1.3 – Understanding Prompt Structure Lesson

Lesson Overview

This lesson introduces a practical approach to writing prompts for ChatGPT’s image creation feature using a formula called “SCENIC.” Instead of typing off-the-cuff requests and hoping for the best, the SCENIC structure helps you organize your creative ideas into a clear, detailed description that the AI can understand and execute more reliably.

Each part of SCENIC stands for a key visual detail you might want in an image: Subject, Context, Environment, Natural lighting, Image framing, and Creative medium/style. By thinking through each point, you give ChatGPT all the information needed to produce a scene that matches your vision. For example, whether you want a fantasy portrait, a realistic product shot, or an illustrated character, specifying these elements brings sharper, more professional results.

The lesson explains why prompt structure matters—especially when you’re aiming for consistency and efficiency. It shows you how each SCENIC element gives ChatGPT a creative “anchor,” making your commands less ambiguous and your outputs more predictable. By the end, you’ll have a step-by-step method to apply to any sort of image you want to generate throughout this course and beyond.

Who This Is For

Anyone looking to improve the quality and control of their prompts for ChatGPT’s image generator will benefit from this lesson. It’s especially helpful for:

• Content creators who need images that match a specific idea or mood
• Educators looking to generate custom visuals for lessons or presentations
• Marketers creating branded materials or promotional graphics
• Solo business owners wanting consistent visual content without a design team
• Creative hobbyists experimenting with digital art using AI tools

Where This Fits in a Workflow

A strong prompt structure comes into play any time you want to move beyond generic or hit-or-miss image generation. It’s especially useful at the start of a creative project—like when developing a branding campaign, visualizing storyboards, or exploring character ideas—because you can quickly iterate and refine concepts with clarity.

For example, you might use the SCENIC formula to brief ChatGPT on a new product photo for social media or to test multiple scene ideas for a book cover. By standardizing your prompts, you set a baseline for quality and consistency, making it easier to get repeatable results and refine details over time. This method supports everything from one-off image requests to full batches of related visuals, keeping creative projects on track.

Technical & Workflow Benefits

Without a prompt structure, image requests can be vague, leading to unpredictable or disappointing results—requiring multiple retries and wasted time. The SCENIC approach flips this, offering a checklist that prompts ChatGPT with every detail it needs for clear output.

In practical terms, this means that instead of sending random, brief instructions, you can guide the AI more like a professional photographer briefing a client session. For instance, adding details about lighting or framing immediately affects the mood and layout, saving you from rounds of guesswork. Those working on visual projects for business or content creation will notice improved turnaround and higher satisfaction with generated images. Adjustments also become easier: if an image is off, you know exactly which part to tweak, leading to faster refinements and more polished outputs from the start.

Practice Exercise

Try applying the SCENIC formula to a real-world scenario. Imagine you need a header image for a travel blog article about “Morning Markets in Tokyo.”

**Steps:**

1. Write a prompt using the SCENIC components: Identify the subject (e.g., a market vendor), give context (arranging fresh fruit), specify the environment (busy outdoor Tokyo market), choose natural lighting (early morning sunlight streaming in), add image framing (over-the-shoulder, wide shot), and define creative style (vibrant, watercolor illustration).
2. Make sure each part is included in your prompt for clarity.
3. Generate the image and review the result. Reflect: Did including all six elements give you a result closer to your vision than a basic, single-sentence request?

Course Context Recap

This lesson introduces the structured “SCENIC” prompt method, forming the backbone for the rest of the course on AI-powered image creation with ChatGPT. Previously, you learned about what ChatGPT’s image generator can achieve—now, you have a practical structure to guide your prompts. Next, the course will put this framework into action with hands-on prompt building and image generation. Continue with the course to master each SCENIC component and improve your creative workflow with AI.