Midjourney

How did I find out? They had all made headlines for a lawsuit targeting AI-generated imagery and over 4,000 artists' work used to train the companies' AI machines. Founded two years prior by serial entrepreneur David Holz, Midjourney was one of the earlier tools to tap into visual output created by artificial intelligence. Yet, the (negative buzz around these companies was what ended up piquing my interest about the ways AI could enhance or support my creativity. (Though legally would be better.) I began to look into how I could make a logo for my business through Midjourney. To get started, you'll need a Discord account, which is free. I was originally introduced to Discord through community organizers who were also gamers, so it was interesting to see a creative AI tool being utilized through what I consider a more tech- and UX-driven version of Slack. Then you can access the Midjourney Bot through Discord via browser, mobile app or desktop app. While Discord is free, you'll need to subscribe to a Midjourney Subscription Plan to start generating images. Monthly prices start at $10, and you save 20% if you commit to an annual subscription plan. Step 2: Now you can interact with Midjourney Bot using a Command -- used to create images, change default settings and other tasks. Particularly, the /imagine command can create a unique image or logo in response to a prompt, which is a short text description of what kind of image you're seeking. The Midjourney Bot will interpret your description and produce an image in response. Heads up: You'll need to accept Midjourney's terms of service to proceed with image creation -- and be mindful to respect its community guidelines along the way. Step 3: After you submit a text prompt for Midjourney's image creation, it will create four unique image options in less than a minute. The image creation process utilizes GPUs (graphics processing units), which accumulate and are tracked with your Midjourney subscription. Each minute used to complete a job is considered a GPU Minute. If you run out, you can purchase more Fast Hours (which are used to generate images). To see your remaining time, type /info into Discord and look at Fast Time Remaining. Step 4: Time to get creative! Now you can select one of the four images created, or generate more variations from what Midjourney produces. Images are immediately generated at 1,024x1,024 pixels size.You can also Re-Run or Re-Roll the prompt and produce a new grid of images. Step 5: Once you've singled out an image from your set, various options become available, including creating a Strong or Subtle Variation of your selected image. Zoom, Pan, Favorite or Web, which opens the image up in your gallery on Midjourney's website. Step 6: Now that you've produced, refined and created your final image, you can save it by opening the image in full view, then right-click and choose Save Image. On Mobile, long-tap the image and then click the Download icon in the top right corner. Other tools to check out within Midjourney are its one-on-one direct messaging capabilities, tips and tricks for writing prompts and how to use the /blend command when creating images. With all AI-generated images, there's a sense of surrealism that doesn't necessarily align with my vision for a business logo. I think Midjourney has a better chance of being a stock photo substitute rather than a system for churning out creative business logos. Since it's connected to Discord, which originated as a gaming communication platform, my take is that Midjourney's AI-created images fit into more of a gamer's fantastical land than an entrepreneur's need for brand identity, but perhaps that is its intention. I'm a huge advocate for using AI to increase efficiency and productivity. However, this specific AI tool isn't for me, nor do I think any designers have to worry about Midjourney replacing them in the creative workforce. Still undecided? Check out images created within Midjourney via its Instagram, and read about our experiment with using Midjourney to create custom wedding invitations.

Midjourney has significantly improved its AI image generation capabilities, particularly with the launch of its website, which offers better usability and aesthetics compared to Discord. This Midjourney beginners guide created by Futurepedia explains how to get started with Midjourney's extensive features, including detailed parameters, effective prompting systems, style references, and unique workflows to help you get the most out of the platform. Whether you're a beginner just starting to explore AI image generation, this guide will provide the insights and strategies you need to master Midjourney and create stunning, high-quality images. Midjourney's dedicated website significantly enhances usability and aesthetics over the Discord interface. The website's clean, intuitive design makes navigation and image generation a breeze, allowing you to focus on the creative process. However, to access the website, you must first generate 100 images using the Discord bot. This requirement ensures that you have a solid understanding of the basic functionalities and prompting techniques before diving into the more advanced features available on the website. The Explore tab on the Midjourney website is an invaluable resource for finding inspiration and discovering the vast possibilities of AI image generation. This section allows you to browse and sort a wide variety of generated images based on various criteria, such as popularity, recency, and specific styles or themes. By studying these examples, you can gain insights into effective prompting techniques and find visual styles that resonate with your own creative vision. When you're ready to start generating your own images, the Prompt bar is where the magic happens. This is where you input the keywords and phrases that will guide Midjourney's AI in creating unique images based on your specifications. Fine-tuning these keywords is crucial to achieving high-quality, relevant results. Experiment with different combinations of descriptors, styles, and modifiers to hone in on the perfect prompt for your desired output. Here are a selection of other articles from our extensive library of content you may find of interest on the subject of different Midjourney styles you can use to change the results of your prompts and AI artwork: Understanding and effectively using Midjourney's extensive set of parameters is key to mastering the platform and achieving your desired results. These settings allow you to fine-tune various aspects of the image generation process, giving you greater control over the final output. Some of the most important parameters to familiarize yourself with include: By experimenting with these parameters and observing how they impact your generated images, you'll develop a deeper understanding of Midjourney's capabilities and how to effectively wield them to bring your creative visions to life. Crafting effective prompts is arguably the most critical skill in mastering Midjourney. The quality and relevance of your generated images depend heavily on how well you communicate your ideas and desired aesthetics to the AI. To structure your prompts for optimal results, consider the following elements: By carefully crafting your prompts with these elements in mind, you'll be able to guide Midjourney's AI more effectively, resulting in higher-quality, more coherent images that align with your creative intent. Midjourney offers a range of advanced features that allow you to refine and manipulate your generated images with greater precision. Some of the most powerful tools at your disposal include: By leveraging these advanced features, you can take your Midjourney creations to the next level, refining and polishing your images until they perfectly embody your intended aesthetic and communicate your ideas with clarity and impact. In addition to the core parameters and features, Midjourney offers a selection of special parameters that cater to more niche image generation applications. These include: While these special parameters may not be necessary for every project, they offer additional flexibility and creative possibilities for users with specific needs or experimental inclinations. To further enhance your Midjourney experience and streamline your creative workflow, consider incorporating additional resources and tools: By expanding your creative toolkit beyond Midjourney itself, you'll be able to work more efficiently, achieve more polished results, and unlock new possibilities for your AI-generated artwork. Midjourney is a powerful and versatile platform for AI image generation, offering a wide array of features and customization options to suit users of all skill levels and creative backgrounds. By mastering the techniques and strategies outlined in this guide -- from effective prompting and parameter tuning to advanced refinement and integration with complementary tools -- you'll be well-equipped to unleash your creative potential and generate stunning, unique images that captivate and inspire. The Midjourney team has also created an official Midjourney magazine showcasing the best creations every month.

