How AI Image Generators Work and Why They Matter

Understanding the Evolution, Use Cases, and Features of AI-Driven Creativity

AI image generators have revolutionized the creative landscape. With billions of images created annually, the tools empower creators, businesses, and educators to innovate and streamline their processes like never before.

What are AI Image generators


According to Everypixel Journal, between 2022 and 2023, users created over 15 billion images. 


Source: Everypixel Journal report



To put that into some perspective: The one billionth photo was taken in the mid 70s, a little over 150 years since the daguerreotype revolutionized photography.


That's 150 years!


The concept of AI-generated images is far simpler.

You input a word, sentence or paragraph into an online platform & generate a handful of images. 


As your text prompt becomes more detailed, the platform will try to give you a close approximation of what you asked. It can create photo realistic images, animated images used in comic books or cartoons or you can ask it to create an image made of feathers, bowling balls or cheese.

You are only limited by your imagination.


And it looks like many have great imaginations because about 34 million AI-generated images are rendered daily on platforms such as DALL-E, Midjourney, and Leonardo AI.

Why are people creating 34 million images a day?


When I started playing with Leonardo, I saw a lot of game character designs. Entertainment and gaming developers use the technology to create realistic environments and produce concept art. 

But that's not all:


  • Marketing and Advertising - Marketers were one of the earliest to jump into AI image generation. Almost 40 percent use AI images for social media.

  • Creative Professionals - According to an Adobe survey, creative professionals such as photographers are using AI to play around with different mediums, automate their workflow and create higher quality images.

  • Education - Teachers are using AI in the classroom. An AIPRM report showed that about 51% are using AI-powered games to improve student learning and interaction.

  • Healthcare - Healthcare Professionals use synthesized AI images for training and testing without compromising patient privacy. Of course, these are specialized data modeling processes uses but health and medicine are finding their way with AI imagery to their advantage.

Key Features of Leonardo AI


Leonardo AI is a suite of AI image generation tools, which means that there is something for everyone to work with depending on your intent. 


Screenshot of Leonardo preset models

If you're looking to create photorealistic images, conceptual art, or anime, the right model is there.

To create text within an image Phoenix is the best


Within these models, there are presets and layer modifiers.

Elements 

Think of elements like snapshots. You integrate different aesthetic elements into your renders to make it more unique. For example "An arcangel" yields one image but when I add an animation element and generate the same prompt, this happens:


Image Guidance (Also known as image-to-image)


Image guidance in Leonardo is an impressive suite in its own right. You can create an exact replica of your product, logo or other image and manipulate it however you want. You can also use it to guide the style, concept and content, allowing you to achieve more brand consistent images. I go more in-depth about this in my course Leonardo AI Essentials for Business but here's an intro to the feature 





Quick note: Free Leonardo users get limited access to Image guidance, which means you can still do a lot with it.

AI Prompt Enhancement

When I taught small business owners about prompting Leonardo, I cautioned them about getting wordy. My experience taught me to be economical and even short with my prompts, or there would be laziness, confusion and chaos on Leonardo's part (which led to frustration or more)


Then came Improve Prompt


If your prompt is short enough, under 200 characters or so, and you had this feature on, a simple prompt like this:


An arcangel


becomes this:

A regally decaying archangel, every feature exudes power amidst ruin: wings tattered in golden hues, still gleaming; eyes piercing through the devastation with a celestial glow; and armor rusting yet unmistakably divine. The once majestic figure now stands tall in the crumbling remains of the Roman Coliseum. This striking image, whether rendered in a detailed painting or captured in a dramatic photograph, captures the essence of a fallen angel in a breathtaking display of grandeur and decline.


I proudly admit to using this feature most of the time because no one can speak Leonardo better than Leonardo. However there are times when I don’t want the embellishment, so I turn it off.


This is just one of the ways Leonardo helps you to make a few tweaks in quick time.

Canvas Editor

By far this is one of my favorite features in Leonardo. There are some images that you can use a regular editor for because it's a straightforward adjustment. For more complex images, AI works better. You can upload an image in the canvas and edit it with any model you use. Here's an introduction to the process:



Quick note: Canvas Editor has Infinity Mode and Focus Mode. Focus Mode has more features like you see in the video.


These are just some of the numerous features and functions available for anyone who wants more control over their image assets when using a platform like Leonardo AI.

See How Mercer Design Leverages AI Image Generation


AI image generation is available to the masses and businesses big and small have found great ways to incorporate AI-generated brand images into their workflows. Fashion is an industry that is finding ways to innovate and break through.  


One such company is Fashion supply chain Mercer.design, formerly known as Cala. They are part of the production-on-demand movement and are using AI image generation throughout their process, not just for social media.

