At Obeekyo, we believe in the power of artistic innovation and the incredible potential of AI technology. In addition to our collection of original artwork, we harness the capabilities of AI-generated art to enhance our creative process. Through thoughtful curation and meticulous customization, we transform AI-generated visuals into remarkable and distinctive creations that captivate a diverse range of tastes and interests.
In today’s fast-paced digital age, technology has opened up new possibilities for artists and creators to explore their imaginations and push the boundaries of their craft.
One of the most exciting advancements in this realm is the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into the creative process. AI, a branch of computer science that simulates intelligent behavior, has found its way into various industries, including art and design. In this blog post, we’ll delve into the remarkable world of AI-assisted creativity, specifically focusing on the transformative power of two cutting-edge AI tools: Midjourney® and Firefly®.
At its core, AI refers to the ability of computer systems to perform tasks that would typically require human intelligence. From self-driving cars to voice assistants and recommendation algorithms, AI has become an integral part of our daily lives. However, its applications in the realm of art and design are just as fascinating. AI can now generate stunning visual content, inspiring a new wave of creative exploration and innovation.
Enter Midjourney®, an AI platform that has captured the attention of artists and designers around the world. With its advanced algorithms and machine learning capabilities, Midjourney® takes creative possibilities to unprecedented heights. By providing an initial prompt or input, Midjourney® generates breathtaking imagery that fuels the imagination. The generated outputs often surprise and inspire us, serving as a catalyst for further artistic exploration.
But the journey doesn’t end there- Enter Adobe® Firefly, a new, powerful AI-assisted editing tool (in its BETA stage) that allows artists to refine and enhance their AI-generated creations. With its intuitive interface and an array of editing options, Firefly® empowers artists to shape their visions, add personalized touches, and bring their art to life in new and captivating ways.
Throughout this blog post, we’ll take you on a tour of one of our creative processes, showcasing how AI, Midjourney®, and Firefly® converge to unlock a world of artistic possibilities, by creating Growboto, our sweet little robot. We’ll explore the intricacies of using AI-generated imagery, from an initial prompt to the final masterpiece, providing insights, tips, and firsthand experiences to inspire and guide you in your own creative endeavors.
CONCERNS OVER AI
While the integration of AI in the creative process has sparked debates and raised concerns among some artists, we believe it is important to view it as an evolution rather than a threat to traditional artistic methods. Just as digital photography and digital art were met with skepticism in their early days, AI is now facing a similar response.
It is crucial to recognize that AI is not a replacement for human creativity, but rather a powerful tool that can enhance and expand our artistic horizons. Like any tool, it is the artist’s vision, skill, and discernment that ultimately shape the final outcome.
AI serves as a collaborator, sparking new ideas and offering possibilities that might not have been otherwise explored. It is not about taking shortcuts or cheating; it is about embracing technological advancements to push the boundaries of artistic expression.
Rather than fearing the rise of AI, we can embrace it as a catalyst for inspiration, enabling us to create in ways that were previously unimaginable. The marriage of human creativity and AI’s computational power unlocks a world of uncharted artistic territories, inviting us to embrace innovation and redefine what it means to be a creator.
THE PROMPT
Meghan Trainor sang, “Its all about that bass”, but as far as Midjourney® is concerned- it’s all about that prompt. Let’s go over what a prompt is, and how we use them to craft images.
A ‘prompt’ serves as the starting point for the creative process with AI. Think of it as a seed that you plant to nurture your artistic vision.
A prompt is a simple, open-ended instruction or description that you provide to the AI model. It could be as straightforward as a single sentence or a few keywords that capture the essence of what you want to create.
The AI uses your prompt to generate a range of visual possibilities, exploring different styles, compositions, and elements.
It’s a collaborative dance between human creativity and the AI’s computational power, where you guide the direction while also embracing the unexpected. The beauty of using prompts is that they can spark ideas, and inspire new directions.
LET’S DIG IN
Let’s begin our journey with creating Growboto, our sweet little plant growing robot.
Starting with Midjourney®, we entered a pretty straight forward prompt. “Create an illustration of a robot, have him holding a little clay flowerpot with a baby plant growing out of it. Isolate the image on a white background. –ar 1:2 –niji 5″
Parameters in the form of double hyphens are used to delineate specific settings or options. For instance, you can utilize “–ar 22:17” to specify the aspect ratio or “–v 5” to indicate a particular mode.
We wanted a long image, so we asked for a ratio of 1:2, and employed the use of the Niji5 engine (a specific AI model trained for generating anime-style art).
Your prompt generates four images in response. These images are displayed in a grid format, with two on the top row and two on the bottom row. Each image is assigned a number for reference: image 1 is located in the top left, image 2 in the top right, image 3 in the bottom left, and image 4 in the bottom right.
The “U” options are for Upsizing. If you come across an image that you particularly like and want to enhance its resolution or size, you can choose the “U” option followed by the corresponding number of the image you want to upsize. This allows you to maintain the aesthetic appeal while working with a larger, more detailed version of that specific image.
