luminous amulet." These nuances define the character's visual narrative.
• Breathe life with emotions: Without emotions, characters feel static. Enrich them with sentiments such as “the sunlit glow of happiness" or “the shadowed corners of sorrow," painting a psychological profile.
• Adorn with aesthetics: History is awash with artistic styles. Gift your characters with the elegance of "baroque," the grit of the "wild west," or the stark tones of "soviet wave." This not only shapes their appearance but embeds them in a cultural and temporal context.

In the vast world of AI design, subtle tweaks can produce drastically different outputs. Beyond character or art style, getting specific with technical terms helps AI tools zoom in on your vision.

Consider these pointers:

• Resolution modifiers: Using terms like HDR, UHD, 4K, 8K, or even 64K helps AI understand the clarity and detail you're after. It's like specifying the thread count when you buy bed sheets — the higher the number, the finer the output.
• Texture & detail modifiers: Words such as "studio lighting," "professional," or "highly detailed" guide AI to introduce more textures and meticulous details.
• Focus & ambiance modifiers: Using "bokeh" will instruct AI to blur the backdrop, spotlighting your main subject just as a portrait mode does on smartphones. Similarly, a "high-resolution scan" will give the image a historic or archival look.

Exploring community-generated images in AI design tools like MidJourney can be a game-changer for designers aiming to refine their AI-assisted workflows. By observing what peers are creating, designers can uncover the potential and versatility of AI-powered design. For instance, a designer might stumble upon a captivating underwater cityscape and realize the prompt incorporated specific lighting and mood keywords they hadn't considered.

Observing the nuances of successful prompts not only broadens one's design vocabulary but also fine-tunes the interaction with the AI tool. Moreover, learning from community images ensures designers remain updated with evolving AI capabilities and trends.