10 KiB
Asset Generation Workflow
Complete workflow for generating design-aligned visual assets using ck:ai-multimodal skill.
Generation Workflow
Step 1: Define Design Context
Before generating, extract from the design brief:
- Aesthetic direction: Minimalist? Maximalist? Brutalist? Organic?
- Color palette: Primary colors, accent colors, mood
- Typography character: Modern sans-serif? Elegant serif? Bold display?
- Visual tone: Professional? Playful? Luxury? Raw?
- User context: Who sees this? What problem does it solve?
Step 2: Craft Contextual Prompts
Translate design thinking into generation prompts.
Generic (❌ Avoid):
"Modern website hero image"
Design-Driven (✓ Use):
"Brutalist architectural photograph, stark concrete textures,
dramatic shadows, high contrast black and white, raw unpolished
surfaces, geometric shapes, monumental scale, inspired by
1960s Bauhaus, 16:9 aspect ratio"
Prompt Components:
- Style/Movement: "Neo-brutalism", "Art Deco", "Organic modernism"
- Visual Elements: Textures, shapes, composition style
- Color Direction: "Muted earth tones", "Vibrant neon accents", "Monochromatic"
- Mood/Atmosphere: "Serene", "Energetic", "Mysterious"
- Technical Specs: Aspect ratio, composition focus
- References: "Inspired by [artist/movement]"
Step 3: Generate with Appropriate Model
Use ck:ai-multimodal skill's image generation capabilities:
# Standard quality (most cases)
python scripts/gemini_batch_process.py \
--task generate \
--prompt "[your design-driven prompt]" \
--output docs/assets/hero-image \
--model imagen-4.0-generate-001 \
--aspect-ratio 16:9
# Ultra quality (production hero images, marketing)
python scripts/gemini_batch_process.py \
--task generate \
--prompt "[your design-driven prompt]" \
--output docs/assets/hero-ultra \
--model imagen-4.0-ultra-generate-001 \
--size 2K
# Fast iteration (exploring concepts)
python scripts/gemini_batch_process.py \
--task generate \
--prompt "[your design-driven prompt]" \
--output docs/assets/concept \
--model imagen-4.0-fast-generate-001
Model Selection:
- imagen-4.0-generate-001: Default choice, balanced quality/speed
- imagen-4.0-ultra-generate-001: Final production assets, marketing materials
- imagen-4.0-fast-generate-001: Rapid prototyping, multiple variations
Aspect Ratios:
- 16:9: Hero sections, wide banners
- 9:16: Mobile-first, vertical content
- 1:1: Square cards, social media
- 4:3: Classic layouts, presentations
- 3:4: Portrait orientations, mobile screens
Step 4: Evaluate Against Design Standards
Use ck:ai-multimodal to analyze the generated asset (see visual-analysis.md for complete workflow):
python scripts/gemini_batch_process.py \
--files docs/assets/hero-image.png \
--task analyze \
--prompt "Evaluate this image for:
1. Visual coherence with [aesthetic direction]
2. Color harmony and contrast
3. Composition and balance
4. Suitability for overlaying text
5. Professional quality (rate 1-10)
6. Specific weaknesses or improvements needed" \
--output docs/assets/hero-evaluation.md \
--model gemini-2.5-flash
Step 5: Iterate or Integrate
If evaluation score < 7/10 or doesn't meet standards:
- Identify specific issues (color, composition, mood, technical)
- Refine prompt with improvements
- Regenerate with adjusted parameters
- Consider using
ck:media-processingskill for post-generation adjustments
If meets standards:
- Optimize for web (compress, format conversion)
- Create responsive variants if needed
- Document asset usage guidelines
- Integrate into frontend implementation
Design Pattern Examples
Pattern 1: Minimalist Background Texture
Design Context: Clean, refined interface with generous white space
Prompt Strategy:
"Subtle paper texture, off-white color (#F8F8F8), barely visible
grain pattern, high-end stationery feel, minimal contrast,
professional and clean, 1:1 aspect ratio for tiling"
Use Case: Background for minimalist product pages, portfolio sites
Pattern 2: Maximalist Hero Section
Design Context: Bold, energetic landing page with vibrant colors
Prompt Strategy:
"Explosive color gradients, neon pink to electric blue,
holographic reflections, dynamic diagonal composition,
retrofuturistic aesthetic, vaporwave influence, high energy,
layered transparency effects, 16:9 cinematic"
Use Case: Hero section for creative agencies, entertainment platforms
Pattern 3: Brutalist Geometric Pattern
Design Context: Raw, bold interface with strong typography
Prompt Strategy:
"Monochromatic geometric pattern, overlapping rectangles,
stark black and white, high contrast, Swiss design influence,
grid-based composition, architectural precision, repeatable
pattern for backgrounds"
Use Case: Background pattern for design studios, architecture firms
Pattern 4: Organic Natural Elements
Design Context: Wellness brand, calming user experience
Prompt Strategy:
"Soft botanical watercolor, sage green and cream tones,
gentle leaf shadows, natural light quality, serene atmosphere,
