Have you ever imagined being able to create amazing pictures just by describing them with words? Thanks to Artificial Intelligence (AI), that is now possible! AI is everywhere around us, making our lives easier and more fun. It helps recommend videos on YouTube, helps us talk to voice assistants like Alexa, and even makes video games more exciting. But did you know AI can also help you create incredible artwork?
Generative AI is a type of AI that can create things, like pictures, based on the instructions you give it. All you need to do is describe what you want, and the AI will turn your words into images! This can be a fantastic way for kids like you to unleash your creativity and learn how to bring your imagination to life.
What Are Generative AI Image Tools?
Generative AI image tools are programs that let you create pictures by simply typing in what you want to see. You don’t need to know how to draw or paint, just describe the picture in words, and the AI does the rest! These tools can be fun and educational, teaching you how to think creatively, explore new ideas, and understand how technology works.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through how you can use these tools to create your own images. Let’s dive in and learn how to make cool artwork using AI!
5 Free AI Image Generation Tools You Can Try
Here are some great tools that you can use for free to start making your own AI-generated images:
Tool Name | Free Credits Per Day |
MidJourney | Limited free usage (you’ll need to pay to get credits for more) |
Leonardo | 150 free tokens per day |
Ideogram | Free with limited daily usage |
Craiyon (DALL-E Mini) | Free with unlimited daily usage |
Deep Dream Generator | Free with 5 credits per day |
These tools give you free credits or daily limits to start creating images. You can make a few pictures every day and see what cool things you can create.
These tools provide an excellent starting point for children to begin their creative journey with AI. Some offer unlimited usage, while others offer daily credits, making it easy for kids to explore image generation without additional costs.
How to Use AI Image Tools to Create Pictures
Now, let’s get to the fun part—how you can use AI to create your own pictures! Here, I’ll focus on MidJourney because it’s a great tool for beginners, and it’s also one of the easiest to use once you get the hang of it.
Generative AI tools, such as MidJourney, allow you to create images by simply describing what you want to see. These tools are incredibly intuitive, and by learning how to frame your ideas as prompts, you can start generating artwork that aligns with your vision. Below, we’ll break down some important steps and commands that you can use in your image-generation journey.
Why MidJourney is Our Focus
Among the many generative AI tools available today, MidJourney stands out as one of the most popular and widely used platforms for creating AI-generated images. While tools like Leonardo, Ideogram, and Craiyon are powerful and feature-rich, MidJourney has become a favorite for both beginners and professionals due to several key reasons:
Ease of Use: MidJourney’s interface is simple, making it accessible for users of all ages, including kids. It operates through Discord, a platform many children and teenagers are already familiar with, which lowers the barrier to entry.
High-Quality Outputs: MidJourney consistently generates high-quality, visually stunning images. Whether you’re creating fantastical scenes or detailed portraits, MidJourney’s outputs often surpass those of other tools in terms of resolution and artistic quality.
Customization Options: MidJourney provides users with a wide range of customization options, from art styles to aspect ratios and lighting effects. This allows kids to fully express their creativity and bring their visions to life in unique ways.
Engaged Community: MidJourney has cultivated a large, supportive community of artists and creators who share their work, tips, and advice. This makes it a great learning environment for kids who want to improve their image generation skills by engaging with others.
Creative Control: Unlike some other tools that are more rigid, MidJourney gives users extensive control over the visual attributes of their creations, allowing them to fine-tune their images to their exact preferences.
While there are several free AI image generation tools, MidJourney’s balance of simplicity and depth makes it ideal for kids who are just beginning to explore the world of generative AI. It’s for these reasons that we focus on MidJourney in this guide, while still acknowledging the value of other tools like Leonardo and Ideogram for specific use cases.
Basic Steps to Start Using MidJourney
Before you begin using MidJourney, you’ll need to do a few things to get set up. Here’s a detailed, step-by-step guide to help you start creating amazing images with MidJourney.
1. Sign Up for Discord
Midjourney works through a platform called Discord. Discord is a program that allows people to chat, share, and create communities. Midjourney uses this platform for its image generation service. If you don’t already have a Discord account, don’t worry—it’s free and easy to sign up. Here’s how:
Go to discord.com: Open your browser and go to discord.com.
Click on "Sign Up": You’ll see a button that says "Sign Up." Click on it.
Create your account: You’ll need to fill in some information like your email, a username, and a password. After that, follow the steps to verify your email.
Download Discord (optional): You can use Discord directly from your browser, but it’s easier to download the app on your computer or phone. This way, you can access it anytime without opening your browser.
Tip: If you're not sure how to set up your Discord account, ask a parent or guardian to help you!
