Prompt Templates for Midjourney
Midjourney represents a paradigm shift in how we approach visual branding and marketing. As an AI-powered text-to-image platform, it enables brands to generate unique, high-quality visuals simply by describing what they want to create. This capability is revolutionizing how we conceptualize, prototype, and produce visual content for marketing campaigns, brand identities, and social media presence.
Why Midjourney Matters
For branding and marketing professionals, Midjourney offers unprecedented advantages:
Rapid Prototyping
Test multiple visual concepts quickly
Iterate on designs in real-time
Explore diverse stylistic approaches
Generate mood boards efficiently
Cost-Effective Creation
Reduce reliance on stock photography
Minimize initial design costs
Generate custom illustrations on demand
Create unique visual assets rapidly
Creative Flexibility
Adapt styles instantly
Maintain brand consistency
Generate campaign variations
Explore new visual directions
Real-World Applications
Brand Identity Development
- Logo concept exploration
- Visual style guide creation
- Brand character development
- Marketing collateral design
Marketing Campaigns
- Social media content
- Advertisement visuals
- Product photography concepts
- Event marketing materials
Through this article, we'll explore practical techniques for leveraging Midjourney's capabilities to enhance your brand's visual communication. Whether you're a seasoned creative director or a marketing professional new to AI tools, you'll discover how to integrate this powerful platform into your creative workflow.
Understanding the Discord-Midjourney Connection
Unlike traditional design software, Midjourney operates primarily through Discord, a communication platform originally built for gamers. This unique setup might seem unusual at first, but it creates a dynamic, community-driven environment that enhances the creative process.
What is Discord?
Discord is a real-time messaging and community platform that combines:
Setting Up Your Workspace
Step-by-Step Guide
Visit: Discord.com
Options:
- Sign up with email
- Use existing Google account
- Use existing Apple ID
Two Methods:
a) Through Midjourney website:
- Visit Midjourney.com
- Click "Join the Beta"
- Follow Discord authorization prompts
b) Through invite link:
- Use provided Midjourney invite
- Accept server invitation
Pro Tips for Discord Usage
Essential Commands:
- /imagine: Create new images
- /info: Check subscription status
- /help: Access command list
- /fast: Toggle fast mode
Understanding Discord's Benefits
The /imagine Command: Your Gateway to AI Image Creation
Understanding /imagine
The /imagine command is your primary tool for creating images in Midjourney. Think of it as having a conversation with an AI artist – the clearer and more specific your instructions, the better the results.
Basic Syntax
/imagine prompt: [your description]
Example:
/imagine prompt: a modern logo for a coffee shop, minimalist style, clean lines
Anatomy of a Good Prompt
Core Elements
Parameter Flags
Common Parameters:
--ar [ratio] (Aspect ratio: 1:1, 16:9, etc.)
--q [1-5] (Quality level)
--s [0-1000] (Stylization amount)
--c [0-100] (Chaos/variation)
Example:
/imagine prompt: professional headshot, business attire, natural lighting --ar 4:5 --q 2
Practical Examples
For Branding
Logo Design:
/imagine prompt: minimalist tech startup logo, abstract geometric shapes, blue and white palette, vector style --ar 1:1
Product Photography:
/imagine prompt: luxury watch on marble surface, dramatic lighting, product photography style, shallow depth of field --ar 4:5 --q 2
For Marketing
Social Media:
/imagine prompt: lifestyle photo of healthy breakfast bowl, morning sunlight, instagram style photography --ar 1:1
Advertisement:
/imagine prompt: eco-friendly packaging, natural materials, soft earthy colors, commercial photography --ar 16:9
Pro Tips
The /describe Command: Reverse-Engineering Image Prompts
The /describe command is a powerful learning tool that helps you understand how Midjourney "sees" images. By uploading an image and using this command, you'll receive potential prompts that could create similar images.
