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3. Prompt Structure 🏗️

Learn how to organize your prompts for maximum effectiveness. A well-structured prompt is like a well-organized blueprint – it helps PODgram.ai understand exactly what you want to create.

The Anatomy of a Perfect Prompt

Think of your prompt as a recipe with specific ingredients in the right order:

Formula for Success

[MAIN SUBJECT] + [KEY DETAILS] + [STYLE/MOOD] + [TECHNICAL SPECS]

Example breakdown:

A golden retriever puppy [SUBJECT] 
wearing a red bandana, sitting in a flower field [DETAILS]
watercolor painting style, soft pastels, whimsical mood [STYLE]
high quality, detailed, commercial use [TECHNICAL]

🎯 The 4-Layer Approach

Layer 1: Core Subject (Most Important)

This is what your image is fundamentally about.

Examples:

  • "A mountain landscape"
  • "A coffee shop logo"
  • "A vintage car"
  • "A yoga instructor"

Layer 2: Essential Details

The key characteristics that make your subject specific.

Examples:

  • "snow-capped peaks with a crystal lake below"
  • "featuring a steaming cup and the text: 'Daily Grind'"
  • "1960s red convertible with chrome details"
  • "in lotus pose on a beach at sunrise"

Layer 3: Style & Atmosphere

How you want it to look and feel.

Examples:

  • "painted in impressionist style with soft brush strokes"
  • "modern minimalist design, clean lines"
  • "vintage photography, sepia tones, nostalgic mood"
  • "zen atmosphere, peaceful, golden hour lighting"

Layer 4: Technical Requirements

Specifications for your intended use.

Examples:

  • "high resolution, suitable for large prints"
  • "vector style, scalable, commercial use"
  • "studio lighting, product photography quality"
  • "social media format, eye-catching composition"

📋 Structure Templates by Use Case

For Logo Design

A [BUSINESS TYPE] logo featuring [MAIN ELEMENT] with the text: "[BUSINESS NAME]" in [FONT STYLE] typography, [COLOR SCHEME], professional design, scalable, simple clean aesthetic

Example:

A fitness gym logo featuring a mountain silhouette with the text: "Peak Performance" in bold sans-serif typography, black and orange colors, professional design, scalable, simple clean aesthetic

For T-Shirt Graphics

[MAIN GRAPHIC/MESSAGE] in [ARTISTIC STYLE], [COLOR DESCRIPTION], suitable for t-shirt printing, centered composition, isolated on [BACKGROUND COLOR]

Example:

A fierce lion head with geometric patterns in tribal art style, black and gold colors, suitable for t-shirt printing, centered composition, isolated on white background

For Poster Art

A [SUBJECT/SCENE] with the text: "[MESSAGE]" in [STYLE], [MOOD/ATMOSPHERE], poster format, [COLOR SCHEME], eye-catching composition, high contrast

Example:

A retro space scene with astronaut floating among stars with the text: "Explore Beyond" in vintage sci-fi style, adventurous atmosphere, poster format, blue and orange gradient, eye-catching composition, high contrast

For Product Mockups

[PRODUCT TYPE] featuring [DESIGN ELEMENTS], [SETTING/CONTEXT], professional product photography, [LIGHTING], high quality, commercial use, [SPECIFIC DETAILS]

Example:

Coffee mug featuring a minimalist mountain design, sitting on a wooden desk next to a laptop, professional product photography, soft natural lighting, high quality, commercial use, white ceramic finish

🎨 Advanced Structuring Techniques

The Sandwich Method

Place your most important elements at the beginning AND end of your prompt.

[CRITICAL ELEMENT] + [supporting details] + [style information] + [CRITICAL ELEMENT reinforcement]

Example:

Professional business logo + featuring an eagle in flight with the text: "Soar Consulting" + modern clean design, blue and silver colors + corporate professional branding

Priority Weighting

Use specific language to emphasize what matters most.

High priority phrases:

  • "focus on..."
  • "emphasize..."
  • "primary element..."
  • "most important..."

Example:

A nature landscape, focus on dramatic storm clouds over ocean waves, emphasize the contrast between dark sky and white foam, moody atmosphere, cinematic lighting

Negative Space Planning

Specify what should NOT be in your image early in the prompt.

A minimalist bedroom interior, NO clutter, NO bright colors, emphasize clean lines and neutral tones, scandinavian style, peaceful atmosphere

💡 Structure Optimization Tips

Word Order Matters

AI reads left-to-right, giving more weight to earlier words.

Better: "A majestic eagle soaring through mountain valleys" Worse: "Mountain valleys with an eagle that's majestic and soaring"

Use Comma Separation

Help AI parse different concepts clearly.

Good structure:

Vintage motorcycle, red paint with chrome details, parked outside 1950s diner, warm evening light, nostalgic atmosphere

Avoid Contradictions

Don't fight yourself within the same prompt.

Contradictory: "Modern vintage style"Clear: "Modern interpretation of vintage aesthetics"

Be Proportionally Descriptive

Spend more words on what matters most.

If the text is crucial (like for a logo), dedicate more prompt space to text details:

Professional law firm logo with the text: "Sterling & Associates" in elegant serif font, gold lettering on navy blue background, sophisticated typography with subtle legal scales icon

🔧 Structure Troubleshooting

If Results Are Too Generic

  • Add more specific details in Layer 2
  • Include unique style elements in Layer 3
  • Use more precise descriptive language

If Results Are Too Chaotic

  • Simplify your subject (Layer 1)
  • Remove conflicting style directions
  • Focus on one main concept

If Text Isn't Working

  • Move text requirements to the beginning
  • Use quote marks around exact text
  • Add typography style descriptions

If Style Isn't Right

  • Be more specific about artistic style
  • Add reference periods/movements
  • Include mood and atmosphere words

📝 Quick Structure Checklist

Before hitting generate, check your prompt:

Subject clearly stated first
Key details specified
Style/mood described
Technical needs included
Text in quotation marks
No contradictory elements
Most important items emphasized


🎯 Structure Examples by Goal

Maximum Detail

A steampunk-inspired mechanical dragon, intricate brass gears and copper plates, steam venting from joints, perched on a Victorian clocktower, golden hour lighting, dark storm clouds in background, cinematic composition, highly detailed digital art, fantasy concept art style

Commercial Simplicity

Coffee cup logo with the text: "Morning Boost", clean modern design, brown and cream colors, simple and professional

Artistic Expression

Abstract representation of music, flowing lines and vibrant colors representing sound waves, energetic movement, contemporary digital art, inspiration and creativity theme

A well-structured prompt is your roadmap to success. Take time to organize your thoughts before generating!

Next: Master the art of Handling Negatives to avoid unwanted elements in your designs.