They integrate DALL-E's API to create a prompt-to-design process geared toward fashion brands & retailers. Their process involves having businesses choose from provided product templates. Then using descriptive terms as prompts, companies produce product designs and once the piece is designed and everyone's satisfied, it's moved to production.

We are going to see other industry sectors embrace and ramp up "prompt-to-design" because it’s convenient and allows for more communication with clients and customers.


No Better Time Than Now

AI image generation opens doors for individuals and businesses to innovate and streamline their creative workflows. Beyond superficial applications, it democratizes the creative process, enabling small and micro brands to compete on a larger scale. By understanding how AI image generation works and choosing the right platform for their needs, businesses can unlock unparalleled opportunities for growth and creativity.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How can I use AI-generated images for business branding?

AI tools like Leonardo AI allow you to create brand-consistent visuals by using image-to-image guidance or custom prompts. You can generate photorealistic images, logos, and product designs tailored to your business needs.

What industries are benefiting most from AI image generation?

Industries such as marketing, education, healthcare, and entertainment are leveraging AI-generated images to streamline processes, improve training, and create engaging content at scale.

How accurate are AI image generators at following prompts?

AI image generators are getting better at following user prompts, but they are far from perfect. Platforms like Leonardo AI provide ways for users to improve prompt accuracy with Phoenix preset and tools like Improve Prompt and Edit with AI.

Can AI image generators be used for professional branding?

Yes. Professionals in a variety of sectors and industry are using AI to create consistent and innovative brand strategies. The example of Mercer.design allows the company to not only create a business around AI imaging, but by collaborating with clients, they’re doing some valuable market research for future expansion.

Are AI-generated images copyright-free?

Yes, many platforms like Leonardo AI explicitly state that users retain full rights to the images they create, making them suitable for personal and commercial use. Always check the specific terms of the platform you are using.




Comments

Post a Comment

Thanks so much for taking the time to comment

Popular posts from this blog

Beyond Words: Exploring AI Video for Authors

Image
Listen to this Post: Dianne Dixon (ShePrompts) · BooktoVideo Blog Post - ShePrompts  Feeling like your book is getting lost in the sea of content? What if you could create captivating video trailers or social media snippets without needing a design team? If you haven't heard yet, human attention span has fallen below that of a goldfish. Sad, true, but why should you care?  As an author, your job is to not only hold people's attention with your amazing book but to get them to your book. That’s right. You’re in sales and marketing now!  Now, I know some of my indie author colleagues scoff at the idea of anything related to marketing or the business of selling books. They feel it’s too corporate or you’re selling out…  Sorry to break it to you, but once you publish that book, you are a business.  Now that generative AI is more mainstream, you can become  smarter at the business of being an author. It's become imperative for authors to engage or participate i...
Read more

AI Image Generation Showdown: Leonardo AI, MidJourney, and DALL-E

Image
A detailed comparison of the top three AI image platforms—features, ease of use, and output quality. In Just One Year, 15 Billion AI-Generated Images Were Created AI image generation's explosive growth has given businesses a unique opportunity to ride trends, enhance brand identity, and offer more personalized experiences to customers and clients. But which image platform is the best? That’s a tricky (and, to be honest, ridiculous) question—because no single AI image generator can meet everyone’s needs. Each platform has its strengths, making the idea of one AI Image Generator to Rule Them All impossible. Instead, let’s examine three leading platforms—Leonardo AI, Midjourney, and DALL-E—to see what each brings to the table. We'll compare them on ease of use, output quality, and innovation. Overview MidJourney Midjourney burst onto the scene with stunning photorealistic images. Initially hosted on Discord, users generate images using the /imagine command. Additional commands li...
Read more

How AI Text-to-Video is Changing the Small Business Game

Image
A Practical Guide to Creating Video Ads That Convert According to the Ericsson Mobility Report, nearly 70% of mobile subscriptions (over 6 billion) will be 5G by 2030. By then, 80% of all mobile data traffic will be video—with an average smartphone consuming 40GB of video content monthly. Why AI and 5G Matter for Small Businesses Video Marketing Success With more people watching video content than ever, businesses that adapt will have a competitive edge. AI-powered text-to-video tools now make it easier and more affordable to create professional-looking videos for marketing, product promotions, and customer engagement. Humans are visual learners. Studies suggest it takes between 13 and 80 milliseconds for the brain to process images, often faster than reading text. Since visuals are retained better than text, small businesses should consider AI-generated videos as a powerful tool for reaching their audience. In case you haven’t noticed, Google search results are evolving . Organic li...
Read more