DALL-E: Tips for Writing Effective Prompts

Paul.H.936
Paul.H.936 Posts: 11
edited June 28 in Social Groups

What is DALL-E?

DALL-E is an AI tool developed by OpenAI that generates highly detailed and creative images from text descriptions, allowing users to create customized visuals by simply describing what they want to see. It leverages advanced machine learning to understand and render intricate details based on the input provided.

Tips for Writing Effective Prompts

The concept of ‘garbage in, garbage out’ applies when interacting with the generative AI tool DALL-E. The prompts you insert will dictate the quality and accuracy of the images you receive. In this article, I will share some simple but effective tips for writing prompts to create AI-generated graphics.

Be Specific & Detailed

DALL-E leverages advanced machine learning algorithms to understand the details and context of the input text to create an accurate representation. As such, the more specific your prompt is, the more accurate the results will be. Avoid single-word or overly general prompts. Instead, clearly describe the main elements you want in the image, including subjects, actions, and settings. For example, instead of saying "a person in an office," specify "a businesswoman in a modern office with a laptop, wearing a blue suit, and looking at a graph on the screen."

Include Relevant Context

Provide context to guide the AI in capturing the desired style or atmosphere. Mention the time period, mood, or specific details like lighting and color schemes. For example, "a cozy, dimly lit coffee shop in the evening with vintage decor and a person reading a book by the window."

Use Clear and Simple Language


Avoid ambiguity by using straightforward language and breaking down complex scenes into simpler parts. Ensure that the description is easy to understand and free of unnecessary jargon. For example, "a child playing with a yellow toy car on a grassy lawn, with a big smile on their face and a blue sky in the background."


Make Revisions

Sometimes the first result may not be perfect. Be prepared to revise your prompt by adding more details or adjusting descriptions based on the initial outputs to get closer to your desired result.

Avoid These Pitfalls


  • Avoid using unclear or ambiguous language. Vague descriptions can lead to unexpected or undesired results.
  • Avoid providing too many details or overly complex descriptions as they can confuse the AI, leading to cluttered or incoherent images.
  • Avoid requesting text in your images – DALL-E is not great at spelling at this stage.

Feel free to leave a comment below if you’d like to share your experience with using DALL-E.

Parts of this article were generated using ChatGPT, images created by DALL-E.