Prompt With Purpose·Process

How I directed AI to create this illustration

Seven versions, one lesson: you're the director. Here's what I asked for, what I got, and what I learned about giving better direction to a tool that can't read your mind.

"Every time I see someone use one of these tools, I notice the same thing: they have a vision, they go back and forth with the AI a few times, and eventually they just... settle."

— Megan Friesth, motion designer

Lesson learned the hard way

Save as you go. The AI has no memory of what it generated. If you don't screenshot it, it's gone. I lost several versions — the one with different wall art, an early crop I liked — because I didn't save them at the time. This is the first thing I tell people in the workshop.

The iterations

7 versions — swipe or use the arrows to move through them.

First attempt

1 / 7

Version 1 — First attempt

The very first output. The composition was there — teal walls, desk, plant, wall art — and the boots made it. But the figure looked like my daughter, not me. And she was facing the wrong way, away from the text.

What I learned

The things no tutorial tells you. Tap any item to expand.

Which AI image tool should you use?

Each tool has a different strength. The right choice depends on what you're making and how much control you need.

GPT-4o (used here)Used in this case study

Best for

Iterating with natural language — describe changes conversationally and the tool responds to direction

Trade-off

Less control over fine details; face and body proportions can shift between iterations

Use when

You want to work quickly in conversation and are comfortable directing rather than controlling

Midjourney

Best for

Artistic, editorial, brand illustration with high visual quality

Trade-off

Less responsive to precise text direction; requires prompt craft and iteration

Use when

You want stunning visuals and are willing to invest time in prompt refinement

Adobe Firefly

Best for

Commercially safe images with Photoshop integration and style matching

Trade-off

Less distinctive style; outputs can feel stock-adjacent

Use when

You need images for client work and require a clean commercial licence

Stable Diffusion

Best for

Full control, local processing, custom fine-tuned models

Trade-off

Steep learning curve; requires technical setup

Use when

You want maximum control and have the technical appetite for it

Canva AI

Best for

Quick social graphics and presentations without leaving Canva

Trade-off

Very limited control; outputs are generic and recognisable as AI

Use when

You need something fast for internal use and quality isn't the priority

Prompt With Purpose

Learn to direct AI with intention.

This case study is a preview of what we cover in the Prompt With Purpose workshop — how to brief an AI tool the way you'd brief a designer, and how to know when to stop iterating.