Basic Usage
1. Upload an image to Discord
2. Use /describe command with the image
3. Receive 4 different prompt variations
4. Use these prompts with /imagine to create similar images
Learning from /describe
Understanding Components
Practical Applications
For Brand Analysis
Use /describe to:
- Analyze competitor visuals
- Understand successful styles
- Decode effective compositions
- Learn industry-specific terminology
For Style Matching
Steps:
1. Upload reference image
2. Get prompt descriptions
3. Modify prompts for your needs
4. Create matching visuals
Pro Tips
Common Applications
- Reference matching
- Style analysis
- Brand consistency
- Technique learning
The /shorten Command: Streamlining Your Prompts
The /shorten command helps simplify long, complex prompts while maintaining their essential elements. This tool is invaluable for understanding which aspects of your prompts are most impactful.
How It Works
1. Start with a detailed prompt
2. Use /shorten command
3. Receive multiple shortened versions
4. Compare effectiveness
Practical Application
Example Process:
Original Prompt:
"a professional corporate office interior with modern furniture, natural lighting through large windows, minimalist design aesthetic, warm color palette, wide angle view, architectural photography style"
Shortened Versions:
1. "modern corporate office, natural light, minimalist design, architectural photo"
2. "minimalist office interior, warm tones, wide angle"
3. "professional office space, modern aesthetic"
Benefits of Shortened Prompts
Best Practices
When to Use /shorten
Perfect for:
- Testing core concepts
- Quick iterations
- Learning what works
- Streamlining workflow
When to Keep Detail
Maintain longer prompts for:
- Complex scenes
- Specific brand requirements
- Detailed technical needs
- Precise style matching
Pro Tips
The Art of Prompt Efficiency: Why Less Can Be More
When crafting prompts for Midjourney, it's crucial to understand that more words don't necessarily mean better results. Like a crowded room where too many voices make it hard to hear the important ones, overly complex prompts can cause the AI to focus inconsistently on different elements.
The Problem with Verbose Prompts
Example of an Overcrowded Prompt:
"a sleek modern minimalist tech startup office space with natural bamboo furniture and floor-to-ceiling windows, bathed in warm morning sunlight, with employees working collaboratively, featuring clean lines and a Scandinavian design aesthetic, with indoor plants and geometric art pieces on the walls"
Issues:
- Competing focal points
- Inconsistent interpretation
- Unpredictable emphasis
- Variable results
Building Stable Prompts
The Essential Elements Approach
Refined Version:
"minimalist tech office, natural light, Scandinavian design"
Benefits:
- Clear primary focus
- Consistent interpretation
- Reliable results
- Faster generation
Example Transformations
Verbose:
"luxury leather wallet photographed on a marble surface with professional studio lighting, showing fine stitching details and premium craftsmanship, with subtle shadows and reflections, brand logo visible, commercial photography style"
Stable:
"luxury leather wallet, marble surface, studio lighting, commercial photography"
Verbose:
"modern corporate logo design with abstract geometric shapes flowing dynamically, incorporating shades of deep blue and silver, suggesting technology and innovation, with clean lines and professional appearance"
Stable:
"modern tech logo, geometric, blue and silver, minimal"
Pro Tips
Understanding Midjourney Parameters: Aspect Ratio and Beyond
The --ar (Aspect Ratio) Parameter
Aspect ratio determines the proportional relationship between an image's width and height. In Midjourney, this is controlled using the --ar parameter.