minimal detail for text overlay, 3:4 portrait orientation"
Use Case: Hero section for wellness brands, eco-friendly products
Pattern 5: Retro-Futuristic
Design Context: Tech product with nostalgic twist
Prompt Strategy:
"80s computer graphics aesthetic, wireframe grids, cyan and magenta
gradients, digital sunrise, Tron-inspired, geometric precision,
nostalgic future vision, 16:9 widescreen"
Use Case: SaaS landing pages, tech conferences, gaming platforms
Pattern 6: Editorial Magazine Style
Design Context: Content-heavy site with strong visual hierarchy
Prompt Strategy:
"High-contrast editorial photography, dramatic side lighting,
stark shadows, black and white, fashion magazine quality,
strong vertical composition, 3:4 portrait for text layout"
Use Case: Blog headers, news sites, content platforms
Prompt Engineering Best Practices
1. Be Specific About Style
❌ "Modern design" ✓ "Bauhaus-inspired geometric abstraction with primary colors"
2. Define Color Precisely
❌ "Colorful" ✓ "Vibrant sunset palette: coral (#FF6B6B), amber (#FFB84D), violet (#A66FF0)"
3. Specify Composition
❌ "Nice layout" ✓ "Rule of thirds composition, subject left-aligned, negative space right for text overlay"
4. Reference Movements/Artists
❌ "Artistic" ✓ "Inspired by Bauhaus geometric abstraction and Swiss International Style"
5. Technical Requirements First
Always include: aspect ratio, resolution needs, intended use case
6. Iterate Strategically
- First generation: Broad aesthetic exploration
- Second generation: Refine color and composition
- Third generation: Fine-tune details and mood
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
❌ Generic Stock Photo Aesthetics
Don't prompt: "Professional business team working together" Instead: Design-specific, contextual imagery that serves the interface
❌ Overcomplex Generated Images
Generated assets that compete with UI elements create visual chaos Keep backgrounds subtle enough for text/button overlay
❌ Inconsistent Visual Language
Each generated asset should feel part of the same design system Maintain color palette, visual style, mood consistency
❌ Ignoring Integration Context
Assets aren't standalone—consider how they work with:
- Typography overlays
- Interactive elements (buttons, forms)
- Navigation and UI chrome
- Responsive behavior across devices
Responsive Asset Strategy
Desktop-First Approach
- Generate primary asset at 16:9 (desktop hero)
- Generate mobile variant at 9:16 with same prompt
- Ensure focal point works in both orientations
Mobile-First Approach
- Generate primary asset at 9:16 (mobile hero)
- Generate desktop variant at 16:9 with same prompt
- Test that composition scales effectively
Variant Generation
# Desktop (16:9)
python scripts/gemini_batch_process.py \
--task generate \
--prompt "[prompt]" \
--output docs/assets/hero-desktop \
--model imagen-4.0-generate-001 \
--aspect-ratio 16:9
# Mobile (9:16)
python scripts/gemini_batch_process.py \
--task generate \
--prompt "[same prompt]" \
--output docs/assets/hero-mobile \
--model imagen-4.0-generate-001 \
--aspect-ratio 9:16
# Square (1:1)
python scripts/gemini_batch_process.py \
--task generate \
--prompt "[same prompt]" \
--output docs/assets/hero-square \
--model imagen-4.0-generate-001 \
--aspect-ratio 1:1
Model Cost Optimization
Imagen 4 Pricing (as of 2024):
- Standard: ~$0.04 per image
- Ultra: ~$0.08 per image
- Fast: ~$0.02 per image
Optimization Strategy:
- Use Fast model for exploration (3-5 variations)
- Select best direction, generate with Standard model
- Use Ultra only for final production assets
- Batch generate variations in single session
Complete Example Workflow
# 1. Fast exploration (3 variations)
python scripts/gemini_batch_process.py \
--task generate \
--prompt "Minimalist mountain landscape, muted blue-gray tones,
fog layers, serene morning atmosphere, clean for text overlay, 16:9" \
--output docs/assets/concept-1 \
--model imagen-4.0-fast-generate-001 \
--aspect-ratio 16:9
# 2. Analyze best variation
python scripts/gemini_batch_process.py \
--files docs/assets/concept-1.png \
--task analyze \
--prompt "Rate 1-10 for aesthetic quality, color harmony, text overlay suitability" \
--output docs/assets/analysis-1.md \
--model gemini-2.5-flash
# 3. If score ≥ 7/10, generate production version
python scripts/gemini_batch_process.py \
--task generate \
--prompt "[refined prompt based on analysis]" \
--output docs/assets/hero-final \
--model imagen-4.0-generate-001 \
--aspect-ratio 16:9
# 4. Generate mobile variant
python scripts/gemini_batch_process.py \
--task generate \
--prompt "[same refined prompt]" \
--output docs/assets/hero-mobile \
--model imagen-4.0-generate-001 \
--aspect-ratio 9:16
Next Steps
- Verify quality: See
visual-analysis.mdfor comprehensive analysis workflow - Optimize assets: See
technical-guide.mdfor file optimization and integration - Extract inspiration: See
design-extraction.mdto learn from existing designs