How AI "Artists" are making money with Midjourney right now

Mango Street
30 Jun 202306:03

TLDRThe video discusses the potential for making money with AI-generated art through the platform Midjourney, which is a subscription-based Discord service starting at $10. Users can generate images by providing detailed prompts to the Midjourney bot. The video suggests using descriptive prompts to create unique images, such as specifying camera settings, colors, composition, and lighting. It also mentions experimenting with variations like adding a Wes Anderson color palette or changing outfits and settings. The speaker argues that the value lies in the tools rather than the prompts, which can be easily replicated. They suggest that AI should be used as a starting point for creativity rather than the final product. The video also promotes Squarespace for hosting websites and selling content, emphasizing its customizable features and ease of use.

Takeaways

  • 🎨 **AI Art Platforms**: Midjourney is a subscription-based platform on Discord that allows users to create and sell AI-generated art.
  • 💰 **Monetization**: Some artists are making a significant income from AI art, and it's possible to do so without a 'secret sauce'.
  • 📈 **Prompt Engineering**: To create art on Midjourney, users need to be descriptive with their prompts, including details like camera, lens, colors, composition, and lighting.
  • 🧑‍🎨 **Inspiration & Creativity**: Using real names like Iris Apple can add a personal touch to the art, and varying prompts can lead to unique creations.
  • 🎥 **Adding Variations**: Experimenting with different elements such as color palettes, found footage, and stylized settings can enhance the art.
  • 👗 **Styling Choices**: Changing the outfit in the art from drab to colorful can significantly alter the mood and appeal.
  • 🤖 **AI Assistance**: Midjourney's 'describe' function can analyze an image and generate a prompt for further customization.
  • 📚 **Community Learning**: Users can learn from others by checking out the Discord channels to see what prompts they are using.
  • 🚫 **Gatekeeping Concerns**: The video expresses skepticism about those who claim that prompt writing is an art form that justifies high prices.
  • 📈 **Value in Tools, Not Secrets**: The value is seen in the tools provided for creativity, not in the exclusivity of the prompts themselves.
  • 🌐 **Technology as a Tool**: AI is viewed as a starting point for creativity rather than a replacement for human artistry.
  • 💼 **Traditional Monetization**: The video suggests that traditional methods like sponsorships are still a viable way to make money.

Q & A

  • What is Midjourney and how does it work?

    -Midjourney is a subscription-based platform accessible through Discord that allows users to generate AI art. Users interact with the Midjourney bot by using the command '/imagine' followed by a detailed prompt describing the image they want to create. The platform is noted for its ability to generate detailed and stylistic images based on user inputs.

  • How is AI art monetization portrayed in the video?

    -The video suggests that some people are making significant money from AI-generated art by using platforms like Midjourney. It challenges the notion that only a select few can profit from this technology, emphasizing that generating and selling AI art is accessible to anyone with the right tools and creativity.

  • What strategies are mentioned for enhancing AI-generated images?

    -The video discusses several strategies to refine AI-generated images, including specifying camera and lens types, adjusting color palettes, and altering clothing and backgrounds. It also suggests using variations and different settings to increase the uniqueness and appeal of the images.

  • What is the significance of the 'spunky old lady' prompt in the context of AI art generation?

    -The 'spunky old lady' prompt exemplifies how specific and creative descriptions can lead to unique and appealing AI-generated images. Using a well-known figure like Iris Apple enhances the distinctiveness of the artwork, potentially increasing its marketability and relevance.

  • How does the video address the concept of gatekeeping in the AI art community?

    -The video criticizes the gatekeeping attitude in the AI art community, where some might claim that creating prompts is an exclusive skill deserving high compensation. It argues that the value lies in the tools rather than the exclusivity of knowledge, suggesting that sharing knowledge doesn't diminish a creator's value but rather democratizes creativity.

  • What role does Squarespace play according to the video?

    -Squarespace is highlighted as a platform that supports creators by enabling them to easily build websites to showcase and sell their AI-generated art. The video mentions features like professional portfolios, scheduling tools, and member areas for exclusive content, underscoring Squarespace's utility for artists and creators.

  • What is the purpose of the describe function in Midjourney?

    -The describe function in Midjourney allows users to upload an image, after which the AI analyzes it and generates a prompt based on its content. This function helps users start with a base prompt which they can then modify and adjust to create new images, facilitating creativity and experimentation.

  • How does the video suggest AI can benefit traditional artists and filmmakers?

    -The video suggests that AI can be a valuable tool for traditional artists and filmmakers by serving as a starting point for creativity, particularly in creating mood boards and storyboards. It supports the conceptual phase of creative projects by quickly generating visual ideas and inspirations.

  • What is the video's view on the intrinsic value of AI-generated art?

    -The video posits that the intrinsic value of AI-generated art does not solely reside in the human creator but in the tools and technology used. It promotes the idea that AI should be viewed as a facilitator of creativity rather than the sole creator, advocating for a collaborative approach between humans and AI in the creative process.

  • How does the video suggest creators should approach monetization beyond creating art?

    -Beyond selling art, the video suggests that creators should consider diversifying their income through methods like hosting workshops, offering exclusive content through membership areas, and leveraging sponsorships. It underscores the importance of using business tools and platforms to enhance and monetize creative endeavors effectively.

