Introduction
When you're exploring early creative ideas, the right images can help unlock tone, mood, and even take you in unexpected directions. This guide offers practical tips and visual examples to support fast, exploratory image work in ideation and concepting.
Tips for Generating Concept Images
Focus on overall vibe, not detail
You're not looking for perfectly polished images - just ones that convey atmosphere, mood or texture
Use creative prompts, not literal descriptions
Try using metaphorical language or theme-based prompts.
e.g. a memory of home told through light and shadow” may be more useful than “a red house with a front porch.”
Intentionally play with and explore styles
Use prompts as an opportunity to explore different artistic lenses and styles - sketches, graffiti, watercolours, collage, brutalism, etc. This will help evoke a range of emotional tones
Generate in batches rather than one image at a time
Pick the ones that stand out to you - especially if they're interesting but seem like the 'wrong ones'
Sometimes that which seems like it might not work can spark the best discussion.
Tips for Selecting Images During Ideation
Look for the most useful, not necessarily the 'best'
Choose images that invite conversation, not just ones that look nice or fit your pre-existing style.
Pair images with early written ideas
Having visual examples alongside rough concepts can reveal gaps or even unexpected alignments.
Use contrast
Selecting a set of images that explore different tones or directions can help clarify creative direction.
Examples
Here are some example prompts along with the outputs from a range of image models:
Ideation: Whisky
Prompt:
"Generate concept art for an image to accompany a fun advert for a whisky brand. It should be whimsical and fantastical, evoking a sense of playfulness and sparking joy for viewers. Make it distinctive and different from a typical whisky ad."
Ideation: Fashion
Prompt:
"Generate a concept for an image to accompany a fun advert for a high street mens fashion brand. It should be for a spring/summer campaign with bright neons featuring prominently. Make it distinctive and different from a typical high street fashion ad. Target Gen Z. Unique and imaginative."
Ideation: Cosmetics
Prompt:
"Generate concept art for an ad for a high-end beauty brand. It should stand out from the rest of the market and avoid clichés and tropes common to the sector. The ad should feel high-end and editorial with an emphasis on luxury and glamour but combined with a sense of uniqueness and surrealism. It should be suitable for use on social media, fashion blogs and in fashion magazines."
