Applied AI Lessons

Experiment 3 of 6

Design a three-direction visual study

Make an explanatory poster for a fictional campus initiative, then test whether it communicates.

Identify one audience and one message. Use clearly fictional event details or omit dates and locations.
Collect two reference examples and write what you admire about their design.
Use AI to explore three genuinely different visual directions; keep your prompts and outputs.
Select one using a rubric for clarity, audience fit, and accessibility. Refine the wording and layout yourself.
Ask one person what they notice first and what action they think the poster requests. Revise based on the response.

Starting prompt

Develop three distinct visual directions for a poster about [topic], aimed at [audience]. The single message is [message]. Explain hierarchy, composition, typography, and accessible contrast for each. Use fictional details clearly labeled as fictional. Avoid stereotypes and do not imitate a living artist.

Reflect

What made the chosen draft good for your audience rather than merely impressive?

Don’t include private student, research, or workplace information. No paid tool needed: Create three paper sketches or use a non-AI design tool. Evaluate and test them with the same criteria.

Finish this experiment

Write a short reflection: what you made, what you changed, and what you learned. At least 80 characters.

Tools to try: Canva, Adobe Firefly, Ideogram, Recraft

Design a three-direction visual study

Starting prompt

Reflect

Finish this experiment