Outlines

00:00

🎨 AI Art and the Business of Creativity

The first paragraph introduces the topic of AI-generated art and its potential for commercial success. It discusses the viewer's emotional response to an AI-created image and the ensuing conversation about societal beauty standards and the obsession with youth. The speaker emphasizes that creating AI art is not as exclusive as some might claim, and outlines the process of using the Mid-Journey platform to generate art. The paragraph provides a step-by-step guide on crafting prompts for the AI, suggesting variations to enhance the artwork. It concludes with the speaker's perspective on the value of art tools over the artist and the potential for AI to assist in creative processes like mood and storyboard creation.

05:01

🌐 Squarespace for Creatives and Business Owners

The second paragraph shifts the focus to the practical applications of Squarespace for creatives and business owners. It highlights the benefits of Squarespace for hosting websites, showcasing photography, and managing bookings and appointments. The speaker shares their personal experience as a long-term Squarespace customer and promotes a discount offer for new users. The paragraph also touches on the potential use of Squarespace's member areas for monetizing exclusive content, such as video classes and digital downloads. It concludes with a direct call to action, inviting viewers to check out Squarespace for their web development needs.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡AI 'Artists'

AI 'Artists' refers to individuals who use artificial intelligence to create artwork. In the context of the video, these artists are leveraging AI to generate images and potentially earn income from their creations. The video suggests that while some may claim this process requires a 'secret sauce,' it is more accessible than it might seem.

💡Midjourney

Midjourney is a subscription-based platform on Discord that is used for creating generative art through AI. It is central to the video's discussion as it is the tool that allows users to input prompts and generate images, which can then be sold as art prints. The platform is presented as a means for artists to monetize their AI-generated work.

💡Prompt Engineer

A 'Prompt Engineer' is a term used in the video to describe someone who is skilled at crafting the prompts that guide the AI in creating images. The process involves being descriptive with the desired visual elements, such as camera settings, colors, composition, and lighting. This role is key to generating compelling AI art.

💡Generative Art

Generative Art is a form of art that involves the use of autonomous systems, such as AI, to create artworks. In the video, generative art is produced through AI-generated images on platforms like Midjourney. The art is not created by human hands but by algorithms responding to user prompts.

💡Discord

Discord is a communication platform that allows for text, voice, and video conversations. In the context of the video, it is the platform hosting Midjourney, where users can subscribe and interact with the AI to create art. Discord serves as a community hub for artists and enthusiasts of AI-generated art.

💡Iris Apple

Iris Apple is an American fashion icon mentioned in the video as an example of how to use a real person's name in a prompt for the AI to generate an image. The video suggests using 'Iris Apple standing with hand on a rolling suitcase' as a prompt to create a futuristic, full-body portrait.

💡Wes Anderson Color Palette

The 'Wes Anderson Color Palette' refers to the distinctive color schemes often used in films directed by Wes Anderson, known for their vibrant and symmetrical compositions. In the video, it is suggested to add this color palette to the AI-generated images for variation, indicating a creative approach to enhancing the artwork.

💡Squarespace

Squarespace is a website building and hosting platform that is highlighted in the video as a tool for artists to showcase and sell their work online. The video mentions using Squarespace to upload and sell prints of AI-generated art, emphasizing its utility for creators to establish an online presence and monetize their creations.

💡Gated Art

The term 'Gated Art' is used in the video to describe the idea that some people believe creating prompts for AI-generated art is a skill that deserves high value and should be kept exclusive. The video challenges this notion, suggesting that the value lies in the tools and the unique perspective each artist brings, rather than the exclusivity of the process.

💡Photography Workshops

Photography Workshops are educational sessions where photographers share their techniques and insights. In the video, the speaker contrasts these workshops, where they provide models, approaches, and settings, with the idea of sharing AI prompts. The point is made that each photographer's unique vision cannot be replicated, unlike AI-generated art where prompts can lead to similar results.

💡Mood and Storyboards

Mood and storyboards are tools used in the creative process, particularly in film and photography, to visualize the atmosphere and sequence of events in a narrative. The video suggests that AI can be beneficial in creating these preliminary stages of a project, serving as a starting point for human creativity rather than a replacement for it.

Highlights

Midjourney is a subscription-based platform for AI-generated art, accessible through Discord.

Creating art with Midjourney involves becoming a 'prompt engineer' by giving detailed descriptions.

Utilizing specific prompts, such as camera, lens type, and lighting, can enhance the image's realism.

Inspirational series, like using the image of Iris Apple, show the potential of character-driven generative art.

Exploration of variations, like changing colors or settings, can significantly alter the art style.

Experimenting with attire and setting adjustments leads to a wide range of artistic expressions.

Discussion about the monetization of AI art, highlighting that it's not as complex as it may seem.

The use of platforms like Squarespace to sell AI-generated images as prints.

Midjourney's 'describe' function can analyze images and generate starting prompts for further customization.

Comparing traditional photography and AI art, emphasizing the unique contributions of human creativity.

Addressing the gatekeeping in AI art, suggesting that prompt sharing does not dilute personal artistry.

Suggesting AI as a tool for mood and storyboard creation in filmmaking and photography.

Promoting the idea that AI should be a starting point for creativity, not the endpoint.

Highlighting the potential of Squarespace for managing and monetizing digital content effectively.

Offering insights into using Squarespace for business enhancements like scheduling and booking.

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