5 AI art prompt ideas to create better quality images for your business

You need images to add to your content. But rather than download the typical stock images that everyone else uses, you decide to build your own using an AI art generator. 

The problem: what it’s generating isn’t on par with what you expected. Rather than give up on using AI generated images, you can either learn to write better prompts or hire an AI prompt engineer. 

In this guide, we’ll discuss how AI art generators work, what AI prompt engineers do, and how you can get the best quality image outputs to save time and money while giving your business the creative edge.

The rise of AI generated art

AI generated art and AI writing are becoming the go-to tools for marketing, branding, and advertising. In fact, Watson’s IBM Global AI Adoption Index 2022 reports that 44% of organizations are working to embed AI into current applications and processes. A staggering 91% of blue-chip companies and leading organizations are actively investing in AI initiatives.

AI art generators help new and established businesses:

• Create a unique visual identity

• Stand out from the competition

• Generate more engagement across platforms

• Save valuable resources while doing so, which is particularly important for small businesses that need fast results 

To demonstrate, Jonah Peretti, CEO of the renowned news and entertainment platform, BuzzFeed, declared the future of content creation is AI-driven. In a staff memo he wrote:

“AI inspired content [will] move from an R&D stage to part of our core business... we see the breakthroughs in AI opening up a new era of creativity that will allow humans to harness creativity in new ways with endless opportunities and applications for good.” 

After this, BuzzFeed’s stock went up by a whopping 120%, signaling major global confidence in the technology.

But there’s a caveat: translating your AI prompt ideas into brilliant original outputs is no walk in the park. It’s a skill that needs to be mastered — so much so there's a new career being carved out for highly-skilled AI prompt engineers, including GPT-3 experts, DALL-E creatives, Stable Diffusion specialists, and Midjourney artists.

We asked Pablo Pietropinto, an AI art expert on Fiverr how long did it take him to master AI prompt writing for art generators and how did he do it?

To write a good prompt you need to:

1. Know artistic concepts.  I don't mean to be an art expert, but it is necessary to have a general knowledge of art, especially styles and techniques.

2. Study and learn all the parameters, such as lighting, types of cameras, color palettes, dimensionality and more.

3. Know how to describe objects, people or scenes.

Connect with seller

Looking to take advantage of AI art generators to create better quality visuals for your business? Then it’s time to learn the tricks of the trade to maximize AI’s full potential. 

In this article, we'll explore:

• AI art generation from the ground up

• How experts and SMBs use AI in their businesses

• Our top AI prompt ideas to get your creative juices flowing

What is AI-generated art?

AI image generators use artificial intelligence to create original visuals from scratch based on input data you give it. This can be anything from simple shapes and patterns to complex, lifelike depictions.

Hire AI Artists

How do you generate AI art? 

To generate an AI art, sign up for user-friendly platforms like Dall-e, Picsart, or Midjourney. Then input your desired text prompt into the generator to create a new image. Remember: the more detailed, specific, and creative your prompt is, the better the output.

What the Tech? How do AI art generators work?

AI-generated images were once the reserve of Hollywood films and high-end video games. Now, this technology is now accessible via photo editing apps, graphic design tools, social media sites, and content creation platforms. As AI art generators become more commonplace, the possibilities for creative expression and unique visuals are nearly endless. 

To explain how AI art are made, we first need to understand what GPT-3 is. While there are many explanations online, we went straight. ChatGPT, a leading chatbot developed by OpenAI, explains it as follows:

 “GPT-3 is an artificial intelligence language model. It's a computer program that uses deep learning to generate human-like text. It's trained on a large amount of text data and can respond to a wide range of questions, write articles and even code. GPT-3 is considered to be one of the most advanced language models to date and has the potential to revolutionize natural language processing.”  

OpenAI uses GPT-3.5's text-to-image capabilities to release DALL-E (now DALL-E 2) — a modified version of GPT-3 for create images from text inputs. DALL-E 2 uses a transformer architecture, similar to that of GPT-3, but is trained on a massive dataset of images and textual descriptions. With this training, DALL-E can generate diverse and high-quality images from textual descriptions, making it a powerful tool for creative applications in art and design.

Which is the best AI art generator?