Join our daily and weekly newsletters for the latest updates and exclusive content on industry-leading AI coverage. Learn More Amid intensifying competition in the AI image generation space from the likes of Elon Musk's permissive Grok-2 (powered by Black Forest Labs' open source Flux.1 model), one of the leaders is stepping up its game. Midjourney, which is hailed by many AI artists and designers as the preeminent and highest quality AI image generator, last night unveiled a new, updated version of its website containing a new editor interface that unifies various existing features such as inpainting (repainting parts of an image with new AI generated visuals using text prompts), outpaining/canvas extension (stretching the boundaries of the image in different directions and filling the new space with new AI visuals), and more into a single view. Watch a video of how to use the new menu from Midjourney below: Furthermore, the new web editor contains a new virtual "brush"-like tool for inpainting, replacing the previous square selector and lasso tools and allowing for more precision when it comes to using AI to edit parts of a prior generated image. The new web editor is now live and available to all users who have created at least 10 images on the platform. Users can access this tool by visiting midjourney.com/imagine. Previously, these features were accessible to Midjourney users on the web nested under more disparate menus. The goal, according to a Discord message sent from Midjourney CEO David Holz, is to make editing AI generations easier and more seamless. As Holz stated: "We think this makes editing your MJ images way more seamless than before and is a huge step forward." Indeed, early reactions from users are largely positive: More platform updates In addition to the web editor, Midjourney has introduced another feature aimed at improving communication between its web and Discord communities. Messages sent in certain Web Rooms are now mirrored in corresponding Discord channels and vice versa. This integration ensures that users across both platforms can stay in sync, regardless of where they choose to interact. The rooms with message mirroring include prompt-craft, general-1, and a special superuser room for those who have created more than 1,000 images. Coming at a contentious time for Midjourney and AI art generally The release of the new web editor and the message mirroring feature highlights Midjourney's commitment to continually enhancing the tools and community experiences it offers to its users, even as it faces down a class-action lawsuit from a group of artists accusing the startup of copyright violations for allegedly training en masse on their (and many other) copyrighted images without permission. Last week, the judge in that case denied Midjourney and other AI generator company defendants' bids to have the case dismissed and it is now proceeding toward discovery, which should allow lawyers for the artist plaintiffs who are suing to be able to peer through internal documents of the AI companies and reveal more about their training practices and datasets to the public. Holz also expressed gratitude for the community's patience during the development process and encouraged users to explore the new capabilities provided by the editor. As Midjourney continues to innovate and expand its platform, users can expect more updates and features aimed at improving the overall creative process and fostering a more connected community.

Unleash your creative potential with Midjourney's image editor The world of AI-generated imagery continues to evolve at a rapid pace, pushing the boundaries of digital creativity. Recently, Midjourney got a huge update and now the AI giant has added a new feature to its toolset: photo editing. This addition expands Midjourney's already impressive capabilities, offering users even more control over their AI-generated and real-world images. With Midjourney the possibilities are endless, from creating photorealistic images, to stickers and visualizing home decor. The introduction of its AI image editor marks a significant step forward in digital image manipulation. This new feature provides users with the tools to enhance, modify, and reimagine their visual content. In this guide, we'll explore how to access and effectively use Midjourney's AI image editor, helping you make the most of this innovative tool. Let's get started! As AI technology continues to advance, new tools and features emerge regularly. While Grok can make images using Flux, other platforms offer unique capabilities, such as the ability to create realistic AI videos in seconds with Runway Gen-3 Turbo. And if you're curious about Gemini, the free model is superior to Advanced in many aspects.

