AI Tools for Visuals | The Best Image and Video AI Generator

AI Image and Video Tools

Everyone is using AI, are you? AI-generated visuals are everywhere, but not every tool is worth your time. Whether you need custom avatars, animated graphics, high-end renders, or AI-generated video explainers, these five AI tools actually deliver results.

1. Generated.photos – Realistic Human Generator

What It Does
Need realistic human faces for marketing, UX mockups, or ad campaigns? Generated.photos creates AI-generated people that look authentic, but don’t exist. That means no legal headaches, no stock photo overuse, and full control over age, gender, ethnicity, and expression.

How It Works
Use sliders to adjust facial features or enter a text prompt like "Confident young woman, glasses, neutral background."
Download AI-generated headshots without needing a model’s permission.
Try the AI Headshot Generator to create polished, LinkedIn-ready portraits from selfies.

Pricing
Free for 10 images/month.
$20/month for 1000 priority generations (human generator)

Why It’s Worth It
Pro Tip: Marketing teams love this for website testimonials and ads—no more paying for expensive stock headshots or worrying about licensing.

2. Runway ML (Gen-3 Alpha) – AI Video Editing

What It Does
Runway ML lets anyone create professional-level animations, video edits, and VFX, all powered by AI. Think of it as an AI-powered After Effects, but way easier to use.

How It Works
Upload a photo or video clip and highlight areas to animate (like moving hair or flowing fabric).
Use text prompts like "Turn this image into a slow-motion scene with cinematic lighting."
Replace backgrounds instantly, no green screen needed.

Pricing
Free for 3 projects.
$18/month for HD exports and premium features.

Why It’s Worth It
Pro Tip: Combine Runway with Midjourney or DALL-E to bring AI-generated concept art to life for motion graphics or pitch decks.

3. Midjourney – The Go-to for Branding & Concept Art

What It Does
Midjourney is the gold standard for AI-generated imagery that actually looks polished, artistic, and on-brand. Unlike other tools, Midjourney gives you consistently high-quality, stylized visuals perfect for branding, packaging, editorial design, and digital art.

How It Works
Type a prompt in Discord like:
"/imagine retro sneaker ad, neon lights, 90s anime style --v 7."
Fine-tune images using Style Tuner, so every batch stays on-brand.

Pricing
$10/month for 200 images.
$60/month for commercial use rights.

Why It’s Worth It
Pro Tip: Add "testpv" to your prompts for hyper-realistic product shots that clients might mistake for real photography.

4. DALL·E 3 (via ChatGPT) – The Free AI Image Generator

What It Does
DALL·E 3, built into ChatGPT, is an on-demand image generator that can create anything from blog graphics to concept illustrations, all through casual conversation.

How It Works
Just type: "Make an infographic about coffee trends in blue tones."
Use inpainting to edit specific parts of an image, like changing the color of a shirt or replacing text.

Pricing
Free (up to 2 images/day via ChatGPT-4o).
$20/month for unlimited image generation.

Why It’s Worth It
Pro Tip: Since DALL·E struggles with text, just add the text in another software like Figma or Canva, so it doesn't ruin the image.

5. Synthesia – AI Video Avatars for Quick Explainers

What It Does
Synthesia creates AI-generated videos with realistic avatars, making it perfect for explainer videos, onboarding content, or personalized cold email pitches—without hiring a real actor.

How It Works
Pick from 140+ avatars (or create your own).
Paste your script, choose a voice, and let AI sync the lips and gestures.
Generate multi-language content without needing separate voiceovers.

Pricing
$22/month for 10 minutes of video.
$89/month for 50 minutes and custom avatars.

Why It’s Worth It
Pro Tip: Sales teams use Synthesia to personalize cold emails with AI avatars that address prospects by name—it’s scalable, but feels personal.

How to Write Better AI Prompts (With Examples)

AI tools have made creating visuals and videos easier than ever. But to truly get the most out of them, you need to understand how to craft the perfect prompt. A prompt is the key that unlocks the full potential of AI, so let’s dive into how to refine your prompts and get better results for both images and videos.

For Images

When crafting a prompt for image generation, specificity is your best friend. The more detailed and targeted your description, the more likely you'll get an image that matches your vision. Here’s how you can take control:

1. Define the Subject Clearly

Start by being explicit about what you want the AI to generate. Instead of saying something general like "Create an image of a person," you can be more specific:

Less effective prompt: "Create an image of a person."
Better prompt: "Create an image of a confident South Asian businesswoman in her late 30s, wearing a modern blazer, standing in front of a neutral gray background."

This level of detail gives the AI a much clearer direction. You can even go further by defining things like facial expression, posture, and even lighting conditions (e.g., "studio lighting" or "soft lighting").