There are many AI art generators available online. Each has a slightly different interface and workflow, so take time to explore them before settling on one. Some work on a credit system where you purchase credits per image and some work on a subscription basis where you pay a monthly subscription for unlimited images.

Some of the most popular AI art generators include:

• DALL-E

• Midjourney

• Bing Image Creator (Powered by DALL-E)

• Jasper Art

• Stable Diffusion’s DreamStudio

•  PromptHero

• DreamStudio

Some AI image generators are available as online demos, while others can be integrated into larger projects or used to train new models. Whichever you choose, the basic understanding is that AI turns textual descriptions (aka prompts) into pixels to form a detailed image. 

What is an AI art prompt engineer?

An AI image prompt engineer is a person who creates detailed input descriptions for AI art generators. Prompt engineers craft rich, detailed prompts to generate high-quality output images for various projects, including logos, book covers, blog photos, and product packaging. 

Pablo, an AI engineer on Fiverr recommend that businesses hire AI image prompt engineer for the following reasons:

"If you are an entrepreneur, you know that time is money so if you have to do a job with AI it is better to hire someone who already knows than to learn everything from scratch and do it yourself.  If you have time and you are not in a hurry you can surely do it and save some dollars as well as if you have time you can learn accounting, human resources, marketing and programming and do all the tasks of your company :) A person who is 100% dedicated to this will be able to offer you other solutions that can only be learned by studying full time and with constant practice. A professional will be able to bring you his experience to achieve faster and better quality results."

How to write an AI art prompt?

AI prompts come in different forms. Some AI art generators require a short sentence, while others need several sentences and instructions. Professional AI prompt engineers use their knowledge and creativity to craft detailed and imaginative descriptions that lead to more interesting, high-quality images.

To help you along, we put together a list of prompt keywords to write better prompts to achieve amazing outputs. 

Lighting prompt keywords

The following prompts can help you achieve different moods: 

• Cinematic lighting: For a more dramatic effect

• Soft lighting/softbox lighting: To create a softer and more subtle feel

• Dappled lighting: For a dreamy look that speaks to dappled sun rays

•  Bright lighting: For a lively and energetic feel

• Ambient lighting: For a more muted and subtle look

• Flat lighting: For a flatter and more even look

• Backlit: To add depth, contrast, and drama

•  Volumetric lighting: To create a mysterious atmosphere with beams of light

Some AI prompt engineers use the term “octane render” in their AI prompts, which references the photorealistic outputs from OctaneRender software. Below are example images using the same prompt “green juice bottle” but with different lighting keywords at the end. Image to the left shows cinematic lighting, image in the middle shows backlit, and image to the right shows dappled lighting:

Style and medium prompt keywords 

AI art generators mimic artistic styles and mediums, so if you're looking for a specific aesthetic in your photos, use the following keywords in your prompts:

• Hyperrealistic/ultrarealistic/photorealistic - add all three to see if it makes a difference

• Oil painting

• Watercolor painting

•  Expressionist painting

• Graffiti style

• Chalk drawing

•  Pencil sketch

• 3D render

• Abstract art

• Surrealism

•  Impressionism

• Japanese anime

• Pop art style

• Grunge style

Below are results are examples from using the following prompts (1) Expressionist painting of a tree; (2) Pencil sketch of a tree; (3) Photorealistic tree:

Some AI art generators, like Jasper Art, allow you to select an artist style to emulate, such as:

• Andy Warhol

• Ansel Adams

• Leonardo da Vinci

• Jackson Pollock

• Pablo Picasso

• Salvador Dali

If the AI art generator doesn't have a menu to select from, include the artist's name in your prompt by writing “in the style of [insert artist’s name]” to achieve the desired style.  

