It was earlier this year that I learned about Midjourney, a generative artificial intelligence system that creates images based on text prompts, and its competitors Stability AI, Deviant Art, and Runway AI.
How did they know? They were all in the spotlight in lawsuits targeting AI-generated imagery and the work of over 4,000 artists that was used to train each company’s AI machines.
Founded two years ago by serial entrepreneur David Holtz, Midjourney was one of the early tools to leverage visual output created by artificial intelligence.
But it was the negative buzz surrounding these companies that sparked my interest in how AI could enhance and support my creativity (and better yet, legally). I began looking into creating a logo for my business through Midjourney.
To get started, you’ll need a free Discord account. I originally discovered Discord through a community organizer who was also a gamer, so I thought it would be interesting to see a creative AI tool being leveraged through a more tech- and UX-focused version of Slack.
You can then access Midjourney Bot from Discord via your browser, mobile app, or desktop app.
Discord is free, but to start generating images you will need to subscribe to a Midjourney subscription plan. Monthly rates start at $10, with a 20% discount for signing up for an annual subscription plan.
You can read CNET’s full hands-on review of Midjourney (and its competitors Dall-E 3 and Adobe Firefly), but here’s the result of my efforts creating a business logo.
How to create a logo using Midjourney
step 1: Join the Midjourney server on Discord. Find the server listing in the left sidebar. + Click the button Join a Server Press the button. Next, add your Midjourney Discord account. participate.
Step 2: Now you can interact with Midjourney Bot using commands. Commands are used to create images, change default settings, and other tasks. In particular, /imagine The command allows you to create your own image or logo depending on your prompt (a short textual description of the type of image you are looking for). The Midjourney bot will interpret the description and generate the image accordingly. Note: To continue creating your image, you must agree to Midjourney’s Terms of Use. Also, please be careful to adhere to the Community Guidelines while creating.
Step 3: Once you submit Midjourney’s image creation text prompt, it will create 4 unique image options in under a minute. The image creation process uses your GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), which is accumulated and tracked in your Midjourney subscription. Every minute used to complete a job counts as a GPU minute. If you run out of time, you can purchase more Fast Hours (used to generate your image). To see how much time you have left, type: /information Log in to Discord Time remaining is short.
Step 4: Time to get creative! You can choose one of the four images created or generate a variation of the one Midjourney generated for you. The image will be generated instantly with dimensions of 1024×1024 pixels. Rerun or Rerolls Follow the prompts to generate a new grid of images.
Step 5: Once you select an image from the set, various options become available. strong or Subtle changes of the selected image. zoom, bread, favorite or webClick to see the images in a gallery on the Midjourney website.
Step 6: Once you’re done creating, adjusting and crafting your final image, you can open the image in full view, right click and select save. Save ImageOn mobile, tap and hold the image download Click the icon in the upper right corner.
Other tools to check out within Midjourney include the one-to-one direct messaging feature, tips and tricks on how to write prompts, and how to use the /blend command when creating images.
Should I use Midjourney to create my logo?
The AI-generated images all have a surreal vibe to them and don’t necessarily match my vision for a business logo. I think Midjourney is more likely to be a stock photo replacement than a system for mass-producing creative business logos.
Because Midjourney works with Discord, which originally began as a gaming communications platform, the company’s AI-generated imagery seems to me more suited to a gamer’s fantasy world than the brand identity needs of an entrepreneur, but maybe that’s the company’s intention.
I’m a big proponent of using AI to increase efficiency and productivity, but this particular AI tool isn’t for me, and I don’t think designers need to worry about being replaced by Midjourney as a creative workforce.
Still not sure? Check out some images created in Midjourney on Instagram and read about our experiment with using Midjourney to create custom wedding invitations.
