Writing a Good AI Image Prompt Isn't Hard, but You Need These Essential Elements
Key Points
- Include characters, setting, and dimensions in every prompt.
- Specify style (e.g., photorealistic, cartoon) and color palette.
- Describe desired aesthetic, vibe, or emotion for deeper guidance.
- Avoid exclusionary language; edit unwanted elements later.
- Adjust prompts or reset settings when results are unsatisfactory.
- Post‑generation tools vary: Adobe Firefly and Leonardo offer robust options, Canva is limited.
- AI generators are aids, not replacements, for human creativity.
Creating effective prompts for AI image generators requires a clear description of subjects, setting, dimensions, style, and mood. Testing across platforms such as Google’s model, Midjourney, DALL‑E, Adobe Firefly, Leonardo, and Canva shows that a well‑structured prompt reduces unwanted artifacts and improves output quality. Prompt engineering involves specifying characters, location, aspect ratio, color palette, aesthetic, and emotional tone while avoiding exclusionary language that may be ignored. When results are unsatisfactory, tweaking the prompt or resetting settings can help, but the tools remain aids rather than replacements for human creativity.
Core Components of an Effective Prompt
Across multiple AI image generators, the most reliable way to achieve the desired visual result is to include three fundamental elements: the characters or objects in the scene, the setting where the scene takes place, and the dimensions such as portrait or landscape ratios. Providing these basics gives the model a clear framework to work within.
Styling, Color, and Aesthetic Guidance
Beyond the basics, specifying the visual style—photorealistic, stock photography, product‑focused, cartoon, illustration, gaming UI, or others—helps steer the output toward the intended look. Including color preferences, whether warm or cool tones, further refines the result. Describing the overall aesthetic, vibe, or emotion—such as abstract, medieval, retro, psychedelic, noir, or futuristic—adds another layer of direction, allowing the model to capture the intended mood.
Avoiding Counterproductive Language
Prompt writers are cautioned against using exclusionary language (e.g., “without X”) because many generators either ignore such instructions or misinterpret them, potentially inserting the very element the user wants to avoid. It is often more effective to handle unwanted details during post‑generation editing rather than within the initial prompt.
Troubleshooting Unsatisfactory Results
Even with a well‑crafted prompt, AI image generators can produce subpar images. Common remedies include minor prompt adjustments, altering dimensions, or resetting the model’s settings to default. Some platforms—Adobe Firefly, Leonardo, Midjourney, and Canva—offer varying degrees of post‑generation editing tools to correct small errors. When problems persist, starting over with a fresh prompt may be the most efficient solution.
Practical Insights from Platform Testing
Testing across Google’s nano‑bananas model, Midjourney, DALL‑E, Adobe Firefly, Leonardo, and Canva revealed that each service handles prompts differently, with varying levels of style adherence and editing capabilities. Leonardo provides the most extensive prompt controls, Midjourney offers an average set, while Canva supplies the fewest editing options. The overall consensus is that AI image generators serve as powerful aids, but users must invest time to understand each tool’s nuances to achieve professional‑grade results.