Common Aspect Ratios
--ar 1:1 Square (Social media posts)
--ar 16:9 Widescreen (Presentations, banners)
--ar 4:5 Portrait (Instagram, mobile)
--ar 2:3 Traditional portrait
--ar 3:2 Landscape photography
Practical Applications
Instagram Post:
/imagine prompt: brand lifestyle photo --ar 1:1
Instagram Story:
/imagine prompt: product showcase --ar 9:16
Facebook Cover:
/imagine prompt: brand banner --ar 16:9
Business Card:
/imagine prompt: minimal logo design --ar 16:9
Billboard:
/imagine prompt: outdoor advertising --ar 4:1
Product Packaging:
/imagine prompt: cosmetic box design --ar 3:4
Other Essential Parameters
Quality (--q)
--q 1 Standard quality, faster
--q 2 Better quality, slower
--q 5 Maximum quality, slowest
Stylization (--s)
--s 0 Photo-realistic
--s 100 Balanced
--s 1000 Highly stylized
Chaos (--c)
--c 0 Stable, predictable
--c 50 Balanced variation
--c 100 Maximum variation
Pro Tips
Professional Headshot:
/imagine prompt: corporate portrait, studio lighting --ar 4:5 --q 2 --s 50
Social Media Content:
/imagine prompt: lifestyle product photo --ar 1:1 --q 2 --s 100
LinkedIn:
Header: --ar 16:9
Profile: --ar 1:1
Instagram:
Feed: --ar 1:1
Story: --ar 9:16
Essential Midjourney Parameters: Beyond Aspect Ratio
Quality Parameters (--q)
Understanding Quality Settings
--q .25 Quick draft versions
--q .5 Balanced speed/quality
--q 1 Maximum quality (default)
Usage:
/imagine prompt: product photo on white background --q 2 --ar 1:1
Stylize Parameter (--s)
Controls how strongly Midjourney's aesthetic style is applied:
--s 0 Minimal stylization
--s 100 Default balance
--s 1000 Maximum stylization
Example:
/imagine prompt: corporate headshot --s 50 --ar 4:5
Chaos Parameter (--c)
Affects variation in outputs:
--c 0 Consistent, predictable results
--c 50 Balanced variation
--c 100 Maximum unpredictability
Use Case:
/imagine prompt: abstract logo design --c 75
Recommended by LinkedIn
Version Control
Model Selection
--v 5.2 Current stable version
--v 6 Latest version
--niji Anime-focused model
Example:
/imagine prompt: product packaging --v 5.2
Special Parameters
Tile Mode
--tile Creates seamless patterns
Perfect for:
- Background patterns
- Textile designs
- Wallpapers
Stop Parameter
--stop <10-100>
Controls generation completion:
- Higher: More detailed
- Lower: More abstract
Practical Combinations
High Quality Product Shot:
/imagine prompt: luxury watch product photo --q 1 --s 50 --ar 4:5
Quick Concept:
/imagine prompt: product mockup --q .5 --s 100 --ar 1:1
Logo Development:
/imagine prompt: minimal tech logo --s 0 --c 0 --ar 1:1
Pattern Design:
/imagine prompt: brand pattern --tile --s 100
Understanding Technical Jargon in AI Prompts
The Power of Technical Terminology
Technical jargon serves as a form of information compression in prompts. When you use technical terms, you're leveraging the AI's comprehensive understanding of industry-specific concepts to communicate more efficiently.
Example: Photography Terms
Verbose Prompt:
"a portrait where the background is softly blurred in a pleasing way while keeping the subject sharp and clear"
Jargon-Based Prompt:
"portrait, shallow DOF, bokeh effect, f/1.8"
Information Density in Practice
Photography
Dense Terms:
- Bokeh
- Golden hour
- Rembrandt lighting
- Rule of thirds
- chromatic aberration
Example Prompt:
"corporate headshot, Rembrandt lighting, 85mm, bokeh"
Artistic Styles
Dense Terms:
- Chiaroscuro
- Impasto
- Sfumato
- Trompe l'oeil
- Cross-hatching
Example Prompt:
"still life, chiaroscuro, impasto technique"
Benefits of Technical Language
Pro Tips
Building Technical Vocabulary
1. Study industry terms
2. Learn technical concepts
3. Understand techniques
4. Practice implementation
Combining Technical Terms
Example Prompts:
Portrait: "clamshell lighting, OCF, medium format, Kodak Portra"
Architecture: "golden ratio, leading lines, wide angle, HDR"
Basic Template Structure
Midjourney prompts have several core components that act as building blocks for generating specific outputs. Understanding and mastering these elements is key to building effective templates.
Core Components:
Practical Templates
Below are detailed templates for common use cases, along with examples inspired by fictional characters from literature, mythology, and fairy tales.
Template 1: Character Portraits
/imagine "a [character] in [pose/action], [artistic style], [lighting], [mood], [camera angle]" --ar 2:3 --q 2
Example:
Template 2: Environmental Scenes
/imagine "[environment description], [time of day], [weather], [artistic style], [composition notes]" --ar 16:9
Example:
Template 3: Product Visualization
/imagine "[product] in [setting], [lighting setup], [style], [detail level], [perspective]" --ar 4:5 --q 2
Example:
Prompt Templates: Building Blocks for AI Image Creation
Think of prompt templates as recipes – consistent formulas that help you achieve reliable results. Each template combines core elements in a specific way to generate the desired output.
