Use AI to enhance your ideas, not to generate them for you.

Steps

  1. Before you begin, test your concept and aesthetic style using a generative AI program. Use a text-to-image generator and make sure to change the models. This can most easily be done by using three different generators or by using a multi-model generator like Krea.
  2. Create a prompt from your first idea for the assignment. It can be a paragraph or slightly longer. Be very descriptive, include colors and shapes, describe it visually, what materials are used or are being simulated. Think beyond the action to themes, meanings and experiences.
  3. Copy/paste this prompt into a minimum of 3 models (shown in class.) A model is not necessarily a different program. Review your notes so you understand. Select 3 or more outputs and save them in your project folder and label them "DumbPrompt_AI_Research"
  4. Choose an LLM (Language Learning Model) from the following options: Gemini, Claude and ChatGPT. Don’t use any others.
  5. Start a conversation with the LLM by typing: "Help me imagine a __[subject of project]____. It needs to be unique to me because I'm a fine artist. Here are my ideas: [copy/paste your prompt from steps 1 & 2] and you can see them here [upload images of your sketches]." Upload images from your sketchbook or iPad—sketchy, quick drawings. Don't upload the AI-generated images or videos from previous steps.
  6. Never start a conversation with an LLM without your own original ideas. Beginning from scratch will only produce bland, generic responses. Share your sketches with the LLM, write out your thoughts, or copy notes from your sketchbook. By feeding it your raw ideas, drawings, and dreams, you'll guide the LLM to truly help you instead of giving you the same response it would give anyone else.
  7. Ask the LLM for a three-paragraph summary of your concept. Read it carefully to check if it left anything out or changed anything. LLMs still have a 10% chance of hallucinations, giving you incorrect answers or adding their own ideas. Always reread their output carefully. Even if it seems correct, you might need to revise the wording or edit the structure. Copy the three paragraphs after you've reviewed and edited them.
  8. Paste the paragraphs into Perplexity.ai an AI that's extremely useful for research. It draws from the live web and searches better than Google. It can find YouTube videos, PDFs, scholarly journals, and more, with everything linked back to the source. They offer a free student version.
  9. Write: "This is my concept for an animated world. Search for similar concepts, ideas, artworks, stories, and entertainment content throughout history. Provide sources: YouTube videos, Vimeo, scholarly articles, PDFs, books for every similar idea. Order the list from most to least similar and estimate similarity using percentages (for example: 100% similar, 75%, 50%, 33%)."
  10. Read the response carefully and analyze it. Change your idea if it isn't original or doesn't bring something new to an existing concept. We are using the LLM's vast knowledge to steer away from overused ideas. Edit your concept and try again until you achieve a similarity percentage lower than 50%.
    1. All ideas come from your external world and life experience: pop culture, movies, cartoons, trends, TikTok, friend groups, discussion boards like Discord or Reddit, news sources, and social media. Your mind synthesizes these inputs with your memories, knowledge, and creative goals to generate new ideas. Complete originality does not exist. Diversify your interests and expose yourself to new source material. Visit museums, galleries, live music venues, the political opposite’s new sources, bookstores, and unusual places that interest you but are not mainstream.
  11. Go back to chatgpt/claude/Gemini and copy/paste your new idea and type: "Ask me questions about my animated world, do not suggest or give advice."
  12. It will ask you questions, usually about parts of your world that you didn't include. Answer the questions explicitly, going into detail. The more detail, the better. You need to distinguish yourself from others.
  13. Repeat until your conversation seems finished to you.
  14. Copy and paste my project requirements into the LLM and ask it to help you fulfill them and create your artwork. Include the due date and submission requirements. You're now using the LLM as an assistant, a task it excels at. Remember to double-check its responses. If you catch it hallucinating, tell it not to give you any new ideas, advice, or information beyond what you've provided.
  15. Screen shot this conversation or export it and save it. Include in your project folder.