A prompt is a production spec

For text generation, a prompt tells the model what to say. For image generation, a prompt tells the model what to compose. That means you must think like a photographer, designer, and teacher at the same time.

A strong image prompt usually includes:

• Asset type: course cover, hero, diagram, thumbnail, slide visual.
• Subject: the main object, person, scene, or metaphor.
• Context: where the subject exists.
• Style/medium: illustration, photo, 3D, diagram, sketch.
• Composition: close-up, wide, centered, top-down, negative space.
• Lighting/mood: calm, bright, dramatic, soft, clinical.
• Palette: brand colors and contrast.
• Constraints: no text, no logos, no watermark, no extra people.

Use constraints actively

Many image problems happen because you did not say what to avoid. If you do not want fake screens, readable text, logos, extra fingers, or clutter, say so.

Useful constraints:

• No readable text unless specified.
• No logos or brand marks.
• No watermarks.
• No distorted UI.
• No photorealistic human faces if identity is irrelevant.
• Keep the subject isolated and easy to crop.

Prompt pattern

Use case: scientific-educational
Asset type: lesson illustration
Primary request: [what the image should show]
Scene/backdrop: [where it is]
Subject: [main objects]
Style/medium: [visual style]
Composition/framing: [layout]
Lighting/mood: [feeling]
Color palette: [brand/style colors]
Constraints: [must include / must avoid]

Image generation brief

Asset: Prompt anatomy infographic Prompt: Create a clean educational infographic showing an image prompt as a stack of labeled cards: Asset type, Subject, Context, Style, Composition, Palette, Constraints. Minimal modern design, monochrome with tonal contrast for emphasis, clear spacing, no tiny text beyond those exact labels, no logos, no watermark. Alt text: A stacked-card infographic showing the main ingredients of a reliable image prompt.

Try this: Rewrite one vague prompt into the structured pattern above, then compare the results.