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Abstract

er based on the prompt “A Dan Flavin art of a rabbit”.</figcaption></figure><p id="2b9b">It’s a beauty. Simple, poetic, surprising. The reference to Dan Flavin creates an atmospheric, illuminated render of the rabbit. I could see this as a piece in my own space.</p><p id="16cf" type="7">“An Isamu Noguchi art of a rabbit”</p><figure id="8d22"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*gj4fxhoA7HyROuRpYyb8Ig.png"><figcaption>A DALL-E render based on the prompt “An Isamu Noguchi art of a rabbit”.</figcaption></figure><p id="113c">Stunning. There is a bit of surrealism in the form itself, but it’s an impressive concept of a rabbit.</p><p id="03ce" type="7">“A Barbara Hepworth sculpture of a rabbit”</p><figure id="4eee"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*7LOC2oigQDzizr7kBf2stg.png"><figcaption>A DALL-E render based on the prompt “A Barbara Hepworth sculpture of a rabbit”.</figcaption></figure><p id="7855">This render looks right out of the imaginary sculpture park itself. The texture is amazingly realistic, the composition is dynamic. In its poise, the rabbit displays a big personality.</p><h1 id="830a">Defining the three-prong prompt: A sculptural reference, persona, and an action</h1><p id="5b77">Now that we’ve explored a basic static DALL-E render of a sculptural reference, we can expand the prompt with a third contextual element, <b>action</b>.</p><p id="56be">We’ll ask for the rabbit to be active, jumping, or leaping.</p><figure id="3b09"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*lYLI6loWGLuEmEit8uZNKw.png"><figcaption>Adding ‘action’ to the initial prompt. This defines the 3-prong approach for the prompt.</figcaption></figure><p id="2f0c">Defining an action for our persona will add fluidity and spatial aspects. We can describe the action as leaping, or jumping through the air.</p><p id="360c">The prompts for DALL-E are thus:</p><p id="e870" type="7">“A Dan Flavin art of a rabbit leaping through the air”</p><figure id="a91c"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*OhgL44MaPkgu2NcnBBcPwA.png"><figcaption>A DALL-E render based on the 3-prong prompt “A Dan Flavin art of a rabbit leaping through the air”.</figcaption></figure><p id="1c1b">DALL-E rendered this beautifully based on the 3-prong input. The image has a cinematic, ethereal quality. While we’re not sure where this narrative is going, it can be the take-off point for the rabbit hero story.</p><p id="ac7b" type="7">“An Isamu Noguchi sculpture of a rabbit jumping through mid air”</p><figure id="5b4e"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*-tfcnwiVkpOpni9ziPb53Q.png"><figcaption>A DALL-E render based on the 3-prong prompt “An Isamu Noguchi sculpture of a rabbit jumping through mid air”.</figcaption></figure><p id="9b64">In this DALL-E image, the hero, the rabbit is taking on a playful personality, jumping into the air, escaping the picture, leaping into his freedom. Action here defines the hero as having energy and aspirations.</p><p id="6506" type="7">“A Barbara Hepworth sculpture of a rabbit jumping”</p><figure id="60fc"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*tn92Rom8N8RRMEy5-MTVvg.png"><figcaption>A DALL-E render based on the 3-prong prompt “A Barbara Hepworth sculpture of a rabbit jumping”.</figcaption></figure><p id="c4a3">This DALL-E rabbit seems to be dancing on his concrete cube, excited to be in this park-like environment. The action here adds delightfulness and subtlety.</p><h1 id="0612">Defining the four-prong prompt: The sculptural reference, persona, action, and environment</h1><p id="600e">We can expand a 3-prong set-up to include any other attribute. We can set the stage by defining the surroundings, colors, expression, background, textures, and so many other aspects.</p><figure id="44e0"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*_LiLU-WRYZnBBdfaLNyXCQ.png"><figcaption>An illustrative outline of a 4-prong approach to crafting the prompt. This includes the sculptural style reference, the hero (rabbit), the action, and the environment.</figcaption></figure><p id="b24a">For this exploration, we define the environment on the Barbara-Hepworth-inspired dancing rabbit.</p><p id="5bd8" type="7">“A Barbara Hepworth sculpture of a rabbit diving into a big swimming pool”</p><figure id="cc8