Core Components Breakdown
Structure:
[Main Subject], [Attributes], [Action]
Example:
"sleek smartphone, metallic finish, floating"
"artisan coffee cup, ceramic, steaming"
Structure:
[Setting], [Lighting], [Atmosphere]
Example:
"minimalist studio, soft backlight, professional"
"urban cafe, morning sunlight, warm ambiance"
Structure:
[Medium], [Technique], [Artist/Style Reference]
Example:
"product photography, commercial style, like Apple ads"
"digital art, geometric style, like Bauhaus"
Professional Templates
Brand Identity Template
/imagine prompt: "[product/brand name] [style] [medium], [key brand attributes], [mood], [composition]" --ar 1:1 --s 50
Example:
"EcoTech logo minimalist design, sustainable geometric forms, professional confident mood, centered composition" --ar 1:1 --s 50
Marketing Content Template
/imagine prompt: "[product] in [scene], [lighting], [style], [target audience appeal]" --ar 4:5 --q 2
Example:
"organic juice bottle in sunny kitchen, morning light, lifestyle photography, millennial aesthetic" --ar 4:5 --q 2
Social Media Template
/imagine prompt: "[subject] with [brand elements], [platform-specific style], [engagement focus]" --ar 1:1
Example:
"coffee cup with laptop and plants, instagram lifestyle, work-from-home vibes" --ar 1:1
Template Customization
Parameter Integration
Basic Template + Parameters:
[Core Elements] + [Technical Specifications]
Example:
"product flatlay professional photography" --ar 1:1 --s 50 --q 2
Style Variation
Same Subject, Different Styles:
1. Minimal: "[subject], minimalist style, clean background"
2. Luxury: "[subject], premium setting, dramatic lighting"
3. Casual: "[subject], lifestyle scene, natural light"
Pro Tips
Hands-On Exercises
Exercise 1: Style Exploration
Exercise 2: Mood Development
Use the same subject and environment but experiment with different emotional tones.
Template:
"[subject] in [environment], [lighting], [mood]"
Examples:
Exercise 3: Technical Parameter Testing
Experiment with different parameters to understand their impact.
Advanced Tips
Combining Multiple Influences
Blend multiple artistic styles for unique results.
/imagine "[subject] in the style of [artist1] meets [artist2], [medium] with [influences]"
Example:
Emphasizing Specific Elements
Use weight modifiers (::) for emphasis.
/imagine "Medusa ::2, with her snake hair ::1, in the style of Art Nouveau" --ar 2:3
Recommended AI Tools
Project: Building Your Template Library
Week 1: Experimentation
Week 2: Refinement
Week 3: Workflow Optimization
Success Metrics
Evaluate your progress with the following criteria:
Midjourney's External Editor is a gateway to limitless creativity. Whether you're reimagining a t-shirt, transforming a photo, or exploring new designs, the tools and features empower you to bring your ideas to life responsibly and ethically.
Prompt templates are the foundation for mastering AI-assisted art in Midjourney. By experimenting with structured approaches and drawing inspiration from literature, mythology, and fairy tales, you can unlock your creativity, streamline your workflow, and achieve professional-quality results. Let these exercises and examples inspire your next creative project!
Bonus: Using Midjourney's External Editor for Inpainting Images
Midjourney's External Editor is a powerful tool for enhancing and transforming your images using AI. This guide will walk you through the process of using the External Editor to inpaint images, with a focus on creating unique and ethical designs.
Eligibility Requirements
The External Editor is available to Midjourney subscribers who meet at least one of the following criteria:
If you meet these requirements, you're ready to begin!
Getting Started
Using the Editing Tools
Edit Tab Features
Retexture Tab
Example Use Case: Adding a Superhero Logo to a T-Shirt
Step-by-Step Process
Tips for Success
Exporting and Managing Edited Images
Guidelines and Responsibilities
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