Additionally, the “V” options are for Versions. If you find an image that catches your eye and you wish to see variations of it, you can utilize the “V” option along with the corresponding number. This feature generates different versions of the selected image, exploring alternative visual styles, color schemes, or composition variations.
Lastly, the “Regenerate” option takes your initial prompt and generates a fresh set of four images. This enables you to discover diverse visual interpretations based on the same prompt, fostering experimentation and encouraging you to explore different artistic directions.
With these options you have the power to customize, iterate, and discover captivating visuals that align with your creative vision.
WE’VE UPSCALED GROWBOTO
Now that we have our basic, upscaled, little Growboto, there are some cosmetic changes that need to be made, off to Adobe® Photoshop we go!
On the docket: fix Growboto’s hand, the bottom of the pot, and the loose cable on his leg.
Choosing the lasso tool, we outlined his hand, right mouse clicked, and chose Content-Aware Fill. We then did the same with the bottom of his arm, cleaned up all the lines around him, and went on to removing the wire on his leg.
REMEMBER THE DETAILS
After removing the old bits, and adding the new bits, we dive in to more of the details. We like to begin by alternating primarily between two filters in Photoshop- the Oil Paint filter, and the Sharpening filter. The Oil Paint will smooth out colors and some more of the pixelization. We use layers so the original is always available for reference.
In the below image you can see the original image on the left and the edited version on the right.
Once we are happy with the filters, we start adding more details- lines, colors, etc. Even at this size, you can see the difference between the two images, both in content and in quality.
Next we took our little robot in to Adobe® Photoshop’s AI BETA mode, Firefly, to build him a magnificent, new environment.
With Growboto on his own layer, we added a new layer behind him.
Choosing the whole new layer, we entered our prompt in to the generative fill box, “create an anime style background of a space station”. We regenerated the prompt several times before finding one that fit the mood we were trying to portray.
Next, we wanted Growboto standing on a mountain of metallic garbage. Same idea: use the lasso tool on the space station layer to choose where we want the image to appear, and enter the prompt, “create a pile of old technology”.
You can use the Generate button to regenerate new images based off your prompt, then cycle through the choices using the arrows. The image below shows option 1/9 of Growboto’s little mountain. Keep switching up your options, or create a whole new prompt to see where that takes you!
AND, VOILÀ!
Keep in mind, the story ends when you want it to! Want to add a spaceship? Lasso the area, then add your generative fill prompt, hit enter, *BAM* a spaceship.
Midjourney® and Firefly® are just two examples of the exciting AI technologies that are revolutionizing the creative landscape. As the field of AI continues to advance, there is a growing number of options available for artists and creatives to explore.
From AI-powered image generators and style transfer algorithms to virtual assistants and automated design tools, the possibilities are expanding rapidly. Some other notable AI tools worth exploring include Artbreeder®, RunwayML®, and Google’s DeepDream®.
In conclusion, we hope this journey through one of our creative processes using AI, Midjourney®, and Firefly® has ignited your imagination and opened your eyes to the potential of this remarkable technology. From the moment we enter a simple prompt to the final strokes of artistic refinement, we have witnessed the fusion of human ingenuity and AI’s computational prowess, resulting in captivating and unique creations like Growboto, our adorable robot companion.
By sharing our insights, tips, and firsthand experiences, our aim is to empower and inspire you on your own creative path. Whether you’re a seasoned artist looking to explore new horizons or a curious beginner eager to embrace cutting-edge tools, we encourage you to embrace the possibilities that AI offers. It’s an exciting time for the world of art and design, where traditional methods merge harmoniously with technological advancements.
A NOTE
To fully experience the creative potential of Midjourney® and Firefly®, an account is required for both platforms. With Firefly® being in open beta, you’ll need an Adobe® Creative Cloud account, which provides access to a wide range of powerful tools and features that seamlessly integrate with Firefly’s® AI editing capabilities. For Midjourney®, you’ll also need an account, which is available through various subscription tiers catering to different needs and preferences.
These accounts ensure that you have access to the full suite of features, updates, and support, empowering you to explore the vast possibilities of AI-assisted creativity. They offer a user-friendly interface and a robust ecosystem where you can unleash your imagination and bring your artistic visions to life.
–
Side note, Obeekyo holds no affiliations with any of the companies and/or AI programs laid out in this post, we simply believe in the extraordinary future that AI holds.
LINKS APPENDIX
Midjourney: https://www.midjourney.com
Adobe Creative Suite: https://www.adobe.com
Firefly: https://firefly.adobe.com/
–
The Beginner Guide To Getting Started With MidJourney: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jytmYCC5OtE
Photoshop + A.I. Generative Fill: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M0HUMdQiRWY
–
Artbreeder: https://www.artbreeder.com/
RunwayML: https://runwayml.com/
DeepDream: https://deepdreamgenerator.com/
OpenArt: https://openart.ai/
–
30 Most Powerful AI Tools: https://geekflare.com/most-powerful-ai-tools-list/
© 2023 Obeekyo • All Rights Reserved
All items available on our website are intended for personal use only.
You may not sell, distribute, or use them for commercial purposes without obtaining proper permission.
