Chapter 1. Introduction to AI image prompting

AI image generation is reshaping how we create visual content, but making the most of these tools starts with a clear understanding of how they work and how to use them effectively. This chapter introduces five core topics that form the foundation of this creative process.

We begin with the fundamentals of AI image generation, explaining how text-to-image models interpret your words to produce visual outputs. You’ll learn the difference between traditional image creation and AI-driven workflows, and what makes this new approach uniquely powerful for rapid visual exploration.

Next, we walk through choosing the right AI image generation service. Not all platforms are built the same—some offer better quality, others offer more control or faster results. This section outlines how to evaluate different services based on your creative goals, technical preferences, and output needs.

In AI image use cases and image sizes, we look at how people are using AI images across different fields—from social media and product mockups to books and digital interfaces. You’ll also learn how to match image sizes and aspect ratios to their intended format, whether it’s a web banner or a mobile app screen.

To help you shape what the AI produces, we explore the anatomy of AI prompts. This framework breaks a prompt into six key components: image theme, structure and layout, artistic style, camera angle or perspective, lighting and atmosphere, and color and texture. Understanding these lets you write prompts with greater precision and intent.

Finally, we compare inspirational prompting vs. descriptive prompting. Inspirational prompts encourage open-ended, atmospheric results, ideal for moodboards and idea discovery. Descriptive prompts, by contrast, give you tighter control over structure and content—useful when you’re aiming for specific, reproducible visuals.