Welcome to the polishing phase of AI image creation! If you’ve ever had an AI-generated image that was almost perfect but needed a little something extra—maybe a brighter sky, a different composition, or a fresh style—you’re in the right place. In this lesson, we’ll explore how small, targeted tweaks can elevate your AI outputs from good to truly spectacular.
Sometimes all that’s needed is a precise prompt tweak. Here are a few ways to shape your existing images without reinventing the wheel. Imagine you’re creating a visual identity for a new coffee shop: you’ve got a decent logo from the AI, but the colors don’t quite match the cozy, welcoming vibe. That’s where these refinements come in:
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Targeting Specific Elements
– Example Prompt: “Update the existing logo by changing the background color to warm beige and adding a softer typeface.”
– Rationale: Identifies exactly what needs to change (color and typography) and ensures the AI focuses on those elements without altering the rest. -
Expanding or Shifting the Composition
– Example Prompt: “Extend the forest scene to the left, adding more trees that match the current style.”
– Rationale: Clarifies the direction of expansion and keeps the look and feel consistent—useful for branding assets that need to align with a particular layout. -
Shifting Overall Style
– Example Prompt: “Transform the current landscape into a Van Gogh-inspired painting with bold brushstrokes.”
– Rationale: Specifies a cohesive reference style, guiding the AI to reinterpret the entire image. This can help unify brand visuals under a single artistic theme.
Putting the right parameters into your prompts can make or break your final image. Below is a quick reference guide that shows why each parameter matters for consistency and visual impact:
| Parameter | How to Incorporate It in Prompts | When to Emphasize It |
|---|---|---|
| Clarity of Description | Provide direct, unambiguous instructions to tighten creative focus | When the design must match a specific theme or concept |
| Level of Detail | Include descriptive words for textures, colors, or patterns | When seeking more intricate visuals (e.g., ornate jewelry) |
| Style Reference | Mention an artistic movement or look (e.g., “cartoon style,” “modern”) | When bold stylization or brand consistency is needed |
| Composition Notes | Specify layout or ratio (e.g., “square format”) | When matching particular usage requirements |
For instance, you might say:
“Create a corporate logo with a minimal color palette, a clean, modern style, and balanced symmetry.”
Here, “clarity of description” directs the AI to keep the design simple and focused, “level of detail” ensures the minimal color palette is clearly defined, “style reference” emphasizes a modern look, and “composition notes” call for balanced symmetry. If the result feels too busy, simplify by removing extra style references or overly detailed requests. This approach helps preserve the core idea while ensuring the image aligns with your brand or intended look.
Once you’re comfortable refining single images, try merging multiple AI outputs. This step is especially useful if you want a richer, more layered scene—such as combining a product photo with a branded background—or ensuring consistent style across different elements.
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Layering
– Prompt 1: “Generate a pirate ship in a stormy sea, oil painting style.”
– Prompt 2: “Generate a giant kraken rising from a stormy sea, in the same style.”
– Merge Request: “Combine the pirate ship and kraken into one scene, keeping the stormy atmosphere and consistent oil painting style.”
– Why It Works: Layering adds excitement and depth, while maintaining a cohesive aesthetic. This can also unify multiple brand elements to tell a richer story.
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Masking
– Prompt: “Give the spaceship a metallic surface, preserving its current color scheme.”
– Rationale: Focuses on adjusting only the spaceship’s surface appearance without changing its original palette. This helps you preserve what you love about your image while making targeted improvements—ideal if a brand or client wants only subtle changes. -
Style Transfer
– Prompt: “Apply the painterly feel from my existing forest image to a new dragon illustration, so both match visually.”
– Rationale: References a previously defined aesthetic, allowing you to seamlessly unite different images under one cohesive style. This is perfect for multi-piece campaigns where every visual needs a consistent look.
Whether you’re perfecting a brand logo, crafting fantasy environments, or simply refining a personal project, these prompts and techniques give you the flexibility to guide AI with confidence. Every small tweak—whether it’s a color shift, style update, or composition change—brings you closer to creating images that look and feel exactly the way you want.
Time to refine your image generation skills—let’s practice!