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f"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*VM3eVfQ3YmXeriXWTUAQBA.png"><figcaption>A DALL-E render based on the 4-prong prompt “A Barbara Hepworth sculpture of a rabbit diving into a big swimming pool”.</figcaption></figure><p id="0744">It’s a nice rendering, although it took a few rounds to get a render of the rabbit’s entire body. The form of the sculpture is lovely, smooth, and artistic. I could see this sculpture in someone’s swimming pool.</p><p id="3c60">This can become an idea for a prototype. Or it can be a visual cue for a story that yet has to be written.</p><p id="58a0">Expanding on the prompts can add interesting dimensions, although it will take several tries before DALL-E can loosely match one’s expectation, even on a rudimentary level.</p><h1 id="f09d">Learnings and takeaways</h1><p id="e758">DALL-E renders take time (and money). They need a meaningful prompts to make a render valuable to the designer.</p><p id="ea35">Crafting a prompt takes a conceptual input. We need to define our expectations of a DALL-E render. (Randomness is fine, but unsurprisingly, the outcome is unpredictable).</p><p id="4faf">It is important to know the artistic style references well. Read up about artists’ and their work and look images of their oeuvre. Delve into their universe that took them decades to create.</p><p id="6c89">Study art history, visit museums, attend art lectures, research art movements. It will come in handy when you need to write design inputs.</p><p id="47f6">Keep being amazed by what you see around you and make a note of it.</p><p id="2ce2">Experiment with the prompt, but don’t ask for the impossible. Remember, DALL-E pulls from open source databases. DALL-E doesn’t have the human ability to bend its mind around corners.</p><p id="5f04">Remain humble and always remember, DALL-E does not replace the human imagination and creative mind. DALL-E is a tool. We can use it to explore.</p><p id="bd7b">Above all, enjoy the journey into AI.</p><p id="87ca">And then, take a break from it all.</p><p id="734f"><b>Interested in learning more about UX design, AI, design tools & trends, and art? Join Medium with <a href="https://evaschicker2012.medium.com/membership">this link</a>, and support my future writing. Thank you! </b>✍️🧡</p><p id="7ff8"><i>All images created with DALL-E ©Eva Schicker 2023.</i></p><p id="be5c">Read more about AI and design:</p><div id="f8f5" class="link-block"> <a href="https://evaschicker.medium.com/applying-abstract-art-references-to-dall-e-as-stylistic-concepts-55a000660f8c"> <div> <div> <h2>Applying abstract art references to DALL-E as stylistic concepts</h2> <div><h3>5 explorations on how DALL-E’s AI is interpreting modernist art styles</h3></div> <div><p>evaschicker.medium.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/1*FJxhtMEaieIBKV-Tqsu18w.jpeg)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div><div id="144e" class="link-block"> <a href="https://evaschicker.medium.com/how-to-explore-the-golden-ratio-in-design-and-typography-b124331ba378"> <div> <div> <h2>How to explore the golden ratio in design and typography</h2> <div><h3>The secret lies in 1.61803398875</h3></div> <div><p>evaschicker.medium.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/1*6VIjPYDeIFm-JvSKNYg50g.jpeg)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div><div id="770e" class="link-block"> <a href="https://evaschicker.medium.com/creating-steam-in-css-d8641ba7525c"> <div> <div> <h2>Creating steam in CSS</h2> <div><h3>Think hot, delightful, freshly brewed coffee</h3></div> <div><p>evaschicker.medium.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/1*VuQaTsutYWfyUueWNHz2aQ.gif)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div><p id="0bce">Thank you.</p></article></body>

On Writing

Why I Stopped Reading the How to’s of a Writer

The brain dump is the answer

A lot has happened to me this month than any month in 2020 since I started writing. A few days from now I’ll be celebrating my first month as a writer here in Medium and it is still surreal for me every time I press on that publish button.

I want this all my life. So, I did the best that I could. From reading two books at a time, I read 4 books at the same time doing intervals like I’m doing a cross-training for a marathon. I ditched my Netflix subscription which is so unlikely myself and I read a bunch of articles on “how to’s” to become a successful writer.

I was afraid to be a beginner. When a teacher asks if everyone understood what was discussed. You don’t wanna be that person who will raise their hand asking what was said a few minutes ago. That is how it feels like. You wanna be part of the curation within a month. Viral article within a few days crediting it to how you’ve weaved your words beautifully. But it’s not always the case. I realized when you put unnecessary pressure on yourself all the words don’t come outright. Every idea is not good enough.

So, I grope to what I can find. A pen, a piece of paper, and the fifth video of Mel Robbins’s 31 sessions. Topic: Are you overwhelmed? I wrote down everything that is on my mind. I did a no-holds-barred mind dump. What’s holding me back. What I want out of this process. I wrote what I can do, down to my frustrations and fears. When I started to highlight what was important for me I felt a sense of calm and motivation to start again. I felt relieved. I’m back to what’s essential for me.

I also have to acknowledge that I can never write as good as ______ but I can write as I do, in the best version of me. I want to write because I feel scared and exhilarated at the same time. I write because it makes me feel alive.

I’m also holding myself accountable that my words will bring light to even just one person who will read this.

I see you and I understand how it feels.

The guides are there to give us an idea. But what that session made me realize is no one can tell your story as you do. I started to underestimate the power of struggle. Where in ironically that struggle brought me here.

The how to’s are made for — call to action but sometimes these don’t work for you. So you go back, ask yourself … Dump it on a piece of paper. What works for you?

Absurdly, if everyone adheres to an ultimate how-to guide, would it be monotonous to read success stories? Isn’t the reason why we read those struggles is that we want to know we’re not alone, that our struggles are what makes us?

As I am embracing the process and celebrating my little victories. I have come to realize no one can etch your path as you do. Your experience, background, places you’ve been to, people you have met, books, and everything that you have read. That makes up who you are as a writer and it would be unfair to gauge yourself based on a 10 point guide.

There is no wrong or right way.

If ever you’re that 1% who kept on deleting your draft, abiding by the unofficial rules and overwhelmed thinking your work is not good enough. Remember again the joy of why you have started and the elation while you type every word in your mind.

As I knit my words, I want every thread, every loop to tell a story.

What matters now is I get to share my truth with the world. Embracing the process and writing my heart out, which is certainly not any “How to’s” can tell.