Need a logo for your business or artwork for a presentation? One option is to use an AI image generator like Midjourney. With this image creator, you describe the type of image you need and the site displays four high-quality renderings, which you can fine-tune and edit. You need a paid subscription to use Midjourney. The company has offered free trials in the past, but not consistently. Plans run between $10-$60 per month and $96-$576 per year. Each tier bumps up the speed of the responses and offers additional perks. To get a taste of Midjourney, you'll want to start with the basic plan to see how well it works for you. In the past, Midjourney required you to use Discord to create AI images. That required a lot of fiddling with text-based prompts, a process that could be clumsy and frustrating, especially for newbies. To appeal to a wider audience, Midjourney has since launched a dedicated website that's much easier and friendlier to use. Sign Up for Midjourney To get started, head to the Midjourney website and click the Sign Up button at the bottom of the home page. Signing up requires either a Google or Discord account. If you previously created images through Discord, you can use that account to retrieve your history and then merge your Discord and Google accounts to sign in with either one. After signing into the site, a sidebar on the left displays tabs for different sections. Select Explore to check out images other people have created. Filter the images by choosing different categories at the top, such as Random, Hot, Top Day (as well as Top Week or Top Month), and Likes. Click an image that interests you to view it full screen. You'll also find the prompt used to generate the image, which you can copy and use as the basis for your own image. Click the X to return to the image gallery. When you're ready to create your own images, click the Create tab on the left. At this point, you'll be prompted to sign up for one of the paid subscriptions. Click the Join Now button, choose the subscription tier you want, and follow the steps to pay for and activate your subscription. Generate an Image At the Create screen, generate an image by typing a prompt in the What will you imagine field at the top of the page. Add the necessary details to describe the image. You'll also want to indicate the style you want, such as watercolor, drawing, anime, or photorealistic. Press the Enter key to submit your prompt. In response, four images are generated that hopefully match your description. Adjust an Image Don't like the results? Modify the image by clicking the three-lined settings icon to the right of the prompt. Here, you can change options like the size, model, and aesthetics for the image. For example, you can change the aspect ratio among square, portrait, and landscape. You can also move the slider to tweak the stylization, weirdness, and variety. Hover over one of the options under Aesthetics to learn how it will change your image. Once you've made adjustments, copy and paste your previous prompt into the What will you imagine field and press Enter. Similar to Microsoft's Copilot and Google's Gemini, Midjourney will create a new set of four images based on the same prompt but using the options you adjusted. Hover over an image to display options for Vary Subtle and Vary Strong. Click on one and Midjourney will create a new batch of four images with subtle or strong variations based on the one you selected and the options you chose. Modify Images With Creation Actions Click an image that you like and wish to tweak further. That image then opens in a larger view. On the right side of the screen, different actions appear under Creation Actions. Hovering over a specific action explains what it does. The Vary action lets you change the image in a subtle or strong way. In response, Midjourney creates a new image with subtle or dramatic changes. To try this one, click Subtle or Strong. With the Upscale action, you can generate a larger image better suited for downloading or printing. For this one, click Subtle or Creative. Using the More action, you can run the same prompt again or go directly to the editor. You can also use the image, a style, or a prompt to revise it. Click Rerun or Editor. With the Use action, you can use the image, style, or original prompt to generate a new image. Try some of the different actions. Each time you select one, a new series of four images is generated. You'll want to limit the number of actions you choose; otherwise you'll end up with a lot of new images. When you're done, return to the Create screen to see the new sets of images. Edit an Image Choose an image from the Create screen. Midjourney has a built-in editor through which you can make more changes to an image. Click Editor on the right. In the editing screen, zoom in or out on the image by moving the Scale slider at the top. Here, you can also change the aspect ratio by selecting one of the presets. You're then able to move the image around the canvas by dragging the four-arrow icon in the middle. For example, you can shrink the image to add more content to the left, right, top, or bottom. When done, click Submit and return to the Create screen to see the newly generated images. Again, select the image you want to use moving forward. Next, you're able to change parts of the image based on revisions to your prompt. For instance, you could add a new element to your image by erasing the part that you want to change, and then adding the new information to the prompt. After submitting the new prompt, Midjourney generates a new set of images to the right of your current one. Click one of the new images to view it. Download and Organize Images Once you've chosen the image you like best, open it in its own window. Click the Download Image button on the right and select a location in which to save the file. Your image is then downloaded as a PNG file. You can view and organize all the images you've generated by clicking the Organize category on the left. Right-click on a specific image to access a menu where you can like, hide, modify, copy, or save the image. Click the Organize button on the right to display a sidebar. Here, you can create folders to save your images, filter the list of images by different criteria, and play with the layout and image size.