Prompt Construction

Common prompt mistakes

Common pitfalls in writing AI design prompts

Common prompt pitfalls in Vizcom (and how to fix them)

Writing effective prompts is essential to achieving useful, high-quality outputs in Vizcom. Poorly constructed prompts can result in generic, contradictory, or technically implausible images that do not reflect your design vision. Below are four common mistakes, along with clearer explanations and improved examples.

1. Overly vague descriptions

Prompts that are too short or general leave Vizcom with little to work from. If your prompt simply says something like “cool outfit” or “nice product,” the AI has to make all the decisions, which often leads to generic results. These prompts lack specifics about the object, context, materials, or visual language.

Example:

  • Vague: modern product

  • Improved: sleek wireless earbuds case, contoured form, soft-touch matte plastic, cream finish, product photo on white background


Why it works:
This version provides the subject, shape, material, surface quality, and presentation context. These elements help guide the AI toward a clearer and more relevant result.

2. Contradictory instructions

Prompts that contain conflicting visual cues or styles can confuse the AI and lead to inconsistent or incoherent outputs. For example, asking for “futuristic yet vintage” without further clarification leaves the system trying to satisfy two opposing aesthetics at once.

Example:

  • Contradictory: futuristic coffee table with ornate Victorian legs and gilded carvings

  • Clearer: low-profile coffee table with smooth glass top, brushed aluminum frame, and subtle curved detailing inspired by vintage furniture

Why it works:
The improved version blends influences in a realistic and stylistically coherent way. Instead of mixing incompatible aesthetics, it references one while maintaining a contemporary feel.

3. Unrealistic expectations

Sometimes prompts ask for material combinations or visual effects that are physically impossible or unclear. For example, describing an object as “glowing concrete” or “transparent steel” leads to confusing results because the AI has no real-world precedent for those combinations.

Example:

  • Unrealistic: transparent steel watch with glowing leather strap

  • More realistic: watch with clear acrylic case, brushed metal accents, and illuminated leather strap with integrated LED stitching

Why it works:
This version uses materials that are physically plausible while still allowing for creativity. The AI can understand how to render the combination of transparency, metal, and lighting more accurately.

4. Missing critical components

Even a well-intentioned prompt can fall short if it leaves out key information. Omitting elements such as material, viewing angle, or rendering style forces Vizcom to make assumptions that might not align with your goals.

Commonly forgotten components include:

  • Main material specifications

  • Perspective or camera angle

  • Rendering style or level of realism

Example:

  • Incomplete: eco-friendly building design

  • Improved: eco-friendly community center, green roof, rammed earth walls, large glass facade, viewed from street level, warm evening light, photorealistic rendering

Why it works:
This revised version includes architectural form, materials, environmental context, lighting, and rendering style. These cues allow the AI to generate a result that closely matches the designer’s intention.

Summary: what to keep in mind

When writing prompts for Vizcom:

  • Be specific, but avoid unnecessary complexity

  • Ensure that your design language is consistent throughout

  • Use realistic materials and avoid contradictory requests

  • Include essential components such as subject, materials, style, environment, and rendering approach

Effective prompting is not about writing more but about writing with clarity. The more intentional your description, the better the outcome will reflect your design goals.