Color prompt keywords

The right color choices convey emotion and make your AI art stand out. Here are some words you can include in your prompts to invoke specific hues: 

•  Retro colors

•  Vivid colors

• Pastel colors

• Neon colors

• Earthy tones

• Primary colors

• Monochromatic colors 

• Jewel tones

Below are examples of the prompt “futuristic world” followed by (1) pastel colors; (2) neon colors; (3) monochromatic colors:

Landscape prompt keywords

If you have a specific environment or landscape in mind, it’s important to know how to communicate this with positive prompt inputs. Some of the landscape keywords you can use include: 

• Surreal landscape 

•  Unreal landscape (this might simulate an Unreal Engine 3D aesthetic)

• Fantasy landscape

• Sci-fi landscape 

• Desert landscape

• Tropical paradise 

• Rainforest scenery 

• Expansive mountain range 

• Cityscape

Below are examples of the prompt “young girl in” followed by (1) sci-fi landscape; (2) desert landscape; (3) cityscape:

Subject prompt keywords

If you're focusing on a specific subject in your AI art, state it in your prompt. For instance, if your subject is an animal, monument, building, tree, flower, vehicle, or sculpture, then state it (e.g., hawk, White House, rose, etc.).

However, if your subject is a person, remember that some AI art generators are better at producing human-like images than others. Hands and eyes have been notoriously difficult to replicate, and if you plan to generate the same character in multiple settings, it may take a few attempts to get the subject to look consistent in each output. AI image generators treat each prompt as an individual command without referencing the previous outputs. 

Some subject-related keywords you might use in a storybook include: 

• Fantasy creature 

• Mythological creature

• Saceship / space station

• Ancient temple

• Modern minimalist architecture

• Sophisticated robot

• Rose flower bouquet 

Here are helpful points to consider when writing AI art prompts for a portrait subject:  

• Age: Little girl, old man, young warrior, beautiful woman, majestic princess

• Ethnicity: African American, East Asian, Latinx, Indian, Middle Eastern

• Pose: Standing, running, jumping, dancing

• Expression: Smiling, shocked, surprised, angry, serious

• Clothing: Medieval dress, suit and tie, casual style, traditional costume, elegant dress

• Additional elements: Crown, wings, sword and shield, magical wand

You can also reference celebrities in your prompts if you're trying to replicate a certain look. For example: John Travolta, Cara Delevingne, Will Smith, Kate Winslet, Oprah Winfrey — but results may vary, since AI image generators today struggle to reach a consistent level of photorealism. 

Below, we’ve used age, ethnicity, pose, expression, and clothing keywords to generate the following detailed portraits:

Resolution and aspect ratio keywords

If you're looking for a specific resolution or format for your AI image, specify this in your prompt. Currently, the default output is HD with a 1:1 aspect ratio (square).  

If you want to produce an image of a different resolution, you can include keywords in your prompts such as:

•  Ultra photoreal

• Intricate details

• Photorealistic

• Ultra detailed

• 4K

• 8K

Only some AI image generators adjust aspect ratios and image parameters in your outputs, but platforms like Midjourney announced its latest version 4 will support an increased maximum aspect ratio to 2:1 or 1:2 — landscape and portrait. And that any aspect ratio from square to 2:1 is possible. If you want to create an aspect ratio other than a square output, you would need to add “ar” to the end of your prompt. 

For example, ar 16:9 or ar 1:2.

Note: Aspect ratios taller than 1:2 or wider than 2:1 aren’t supported for earlier versions of Midjourney. 

5 AI prompt ideas for creating captivating art for your business

Because we're focusing on how SMBs can use AI art to their advantage, we've engineered five AI prompt ideas to help your business stand out.  

The examples below are unedited outputs from the AI prompt ideas we provided. Hiring a professional freelance image editor to enhance these outputs is an excellent option if you desire bespoke content of outstanding quality.

For the examples below, we asked Albana, a designer and image editor on Fiverr to customize our AI art outputs into practical designs and we loved the results.

Kontakt mit Verkäufer aufnehmen

1. Cover art AI prompt ideas

 Want to self-publish a book or sell books on Amazon? Why not create AI-generated cover art instead of purchasing stock photos? This can also work for music album art or podcast cover art.

Try this AI prompt idea to create a book cover for a fantasy book:  

Midjourney Prompt:A magical fantasy forest with a unicorn standing in the center, vivid colors, illuminated by moonlight, surrounded by a rainbow aura, unreal engine, 8k, highly intricate:

We also added the following specifications in the dropdown fields that Jasper Art provides:

• Mood: Whimsical

• Medium: Mixed Media

• Keywords: Ambient Light

With Albana's help , we turned this AI art into a book cover in seconds, and here are the results:

2. Website image AI prompt ideas

If you’re a solopreneur designing a business website, use AI image generators to create captivating banners, headers, and backgrounds for your homepage design.