2. Add Context for Better Results

Give the AI context for the scene you want to create. Whether it’s the environment, background, or mood, adding context helps the AI understand the "feel" of the image.

Example:
"Design a sleek, modern office space with a minimalist desk and large windows showing a city skyline. Include natural daylight coming through the windows, casting soft shadows on the desk."

By describing the setting and lighting, you guide the AI to understand the scene better. This is especially important for lifestyle or branding images where the overall mood plays a huge role.

3. Use Adjectives That Support the Vision

While it’s tempting to rely on short descriptions, adding a few well-chosen adjectives can refine the outcome. Think of these as tools to narrow the focus, rather than overwhelming the AI with too many details.

Example:
"A close-up shot of a polished marble skincare bottle with soft shadows on a pastel pink background, using subtle reflections to enhance the product's luxury feel."

By adding the right adjectives, you create a sharper picture for the AI to work from, enhancing the final output.

4. Experiment with Style and Detail

If you're looking for a specific artistic style or visual details (like the texture of an object or the type of lighting), make sure to add that to your prompt. Be specific with the desired style, such as "retro" or "high realism."

Example:
"Create a retro sneaker ad, neon lights, 90s anime style, with a grainy film texture, low-angle shot."

This level of detail ensures that the AI knows not only what to generate, but also how to generate it—whether it’s "vintage," "realistic," or "minimalist."

5. Refine with Negative Prompts

Sometimes it’s useful to specify what you don’t want. By adding negative prompts, you can avoid unwanted outcomes.

Example:
"Generate a modern businesswoman, but exclude any glasses or casual attire."

This is especially useful when working with creative art generation, where ambiguity can sometimes lead to an unexpected result.

For Videos

Video generation with AI requires a different approach compared to images. It’s not just about what you want to see, but also about how you want the visuals to behave. Here's how to get the most out of video prompts:

1. Define the Story or Movement

When generating video, you need to go beyond static visuals. Focus on describing the sequence, the movement, and even the pacing. It’s crucial to communicate the desired action or flow clearly to the AI.

Example:
"Create a slow-motion video of a skateboarder performing a trick in an urban environment. The skateboarder should be in mid-air, with the camera following the motion in a smooth arc. Slow the action down for a cinematic feel, and add some background blur."

In this prompt, you’re describing the movement (skateboarder in mid-air), the camera angle, and the pacing (slow motion). This helps the AI understand the scene in its full dynamic.

2. Be Specific About the Environment and Mood

Just like with images, the environment and mood matter in videos. Describing the setting will help the AI align with your vision, especially when it comes to lighting, color schemes, and atmosphere.

Example:
"Create a video of a bustling city street during rush hour. The camera pans from the ground level, showing people walking, traffic moving, and large billboards flashing with advertisements. Use a dusk lighting effect to create a warm, golden glow."

This description specifies both the visual elements (people, traffic, billboards) and the lighting to give the video its desired mood.

3. Focus on Audio and Sound

If you want your video to include audio, be sure to specify that in the prompt. The right sound can enhance the atmosphere of your video, so think about the soundtrack, voiceovers, or even environmental sounds.

Example:
"Create a video of a beach scene with soft ocean waves in the background, the sound of seagulls overhead, and a light breeze rustling the palm trees. Add a calming instrumental soundtrack."

Audio isn’t always integrated into AI video generation, but specifying it can help shape the overall feel of the video if it's supported.

4. Timing and Frame Rate

With video, timing matters. If you need specific timing for an effect or scene transition, mention it clearly in the prompt.

Example:
"Create a 30-second video showcasing a product with the following sequence: close-up shot for 5 seconds, zoom out for 10 seconds, and then display the product with text overlay for the final 15 seconds."

Defining timing and transitions ensures your video doesn’t feel rushed or disjointed, especially for shorter promotional videos or explainer content.

5. Refine Through Iteration

AI video generation can sometimes take a few tries to perfect. If the first video doesn’t capture your vision, iterate on your prompt. Add more details or adjust parts of the prompt to fine-tune the results.

Example:
"Create a video of a dog playing in the snow. The first version was too slow, so make the dog run faster, and ensure the background is clearer. Add a more vibrant snow effect."

In this case, refining the video prompt after the initial output ensures a better final result. Don’t hesitate to keep adjusting until the video feels right.

Conclusion

Using AI tools and writing better prompts is important to unlock their full potential. By being specific in your prompts and understanding how to guide the AI, you can create visuals and videos that feel professional and on-brand. Test different tools, refine your approach, and watch your design workflow improve. AI tools are powerful, but they need guidance. Start small, experiment, and soon you’ll be generating visuals and videos that look as if they were made by professionals.

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