Turning what’s in your head into a real image, using only text ⓒ Unsplash
The prompt formula for AI image generation, with real-world use cases.
For anyone with a clear image in their head but zero drawing skill, AI image generation is a genuine game-changer. The catch: a lazy prompt gets you something wildly different from what you pictured. Here’s the formula for prompts that actually deliver, backed by real examples.
1. The Anatomy of a Good Image Prompt
① Subject — what’s actually in the image (person, object, scene)
② Style — photorealistic, illustration, watercolor, 3D render, etc.
③ Composition/Angle — close-up, wide shot, bird’s-eye view, etc.
④ Lighting/Mood — warm lighting, moody and dark, natural daylight, etc.
⑤ Detail — color palette, texture, background elements
2. Real-World Case: Creating a Blog Thumbnail
A travel blogger needed a thumbnail for a post about “winter travel in Jeju Island” but was struggling to find a copyright-free stock photo that matched the mood. Using the prompt “Jeju Island winter coastline, waves crashing on black basalt rocks, overcast sky, warm-toned photography style, wide angle,” they generated exactly the atmosphere they had in mind — without any licensing worries.
3. Real-World Case: Creating a Concept Graphic for a Pitch Deck
A startup founder needed a visual to represent “growth trajectory” for an investor pitch deck. With the prompt “minimalist infographic style, rocket icon above an ascending graph, pastel background, clean flat design,” they got a presentation-ready concept graphic instantly — no designer required for a last-minute deck revision.
4. Prompt Examples You Can Adapt
“Warm afternoon sunlight streaming through a cafe window, coffee cup and laptop, photorealistic style, natural light, cozy atmosphere”
“Minimalist logo design, leaf shape, green and white color combination, flat vector style”
“Illustration symbolizing teamwork, multiple people holding hands together, pastel tones, simple flat design”
5. Fixing Results That Miss the Mark
| Problem | Fix |
|---|---|
| Style doesn’t match what you wanted | Be more specific with style keywords: “photorealistic,” “in an illustrated style,” etc. |
| Composition looks off | Explicitly state the angle: “wide shot,” “close-up,” “front-facing” |
| Colors aren’t right | Specify a precise color palette or tone (pastel, vivid, etc.) |
| Text renders oddly in the image | Image generators often struggle with text rendering — add text separately with editing software instead |
6. Copyright Considerations You Should Know
✔ Commercial usage rights and licensing terms vary between services — always check the terms of service before commercial use
✔ Prompts attempting to recreate specific real people or well-known copyrighted characters can raise copyright and publicity rights issues
✔ For anything used as a brand logo or important commercial asset, separately verify there’s no trademark conflict
7. A Practical Workflow to Follow
1️⃣ Build your prompt using the five elements: subject, style, composition, lighting, detail
2️⃣ Generate multiple options and pick your favorite
3️⃣ Identify what’s off and refine the prompt, then regenerate
4️⃣ Check the service’s licensing terms before using the final image
A complete guide to AI video generation, with real-world applications.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Can I generate AI images for free?
Many services offer a limited free usage tier. Check the official website of the specific service you’re using for exact free allowances and paid plan details.
Q. Can AI generate images with text embedded in them?
Image generators frequently struggle with rendering accurate text within images. If text matters, it’s usually more reliable to generate the image first and then add text separately using an editing tool.
Q. Can I use generated images commercially?
This depends entirely on the specific service and plan you’re using. Always check the current terms of service for the platform before using generated images commercially.