Try this AI prompt idea to create AI images for a tech-related or cybersecurity website banner:  

Midjourney Prompt:A futuristic space station orbiting a planet, a sophisticated robot in the foreground, jewel tones, cinematic lighting, photorealistic, ultra photoreal, 8k

Jasper Art Prompt:A futuristic space station orbiting a planet, a sophisticated robot in the foreground, jewel tones, cinematic lighting, photorealistic, ultra photoreal, 8k. We also added the following specifications in the dropdown fields that Jasper Art provides:

• Mood: Exciting 

• Medium: Photography

• Keywords: Photorealistic

• Style: Realism

We also added the following specifications in the dropdown fields that Jasper Art provides:

• Mood: Exciting 

• Medium: Photography

• Keywords: Photorealistic

• Style: Realism

Again, we customized our designs and turned them into a website banner and these were the results:

3. Social media post AI prompt ideas

Those using social media to monetize Instagram  or other visually-oriented platforms can use AI image generators to create high-quality, original images to boost engagement.

Try this AI prompt idea to create travel-related Instagram images: 

Midjourney Prompt:A beachfront paradise, tropical terrain, holiday resort, sun flare, tropical colors, landscape photography, beautiful landscape, ultra-detailed, vibrant scenery, photorealistic, hyperrealistic:

Jasper Art Prompt:A beachfront paradise, tropical terrain, holiday resort, sunflare, tropical colors, landscape photography, beautiful landscape, ultra detailed, vibrant scenery, photorealistic, hyperrealistic

We added no extra inputs for this one to show what the results can look like if you leave the extra fields blank

We then turned this AI art into an Instagram post and here's what we got: 

4. Blog image AI prompt ideas

If you have a blogging business or aspire to be a blogger, you likely know that images placed strategically throughout your post help readability, engagement, and Search Engine Optimization.

Creating original images for your articles is essential to a successful content marketing strategy.

Try this AI prompt idea to create a blog article image for a blog about the benefits of following an organic diet:

Midjourney Prompt:A busy kitchen, homemade food, seasonal ingredients, warm lighting, natural colors, high-resolution textures, ultra-detailed, photorealistic, 8k, octane render:

Jasper Art Prompt:A busy kitchen, homemade food, seasonal ingredients, warm lighting, natural colors, high-resolution textures, ultra-detailed, photorealistic, 8k, octane render 

We also added the following specifications in the dropdown fields that Jasper Art provides:

• Mood: Happy 

• Medium: Photography

• Keywords: Photorealistic

• Style: Digital

We used some of the additional original outputs from Jasper Art to show what a blog post mockup could look like using only AI images:

5. Paid ads AI prompt ideas

 With the power of AI image generators, you quickly create images for Paid Ads as part of your digital marketing strategy. If you want to promote your business online but lack the manpower or budget to create compelling images, AI images might just be the answer.

 Try this AI prompt idea to create a Paid Ad AI image for an architectural firm:

Midjourney Prompt:A modern skyscraper, urban cityscape, contemporary architecture inspired by nature, abstract shapes, ultra photorealistic, bright lighting, photorealistic 3D rendering, 8k:

Jasper Art Prompt:A modern skyscraper, urban cityscape, contemporary architecture inspired by nature, ultra photorealistic, bright lighting, photorealistic 3D rendering, 8k.

We removed the keyword 'abstract shapes' as this seemed to be resulting in poor outputs but we added the following specifications in the dropdown fields that Jasper Art provides:

• Mood: Happy 

• Medium: Photography

• Keywords: Photorealistic

• Style: Digital

We then customized our results again , and came up with a high-converting Facebook Ad in minutes:

How to make your AI prompts better?

To make your AI prompts better, be as specific and descriptive as possible. Keep your prompts simple, but use enough detail, so the AI image generator can produce an accurate image. Make sure to add adjectives, such as moods, styles, lighting, colors, and resolution.

