AI Image Generation Prompt Framework

A structured framework for writing effective AI image generation prompts — covering subject, style, mood, technical parameters, and explicit exclusions to produce on-brief, usable outputs.

Syntax

graphic-designer-ai
Subject: [Who/what is in the image? Specific objects, people, actions, relationships]

Style reference: [Visual language — "editorial photography", "minimalist flat design", "cinematic still", "vintage risograph"]

Mood and tone: [Emotional quality — "clean and aspirational", "gritty and authentic", "warm and approachable"]

Technical parameters:
- Aspect ratio: [16:9 / 4:5 / 1:1 / etc.]
- Lighting: [direction, quality, color temperature]
- Camera perspective: [angle, distance, lens character]
- Color palette: [specific constraints]

Negative prompts: [What to explicitly exclude — "no text, no watermarks, no cartoon style"]

Example

graphic-designer-ai
Subject: A woman in her 30s working at a standing desk in a bright, minimal home office. She is focused and candid — not performing for the camera.

Style: Lifestyle photography, editorial magazine quality.

Mood: Productive, calm, aspirational but real.

Technical:
- Aspect ratio: 16:9
- Lighting: Natural window light from the left, slightly warm, slightly overexposed
- Palette: Warm whites, cream, muted sage green
- Composition: Space in upper right for text overlay

Negative: No text in image, no generic stock photography aesthetics, no direct camera gaze, no corporate environments.

--ar 16:9 --style raw --chaos 10