Image Generation with AI
Knowledge
Creating Images from Text
AI image generation has developed into a powerful tool for design, marketing, concept development, and creative projects. From a text description, images are created in seconds that previously would have required hours of professional work.
iAs of: May 2026
The image generation landscape is changing rapidly. The principles and prompting techniques described here remain relevant, but specific tool capabilities may have changed.
Prompting for Images
Effective image prompting differs significantly from text prompting. While text prompts are often conversational, image prompts work more like visual descriptions with specific parameters.
The Five Elements of a Good Image Prompt:
- Subject: What is visible in the image? (Person, object, scene)
- Style: Photography, illustration, watercolor, 3D rendering, pixel art?
- Environment: Where does the scene take place? (Interior, landscape, abstract)
- Mood: What atmosphere? (Warm, cold, dramatic, peaceful)
- Technical Details: Lighting, camera angle, color palette, resolution
Example Prompts Compared:
| Quality | Prompt | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Weak | "An office" | Generic, boring office image |
| Medium | "A modern office with large windows" | Better result, but still unspecific |
| Strong | "A minimalist office with floor-to-ceiling windows, view of a city skyline at sunset, warm light, Scandinavian design style, architectural photography" | Targeted, aesthetic result |
Style Directions and Their Description
AI image generators can reproduce a wide variety of styles. Choosing the right style depends on the intended use:
- Photorealism: For marketing material, product visualization, mockups. Prompt terms: "photograph", "photorealistic", "DSLR", "35mm"
- Illustration: For blog posts, presentations, social media. Prompt terms: "digital illustration", "flat design", "vector style"
- Concept Art: For idea development, storyboards, game design. Prompt terms: "concept art", "matte painting", "cinematic"
- Abstract/Artistic: For branding, backgrounds, creative projects. Prompt terms: "watercolor", "oil painting", "abstract"
*Negative Prompts
Many image generators support negative prompts -- descriptions of what should NOT appear in the image. Example: "no people, no text, no watermarks." This can significantly improve results.
Limitations of Image Generation
Despite impressive advances, AI image generation has clear limitations:
- Text in images: Text rendering has improved significantly. DALL-E 3 and Flux reliably render short texts (1-3 words); longer texts are still problematic
- Consistency: Depicting the same character consistently across different scenes is difficult
- Anatomical details: Hand rendering has improved significantly, but can still show errors in complex poses
- Spatial logic: Complex spatial relationships ("the cup is to the left of the book on the table") are not always implemented correctly
- Countability: "Exactly three apples" may result in two, four, or five apples
!Copyright Questions
The legal situation for AI-generated images is not yet settled. In many jurisdictions, purely AI-generated images have no copyright protection. For commercial use, you should review the terms of service of the respective tool and the applicable legal framework.
Understanding
Image Generation Workflow
Click a step to see details
When AI Images Make Sense -- and When They Don't
AI image generation is particularly suitable for:
- Concept phase: Quick visualization of ideas before professional design begins
- Social media: Illustrations for posts that don't require perfect quality
- Presentations: Mood images and illustrations as visual support
- Prototypes: Mockups and wireframes with visual placeholders
AI image generation is less suitable for:
- Brand identity: Logos and corporate design require precise control and consistency
- Product photos: Real product photos are more authentic and legally safer
- Complex infographics: Precise data visualization requires specialized tools
Application
Create three images with the same motif but in different styles: once photorealistic, once as an illustration, and once as a watercolor. Pay attention to how you need to adapt the prompt for each style. Note which prompt elements have the greatest influence on the result.
Reflection
Image generation with AI is a powerful tool for quick visualization and creative exploration. The art lies in prompting -- the better you can describe what you want to see, the better the results. In the next section, we'll look at how AI can also help with video creation.