---
title: "AI Image Generation and Design — free course"
description: "Prompt, edit and scale AI imagery for real campaigns — consistently, legally and with human design judgment"
url: https://optimizeall.com/learn/ai-image-generation-and-design
updated: 2026-10-05
---

Design · Intermediate · 321 minutes · free · updated Sep 2026

# AI Image Generation and Design

Prompt, edit and scale AI imagery for real campaigns — consistently, legally and with human design judgment

- **Lessons:** 18 in 6 modules
- **Video lectures:** 18 lectures, 150 minutes
- **Updated:** Sep 2026

## Tools you'll use

- Adobe Firefly
- Photoshop Generative Fill
- Midjourney
- Ideogram
- Recraft
- OpenAI GPT Image models
- Google Gemini image models
- Canva
- Figma
- Content Credentials (C2PA)

[Start the course](https://optimizeall.com/learn/ai-image-generation-and-design/inside-image-generators)

## About this course

AI image models can turn a sentence into a photograph, illustration or product scene in seconds — but professional results need far more than a lucky prompt. This course teaches the repeatable workflow creative teams use in 2026: how image models work and how to choose between standalone generators, assistant-built models and design-suite features; how to write structured prompts and use style, subject and multi-image references; and how to iterate with prompt logs.

You will practice inpainting, generative expand, upscaling and compositing in Photoshop and Figma, build brand style kits and prompt libraries, and run a production pipeline with QA sheets and delivery packages. Just as importantly, you will apply the US Copyright Office's guidance on AI authorship, manage likeness and trademark risk, use Content Credentials (C2PA) and platform AI labels, meet WCAG 2.2 accessibility, and work transparently with clients. Every lesson includes a narrated lecture with worked examples and hands-on templates.

## What you will learn

- Explain how image models work and choose a tool and model for a brief using a scorecard
- Write seven-part prompts and reusable templates, and iterate with a prompt log
- Use references, inpainting, generative expand, upscaling and compositing to finish assets
- Build brand style kits, character bibles and prompt libraries that keep campaigns consistent
- Assess copyright, likeness and trademark risk using current US Copyright Office guidance
- Apply Content Credentials, platform AI labels and disclosure rules correctly
- Run an AI image pipeline with QA, accessibility checks, client transparency and testing

## Course content

### How AI image models work

Build an accurate mental model of image generators, their strengths and limits, and how to choose the right tool for a brief.

- [Inside image generators: a practical mental model](https://optimizeall.com/learn/ai-image-generation-and-design/inside-image-generators): 7 min
- [Choosing the right image tool for the job](https://optimizeall.com/learn/ai-image-generation-and-design/choosing-an-image-tool): 8 min
- [Strengths, limits and when not to use AI imagery](https://optimizeall.com/learn/ai-image-generation-and-design/strengths-limits-and-when-not-to-use-ai): 7 min

### Prompting for images

Write structured prompts, direct style with references responsibly, and iterate efficiently with a prompt log.

- [Prompt anatomy: a structure that works](https://optimizeall.com/learn/ai-image-generation-and-design/prompt-anatomy): 7 min
- [Styles, references and responsible style direction](https://optimizeall.com/learn/ai-image-generation-and-design/styles-and-references): 7 min
- [Iteration, variations and prompt logs](https://optimizeall.com/learn/ai-image-generation-and-design/iteration-and-prompt-logs): 7 min

### Editing, upscaling and finishing

Use inpainting, outpainting and generative fill, upscale properly, and composite AI output with photography and typography.

- [Inpainting, outpainting and generative fill](https://optimizeall.com/learn/ai-image-generation-and-design/inpainting-and-outpainting): 8 min
- [Upscaling, artifacts and quality control](https://optimizeall.com/learn/ai-image-generation-and-design/upscaling-and-quality-control): 7 min
- [Compositing AI output with photography and typography](https://optimizeall.com/learn/ai-image-generation-and-design/compositing-ai-with-design): 7 min

### Consistency across a campaign

Keep characters, products and style consistent across many assets using references, style systems and a production pipeline.

- [Consistent characters, mascots and products](https://optimizeall.com/learn/ai-image-generation-and-design/consistent-characters-and-products): 8 min
- [Style systems and campaign prompt libraries](https://optimizeall.com/learn/ai-image-generation-and-design/style-systems-and-prompt-libraries): 7 min
- [A production pipeline from brief to delivery](https://optimizeall.com/learn/ai-image-generation-and-design/production-pipeline): 7 min

### Copyright, likeness and disclosure

Understand ownership and copyright questions, avoid likeness and trademark problems, and apply labeling and disclosure rules.

- [Copyright and ownership of AI images](https://optimizeall.com/learn/ai-image-generation-and-design/copyright-and-ownership): 8 min
- [Likeness, trademarks and harmful content](https://optimizeall.com/learn/ai-image-generation-and-design/likeness-trademarks-and-harm): 7 min
- [Labeling, disclosure and provenance](https://optimizeall.com/learn/ai-image-generation-and-design/labelling-and-disclosure): 8 min

### AI + human design workflows

Integrate AI into a human-led creative process, work transparently with clients, and manage bias, quality and effectiveness.

- [Where AI fits in the creative process](https://optimizeall.com/learn/ai-image-generation-and-design/where-ai-fits): 7 min
- [Working with clients: transparency, contracts and pricing](https://optimizeall.com/learn/ai-image-generation-and-design/working-with-clients): 7 min
- [Bias, inclusion, quality and effectiveness](https://optimizeall.com/learn/ai-image-generation-and-design/bias-quality-and-effectiveness): 7 min

## Certificate: AI Image Generation and Design Practitioner

The holder can plan and produce campaign-ready AI imagery: writing structured prompts, using references, editing and upscaling outputs, keeping characters and style consistent, combining AI with human design, and managing copyright, likeness, disclosure and bias risks with transparent client practices.

- **Final assessment:** 25 questions, 40 minutes
- **Passing score:** 80%