What is a prompt?
A prompt is textual input or a command for a generative AI tool that allows you to achieve the desired result (output). To arrive at a concrete and usable result, generative AI tools process information such as the goal, desired style, target audience, and type of product.
The importance of a good prompt
A good prompt is specific, clear, and creative. It provides the AI tool with enough information to work with but also leaves room for creativity. If your prompt contains too little, too much, or unclear information, it can lead to incorrect or incomplete output. For example, the generated text may not match your institution's brand tone, appeal to a completely different target audience, or even produce an incomplete or incorrect result. Writing prompts is an art in itself.
Example:
‘Create a text for an exhibition’ is an example of a poor prompt. If you enter this into ChatGPT 3.5, you get the following output:
Title: Entangled Worlds: A Journey through Time and Space
Welcome to "Entangled Worlds," an exhibition that takes you on a fascinating journey through time and space. Step inside and discover a boundless universe of connections, contrasts, and surprises.
Because the prompt is too general and provides little information, the generative AI tool fills in the missing information itself. For example, the prompt lacks essential information about the exhibition's background, when it takes place, the text's purpose (e.g., press release, social media post, or online ad), and much more. Fortunately, there are various guidelines you can follow to make your prompt more effective.
Tips for effective prompts
1. Use natural language
Write prompts as if you're talking to a person. Generative AI databases are trained with data from written language. The results (output) are more accurate when you use spoken or written language.
Don't | Do | ||
| Prompt: ‘Post Instagram about exhibition.’ | Prompt: ‘Create an Instagram post about an exhibition.’ | ||
| Output: ‘If you mean an exhibition being promoted on Instagram, there are various ways to approach this…’ | Output: ‘Discover the enchanting works of emerging and established artists at "Timeless Expressions." From vibrant paintings to intriguing sculptures, this exhibition has something for everyone. Visit, get inspired! Tag a friend and share to invite others to experience the magic of "Timeless Expressions." #TimelessExpressions #ArtExhibition #Art #Gallery #Creativity #Inspiration #Artists #ArtGalleryXYZ’ |
In the example above, the output shows that the task (writing a post) is unclear. As a result, you get tips to write a post yourself. The prompt written in natural language, however, provides the desired result: an example of an Instagram post.
2. Be specific
Provide clear and detailed instructions. This increases the likelihood of appropriate and usable output. For instance, when generating a text for social media, you can specify the platform and the text's purpose. Complex tasks are better divided into steps or different prompts.
A good prompt includes the following information:
| For creating or editing text | For creating or editing an image or video | ||||
Role | e.g.: content writer, artistic director, or curator | e.g.: marketer or video artist | ||||
Target | e.g.: youth, jazz enthusiasts, or donors | |||||
Task | e.g.: brainstorm, write, summarize, structure, 10 ideas | e.g.: sketch, draw, or create | ||||
Form | e.g.: summary, article, policy document, Instagram post, headline, or table | e.g.: trailer, image for Instagram post, event poster, realistic photo | ||||
Desired style | e.g.: formal, persuasive, narrative | e.g.: black-and-white photo, a specific time period (1930s), a specific style (Art Nouveau), in the style of an artist (Mondrian) | ||||
Further requirements | Specific information you want to include or exclude in the output or references to examples | |||||
When we specify the prompt about a text for an exhibition, we get the following result.
Prompt: ‘Create a text about an exhibition on geometric shapes in contemporary art. It is a temporary exhibition in March and April 2024. The goal is to attract more visitors. The text is for Instagram and should be no more than 50 words.’
Output: ‘Discover the abstract beauty of geometric shapes in contemporary art! Be enchanted by colorful compositions and clean lines. This temporary exhibition, March and April 2024, is a must-see for art lovers! #GeometricArt2024 #AbstractBeauty’
The extra information in this prompt ensures that the text is factually correct and suitable for posting on Instagram.
3. Leave room for creativity
Almost directly opposite to 'being specific' is leaving enough room for interpretation of the input. This space enables unexpected, unique, and/or inspiring creations that go beyond conventional boundaries.
Prompt:
‘You are a creative thinker. Create a short creative text about an exhibition on geometric shapes in contemporary art. It is an exhibition in March and April 2024. The goal is to attract more visitors. The text is for Instagram.
Output:
‘🔶 Enter the world of perfect symmetries and boundless imagination! 🎨 Our exhibition, shrouded in the splendor of geometric shapes, is a true ode to the art of balance. Be enchanted by sharp lines, captivating patterns, and harmonious compositions that embody the essence of modernism.
🔷 Discover the deeper meaning behind every angle and curve as you embark on a journey through the geometric dimension of contemporary art. A unique experience, available only for a limited time in March and April 2024!
🔶 Tag your friends and come together to discover the magic of geometric art. Lose yourself in a world of pure aesthetics and be inspired by the endless possibilities of form and structure. Don't miss out! ✨
#GeometricArt #Exhibition2024 #ArtExperience’
By adding the word 'creative' twice in the above prompt, you get a completely different result. The text can now be described as 'abstractly artistic,' and emojis appear. Adjusting the word limit allows for an interpretation of an appropriate text length.
4. Test different prompts
Working with generative AI is a matter of testing and learning. By trying out different formulations, you can determine what delivers the best results for you. Continuously adjust your prompts until you achieve the desired result.
We illustrate this by building on the earlier example of an Instagram post about a new exhibition. Below are two examples where we added one sentence about the target audience. The description of the target audience differs.
Prompt: | Prompt: | ||
Output: #GeometricArt #TheHague #Exhibition2024 #ArtJunkies #YouthArt’ | Output: #GeometricArt #Exhibition2024 #ArtExperience #CreativeExploration’ |
In this example, you see two different prompts used, each with a different approach. In the example on the left, young people are specifically mentioned in the text, and the language is 'made' or 'childish.' The output on the right is probably more suitable for appealing to young people.
5. Build on the output
The result of your (initial) prompt doesn’t always meet expectations. Provide follow-up instructions to rewrite, shorten, adjust the style, or give other instructions to better align the result with your wishes. This not only improves your output but also teaches you how to do this better next time.
Perfecting a text, image, or video remains human work. Even after multiple instructions, a generative AI tool doesn’t always create the desired result. Adding your organization’s tone of voice or signature is best done manually. Generative AI tools mainly assist in quickly and easily creating a concept version or inspiring example that you can then refine yourself.
Get started!
We hope these tips help you get started with writing your prompts. Finding the right balance between clear instructions and room for creativity is best learned through trial and error. One final tip: share good prompts with colleagues so they don’t have to reinvent the wheel.
Are you ready to put your knowledge about prompting into practice? In this article, we share the most commonly used generative AI tools with you.
Disclaimer
The use of generative AI tools has limitations, such as data security, privacy, and bias. For example, you should never include personal data or other privacy-sensitive information in your prompt. It’s also important to critically assess the accuracy of the output. DEN aims to inform the cultural sector about the possibilities of generative AI tools and is not responsible for (incorrect) applications.
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