A good first AI image project has a clear destination. You might need a background for a flyer, a visual for a social post, or a concept to discuss with a client. Choosing that destination gives you a way to judge the result beyond whether it looks impressive.
This guide walks through a small practice project using Nano Banana, Gemini’s image-generation capability. The example is a promotional image for an imaginary creative workshop. You can adapt the same approach to your own subject.
Start with a one-sentence brief
Write down who the image is for, where it will appear and what it should communicate. For our example, the brief is “Create a welcoming image for a beginner photography workshop, with space for a headline.” That sentence already suggests a subject, a mood and a layout requirement.
Decide which details matter before generating anything. A workshop image could show a camera on a desk, an instructor demonstrating a technique, or a student taking a picture. Choose one direction for your first attempt. Combining all three can make the composition harder to read.
Describe the picture you want to see
Google’s prompting guidance recommends describing the subject, composition, action, location and style. Put those choices into a coherent description. Specify the lighting and placement when they matter to your design. Read Google’s image-prompting guidance.
Try this original practice prompt:
Create a landscape promotional photograph for a beginner photography workshop. A mirrorless camera and an open notebook sit on a warm wooden desk beside a window. Soft morning light, natural colours, inviting atmosphere. Place the objects on the right half and leave a simple, uncluttered area on the left for a headline. No lettering or logos.
The empty area is a design decision. It gives you room to add editable text later. Keeping the image and headline separate also makes it easier to reuse the visual with a different message.
Review the result against the brief
Look at the overall arrangement before inspecting small details. Is there enough space for the headline? Does the camera read clearly at the size of a phone screen? Does the scene feel welcoming? Then inspect object shapes, edges and shadows for distracting errors.
Write one short sentence about the biggest problem. “The desk is too crowded” is more useful than “I don’t like it.” A specific observation leads to a specific revision and helps you learn which instructions affect your result.
Refine one decision at a time
For this exercise, change only one aspect between attempts. If the layout works but the mood feels cold, ask for warmer lighting while keeping the object placement. If the visual is attractive but unusable behind a headline, ask for more clear space on the left.
Save the prompt and the version you prefer. A simple naming system such as workshop-layout-01 and workshop-lighting-02 makes comparison easier. Keep a note of why you selected the final version. Over several projects, these notes become a practical record of your own creative decisions.
Finish the image for its destination
Place the image into a draft social post or flyer and add the actual headline. Check the crop, text contrast and reading order. An image that works alone may need a different crop once the full design is assembled.
Before sharing, inspect the exported file at its intended display size. For client work, agree on the use of generated imagery and use reference material you have permission to work with.
Your practice assignment
Create three versions of the workshop image using the same subject and layout. Change only the lighting mood between versions. Assemble each into the same simple promotional layout and choose the version that supports the message best. Explain your choice in two sentences.
Continue with the course
For a guided introduction to prompts, lighting, composition and realistic or cinematic imagery, explore Generating Stunning AI Images with Nano Banana (Complete Tutorial) on Skillzz Up. Bring your workshop brief along so you can apply the ideas to a concrete project.
