Over the past week, I embarked on an exciting journey with MidJourney, the AI art platform, to push the boundaries of creativity. Each day, I experimented with different prompts, styles, and concepts to see what the AI could generate and how subtle changes in instructions could dramatically alter the results. Here’s a rundown of what I learned from my week of MidJourney experiments, with insights on how prompt tweaks affect outcomes.
Day 1: Cyberpunk Cityscape
Prompt Tested: “Cyberpunk city at night, neon lights, rain, dark streets, futuristic vehicles”
On the first day, I wanted to dive into the Cyberpunk genre. The result was a vibrant city filled with towering skyscrapers and neon signs illuminating a rainy urban street. The reflection of lights on wet asphalt added a sense of depth and atmosphere. The AI captured the gritty yet futuristic feel of Cyberpunk perfectly.
What I Learned: The key to getting the best Cyberpunk art is emphasizing both lighting and atmosphere. Using keywords like “rain,” “neon,” and “dark streets” helped bring that dystopian edge.
Day 2: Surreal Dreamscape
Prompt Tested: “Surreal dreamscape with floating islands, giant clocks, melting objects, distorted reality”
On day two, I moved toward Surrealism. MidJourney produced a breathtaking landscape where gravity didn’t seem to exist—floating islands surrounded by whimsical, melting objects and oversized clocks. The scene was both eerie and beautiful, like a vivid dream that defied all logic.
What I Learned: When working with Surrealism, embracing impossible scenarios and focusing on contrasting elements (like floating objects and distorted scale) is key to capturing that dreamlike essence.
Day 3: Retro-Futurism with Vintage Robots
Prompt Tested: “Retro-futuristic city, 1960s robots, flying cars, space age design, mid-century modern style”
For Day 3, I tested Retro-Futurism, blending vintage aesthetics with futuristic concepts. The output featured sleek flying cars, mid-century modern architecture, and charming 1960s-style robots. The style was nostalgic yet futuristic—evoking the optimism of a bygone era’s view of the future.
What I Learned: The fusion of past and future is a powerful concept in Retro-Futurism. Words like “vintage,” “space age,” and “mid-century” helped anchor the design in a specific time period, while futuristic elements maintained a sense of innovation.
Day 4: Abstract Art Experiment
Prompt Tested: “Abstract, dynamic shapes, vibrant swirling colors, emotional expression”
Day 4 was all about Abstract art. The resulting piece was an explosion of vibrant colors and swirling patterns, reflecting a dynamic sense of movement and emotion. The AI seemed to understand the flow and intensity of abstract expressionism, using fluid shapes and bold hues to convey mood.
What I Learned: With abstract art, the less specific the instructions, the more open-ended the result. Focusing on emotion and movement rather than clear forms led to some exciting, non-representational art.
Day 5: Fantasy Landscape
Prompt Tested: “Fantasy landscape, mystical forest, glowing creatures, magical light beams”
I couldn’t resist diving into the Fantasy genre on Day 5. The image produced a lush forest teeming with glowing creatures and magical light beams filtering through the trees. It felt like something out of a high-fantasy novel.
What I Learned: For the best Fantasy art, focus on natural elements and supernatural lighting effects. Magical realism is enhanced when you combine ordinary scenes (like a forest) with ethereal, glowing details.
Day 6: Portraits in the Style of Classical Art
Prompt Tested: “Classical portrait, 18th century style, soft lighting, rich textures, elegant clothing”
Day 6 focused on creating a portrait in the Classical style. The AI produced an image with warm, soft lighting and rich textures. The subject looked regal, draped in fine, period-appropriate clothing.
What I Learned: In classical portraits, lighting and textural details are incredibly important. The AI can excel in replicating the essence of classical painting by focusing on elegance and realism in textures and colors.
Day 7: Minimalist Black and White
Prompt Tested: “Minimalist black and white, simple geometric shapes, modern design, high contrast”
On the final day, I went for a Minimalist design with black and white tones. The result was an elegant play on simple geometric shapes—a sharp contrast of dark and light, with an emphasis on clean lines.
What I Learned: Minimalism thrives on simplicity. The fewer elements, the more impactful the result. It’s a style that emphasizes the essence of an idea rather than intricate detail.
What I Learned Overall
After a week of experimenting with MidJourney, it became clear that AI art is about more than just typing in a prompt. It’s about understanding how specific words and phrases can influence the style, atmosphere, and emotional tone of your artwork. The beauty of MidJourney is in its ability to adapt to different creative directions, making it an invaluable tool for artists and creators of all kinds.
By experimenting with a variety of styles, I was able to see how small changes in prompts could create radically different outputs. Whether you’re looking to generate futuristic cities, dreamlike landscapes, or simple geometric designs, there’s a world of possibilities at your fingertips.
Looking to create your own fantastical masterpieces? Use our Prompt Generator to craft your perfect prompt, tailored for MidJourney, and watch your fantasy worlds come to life in seconds.