2. Join the Midjourney Discord Server
Once you have your Discord account set up, the next step is to join the MidJourney server. This is the place where you can interact with the AI to create images. Here’s how you can join:
Go to the MidJourney website: Head over to midjourney.com and click on "Join the Beta."
Accept the invitation to join the MidJourney server: This will take you to Discord, where you’ll see an invite to join the MidJourney server. Click "Accept Invite."
Find a channel to create images: Inside the MidJourney server, you’ll see different "channels" or rooms. Look for one that says "newbies" or "general" because these are good places to start.
Tip: The server might look a bit overwhelming at first with lots of messages, but don’t worry! You only need to focus on typing in your commands to create images.
3. Use Commands to Create Your Image
Once you’re inside the MidJourney Discord server, you can start creating images by using commands. Here’s the fun part! To tell the AI what picture you want, you use the /imagine command, followed by the description of the picture. This is called a prompt.
How to type your command:In the chat box, type /imagine and then the description of the image you want. For example:/imagine a flying unicorn with rainbow wings
Hit Enter: Once you type your prompt, hit Enter, and the AI will start working. In a few seconds, your image will appear!
Guide to Crafting Stunning AI-Generated Images With Midjourney
Here are some tips and examples of how kids can use different prompts to make their AI-generated images more interesting and tailored to their vision.
Basic Prompt Example:
/imagine prompt: a castle on a hill under a rainbow
This simple prompt tells MidJourney to create a picture of a castle on a hill with a rainbow. It’s a great starting point to see how the AI interprets a basic idea.
Adding Art Style:
/imagine prompt: a watercolor style painted castle on a hill under a rainbow --style raw
By adding
--style raw and the keyword Watercolor,
the AI will generate the image with a watercolor art style, giving it a more artistic and colorful appearance.
Setting Aspect Ratio:
/imagine prompt: a magical forest --ar 16:9
The --ar command allows kids to set an aspect ratio. In this case, the forest image will be wider (16:9), perfect for screen backgrounds.
Increasing Image Quality:
/imagine prompt: a spaceship landing on an alien planet --q 2
The --q option increases the image’s quality. Here, the spaceship and alien planet will be rendered with more detail.
Excluding Elements:
/imagine prompt: a futuristic city --no cars
The --no command excludes specific elements from the image. In this case, the futuristic city won’t have any cars, allowing for a cleaner look.
Tips for Writing Better Prompts
For children to get the best results from MidJourney and similar tools, they should try to be as descriptive as possible. Here are some important keywords they can use to enhance their prompts:
Texture and Material:
Kids can use words like "glossy," "metallic," or "crystalline" to make the images more detailed and realistic.
Example: /imagine prompt: a dragon with glossy scales
Lighting and Shadow:
Words like "backlit," "soft lighting," or "moody" can create different effects in the image.
Example: /imagine prompt: a city at night with soft lighting
Perspective and Angle:
Adding angles like "bird’s eye view" or "side view" can change how the image is framed.
Example: /imagine prompt: a spaceship from a bird's eye view
Emotion and Atmosphere:
Words like "serene," "chaotic," or "melancholic" help convey mood.
Example: /imagine prompt: a serene beach at sunset
Real-Time Example: Crafting a Unique Image Prompt
Let’s walk through a fun, creative prompt that children can try themselves.
Prompt:
/imagine prompt: a magical kingdom in the clouds with floating islands and waterfalls --style raw --q 2 --ar 16:9 --no dark colors
This command asks the AI to generate an image of a fantasy world with floating islands and waterfalls, using a bright color scheme and a 16:9 aspect ratio. It’s a creative way to explore the fantasy genre, and the prompt can be modified based on the child’s imagination.
Tips for Better Images
Use Descriptive Words: The more details you give, the better your image will be. Try using words like “glowing,” “shiny,” “dark,” or “colorful” to make your picture more exciting.
Try Different Styles: Add styles like “watercolor,” “cartoon,” or “realistic” to see how they change the look of your image.
Experiment: Don’t be afraid to play around with different ideas. Try mixing two things together, like “a pirate ship in outer space,” and see what happens!
Start Creating Today!
Generative AI tools like Midjourney and others are amazing ways for kids to explore their creativity and bring their imaginations to life. Even if you’ve never used AI before, you can start today and create stunning pictures just by describing them with words. These tools are fun, easy to use, and can help you learn more about art and technology.
Ready to take your child’s AI journey to the next level? Enroll them in the GenAI Master Course, where they can dive deeper into the world of Generative AI, learn how these tools work, and even create their own AI-driven projects. The GenAI Master Course is designed to empower kids to become creators in the AI space, using the same tools we discussed in this blog. Help your child unlock their full creative potential with the skills and knowledge they need to thrive in an AI-driven world!
Comentarios