AI
Everyday AI
4
Intermediate
45 minutes

Images, Audio & Video

Generate and edit visual and audio content with AI

MediaCreativeTools

What You'll Learn

  • How image generation AI works differently from text AI
  • The Subject + Style + Composition + Mood prompt structure
  • Tools for images (Midjourney, DALL-E, Stable Diffusion)
  • Basics of AI audio and video tools
  • Iterative refinement for visual outputs

Key Ideas

Image Prompt Structure

Effective image prompts include: (1) Subject (what/who), (2) Style (photorealistic, watercolor, 3D), (3) Composition (close-up, wide angle), (4) Mood/lighting (dramatic, soft, vibrant). Be specific but leave room for AI creativity.

Examples:

  • Subject: 'A mountain landscape at sunset'
  • Style: 'in the style of a Japanese watercolor painting'
  • Composition: 'wide panoramic view'
  • Mood: 'serene and peaceful, soft pink and orange tones'
Iteration is Essential for Images

Unlike text, you can't 'edit' an AI image directly. Generate multiple variations, identify what works, and refine your prompt. Use image seeds or variations features to build on good results.

Examples:

  • Generate 4 variations to see different interpretations
  • Pick the best and use 'vary' features to refine
  • Adjust specific elements: 'same image but make it daytime'
Choosing the Right Media AI Tool

Different tools have different strengths. Midjourney excels at artistic images, DALL-E for precise control, Runway for video editing, and ElevenLabs for voice. Match the tool to your need.

Suggested Resources

Generative AI for Beginners

Microsoft

Course
Midjourney Documentation

Midjourney

Article

Try This Now

Put your learning into practice with these hands-on exercises. Copy the prompts and try them in your favorite AI tool.

Exercise 1: Create a Concept Poster
Generate an image for a fictional event or product using the full prompt structure.
15 minutes

A vintage-style concert poster, subject: jazz band performing in a smoky club, style: 1960s screen print aesthetic with bold colors, composition: centered design with text space at top and bottom, mood: energetic and nostalgic

Exercise 2: Icon Generation
Practice creating simple, useful graphics like app icons or logos.
10 minutes

A minimalist app icon for a meditation app, style: flat design with clean lines, composition: single centered element, colors: calming blues and greens, mood: peaceful and modern

Exercise 3: Iterative Refinement
Start with a basic prompt and refine it through 3 iterations.
15 minutes

Start: 'A robot in a library.' Then refine: 'A friendly humanoid robot organizing books in a cozy library.' Then refine again: 'A friendly white and blue humanoid robot carefully organizing colorful books on wooden shelves in a cozy library with warm lighting, digital art style, detailed, welcoming atmosphere.'

Reflection Questions

Take a moment to reflect on what you've learned
  • 1.What was most surprising about the image generation process?
  • 2.How might you use AI-generated images in your work or projects?
  • 3.What ethical considerations should you keep in mind when using AI-generated media?
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