AI and machine learning are becoming increasingly popular tools for designers, allowing for the creation of unique and dynamic characters. While coming up with ideas for your AI-generated artwork is easy, designing an appealing character takes time and effort.
To help inspire you, we’ve compiled 50 of the best AI character design prompts ranging from classic archetypes to futuristic beings. Grab a cup of coffee and let’s dive in!
Why AI Character Design?
Here are some key benefits of using AI for character design:
- Save time – AI can generate multiple character options instantly instead of having to sketch concepts by hand
- Spark creativity – The prompts provide a jumping off point to get your creative juices flowing
- Explore new styles – Mix and match prompts to discover fresh aesthetics you may not have tried before
- Iterate easily – Quickly regenerate variations of a character to refine the design
50 Best AI Character Design Prompts
- “A robotic being finding peace in a graveyard amongst the ruins”
- “A futuristic cyborg with a neon-lit body and intricate circuitry”
- “A humanoid creature made of interlocking metal plates”
- “An android with a broken heart, surrounded by a mysterious fog”
- “A robot monk meditating in a surreal world of infinite possibilities”
Fantasy & Mythical Characters
- “An elf ranger aiming a glowing bow and arrow”
- “A goblin tinkerer building gadgets out of scrap metal”
- “A wise centaur stargazing on a hilltop observatory”
- “A vampire count emerging from his coffin in an ancient castle”
- “A mermaid sitting atop a rock singing a haunting melody”
Sci-Fi Characters
- “A spaceship captain behind the wheel of her vessel”
- “An astronaut repairing a satellite floating through space”
- “A scientist in a lab coat analyzing an alien artifact”
- “A hacker with cybernetic implants hacking into a mainframe”
- “An android butler serving refreshments in a sleek future home”
Steampunk Characters
- “A gentleman inventor tinkering with a mechanical arm”
- “A pilot in steampunk aviation goggles and leather cap”
- “A clockwork robot wearing a top hat and monocle”
- “A woman in a bustled dress wielding a ray gun”
- “An engineer driving a steam-powered motorcycle”
Cartoon Characters
- “A silly goose wearing sneakers and playing the ukulele”
- “A grumpy cat reluctantly wearing a party hat”
- “A friendly ghost happily floating around”
- “An excited puppy superhero wearing a cape and mask”
- “A nervous mouse holding a giant wedge of cheese”
Character Design Tips
Here are some tips to create the best AI-generated character designs:
- Focus on key traits – Keep prompts concise and emphasize 1-2 personality traits
- Use vivid descriptors – Incorporate textures, colors, shapes to spark AI creativity
- Regenerate options – Create multiple versions of a character and pick your favorite
- Refine the design – Use the same prompt and add small tweaks to improve a design
- Explore different styles – Change up art styles like ink, pixel, graffiti to find inspiring aesthetics
Next Steps with Character Designs
Once you’ve created compelling character designs with AI, here’s how to take them further:
- Develop backstories – Write origin stories and interests to give them depth
- Put them in scenes – Imagine narrative situations to advance character development
- Make merchandise – Produce character art prints, t-shirts, mugs and more
- Create animations – Animate characters and bring them to life through movement
- Build full worlds – Expand into video games, films, comics and beyond
The possibilities are endless when you combine AI with your imagination. Use these prompts as launch pads to create memorable characters that captivate any audience.
Let us know which prompt is your favorite or if you have a prompt to add to the list!