Top 5 tips for advanced AI image prompts

• Chaos: Reduce the level of abstraction in your Midjourney AI image by using the prompt — chaos [insert number from 0 to 100].

•  Input image: Upload a source image to some AI generators to use as a basis for the output image.

•  Upscaling: Upscale your AI images to a higher resolution and add more detail by using the upscale command.

•  Use seed numbers:Use seed numbers to generate new outputs with the same settings and image parameters.

• Keep a prompt library: Keep a library of AI prompts with keywords under each element and use them over time to generate consistent outputs. 

Of course, you can always hire a Fiverr AI prompt writer to do it for you.

How can businesses use AI-generated images?

As we've shown, AI-generated images can be used for various business purposes from creating Paid Ads to blog post images. AI-generated images are also increasing in popularity for social media visuals, web design elements, infographics, email marketing visuals, and more. 

Of course, there's always the question of Google's algorithm and where AI art fits in. Well, the answer to that is there's no beef. Google recently announced it's launching its own AI technology. 

Google's CEO, Sundar Pichai, stated "We’ve been working on an experimental conversational AI service, powered by LaMDA, that we’re calling Bard. And today, we’re taking another step forward by opening it up to trusted testers ahead of making it more widely available to the public in the coming weeks." 

Jaden Oh, Director of Search at TRAFFV SEO Agency believes Using AI image generators allowed him to save time and money. 

"It also opened new creative avenues as we're able to generate more unique and visually appealing images," says Oh. "We believe AI image generators are a great tool for businesses to utilize, and we would advise other business leaders to consider using them.”

Are AI image generators ethical? 

There's yet to be a consensus on the ethics of AI image generators. On one hand, they're completely original outputs. On the other, AI image generators are said to contain a certain level of bias due to their human programming. Proper licensing of AI-generated images must be ensured to use the images ethically. 

Diving deeper into the ethics involved in AI images 

The disclaimer on Open AI’s ChatGPT clearly reads “While we have safeguards in place, the system may occasionally generate incorrect or misleading information and produce offensive or biased content.” 

This highlights the ethical responsibility that companies must have when using AI image generators. 

Though this technology can be used to generate powerful, unique visuals, use must be monitored to ensure ethical outcomes.

 David Reischer, Intellectual Property Attorney & CEO of LegalAdvice.com explains, "The legal implications of AI-generated art are complex and must be carefully considered to ensure all parties involved are adequately protected. From protecting intellectual property to ethical considerations, businesses and creators must be cognizant of the complexities of AI when creating artwork." 

He goes on to note that copyright law doesn't typically account for the complexity of AI. What this means: it isn’t always clear who owns the copyright to an AI-created image. 

Generally, the person who created the AI system, or the company that funded its development will own the copyright. However, if the AI system was developed as part of an employee’s job, then the employer may own the copyright. 

Companies must ensure they properly licensed any images they produce using the technology and that they're aware of potential legal risks associated with using AI-generated art.  

The Benefits of using AI prompt engineers to create premium quality outputs

Whether you started an online business from home or are a fast-growing enterprise, using AI image generators can help elevate your brand in a cost- and time-efficient way. But overcoming the learning curve of AI prompt engineering can be a challenging and lengthy process, costing you valuable time and resources along the way.

A virtual assistant or social media manager can be extremely helpful with operations and management, but they can only get you so far. Working with Fiverr's AI prompt engineers is one of the most efficient ways to create superior-quality AI images without the learning curve. AI prompt engineers are experts who can create premium quality outputs quickly and consistently. 

How to find freelance AI prompt engineers today (and within budget)

Finding specialized AI prompt engineers on professional freelance platforms like Fiverr is as simple as a few clicks. Sign up to browse a range of AI prompt engineers and compare their portfolios, reviews, turnaround times, fees, and packages.

If you're looking to manage a team of freelancers for a specific project, use Fiverr to assemble your ultimate dream team and manage them from one central hub. You can select experts in prompt engineering for a specific AI generator, such as Midjourney prompt engineers. Or browse through the entire category of AI artists to find a professional freelancer that best suits your project.

Sign up to Fiverr today to find qualified and experienced AI prompt engineers to bring your visual business projects to life.