Create and review an AI illustration in Canva

Generate a fictional garden illustration without people, text or logos. Check the larger result and add a short description of its useful content.

This video was made by SkrivSikkert, which also sells its own reading and writing tool. Canva has not made, paid for or approved the video. Canva is a trademark of Canva Pty Ltd.

Written steps

  1. Step 1

    We will create a fictional garden illustration with Magic Media. It should support the message, not pretend to document a real garden. Use a blank page in your own practice design. Keep headings as editable text instead of asking the image generator to draw letters. We will inspect the result and add a useful image description.

  2. Step 2

    Open Magic Media in the side panel. Use the Images tab for this exercise. We use the access already available in this account. Features and generation limits may differ between accounts. Check your own access before planning a project around an AI tool.

  3. Step 3

    Enter a description of the subject, style and purpose. We ask for a simple watercolour illustration of three pots of herbs on a light wooden table. We specify calm green and cream colours, with no people, text or logos. The description guides the result, but it does not guarantee that every detail will be correct.

  4. Step 4

    Click Square to open the layout choices. Choose Landscape. This gives us a wide illustration for the presentation page. Another format may suit a different design. Choose the shape for the space where the image will be used, then check the selected format before generating.

  5. Step 5

    Read your description and click Generate images. Wait for the results. Generation can take a while, and your images may differ from ours. Check each suggestion for strange shapes, unwanted lettering and details that do not match the task. A polished appearance is not proof that an image is accurate.

  6. Step 6

    Compare the suggestions. We want three clear herb pots, a calm style and no lettering inside the picture. Select the suitable image shown here to insert it. Inspect the larger image on the page before keeping it. Check the pot shapes, leaves and edges rather than judging only the small preview.

  7. Step 7

    With the image selected, open More and choose Alternative text. Enter a description of the actual illustration: Watercolour illustration of three pots of herbs on a wooden table. Leave Mark as decorative off, then Save. Describe useful image content, not the entire request you gave the generator. Keep the description short and relevant.

  8. Step 8

    Review the image in the design. Check that it is not stretched or cropped in a way that hides useful details. It should support the message without competing with readable text. Treat it as an illustration, and identify AI use when the context requires it. Try creating and reviewing your own simple, fictional image.

What you need

Open a blank page in your own practice design. Check that Magic Media image generation is available with your account. The recording shows the English interface.

Read the video transcript

We will create a fictional garden illustration with Magic Media. It should support the message, not pretend to document a real garden. Use a blank page in your own practice design. Keep headings as editable text instead of asking the image generator to draw letters. We will inspect the result and add a useful image description. Open Magic Media in the side panel. Use the Images tab for this exercise. We use the access already available in this account. Features and generation limits may differ between accounts. Check your own access before planning a project around an AI tool. Enter a description of the subject, style and purpose. We ask for a simple watercolour illustration of three pots of herbs on a light wooden table. We specify calm green and cream colours, with no people, text or logos. The description guides the result, but it does not guarantee that every detail will be correct. Click Square to open the layout choices. Choose Landscape. This gives us a wide illustration for the presentation page. Another format may suit a different design. Choose the shape for the space where the image will be used, then check the selected format before generating. Read your description and click Generate images. Wait for the results. Generation can take a while, and your images may differ from ours. Check each suggestion for strange shapes, unwanted lettering and details that do not match the task. A polished appearance is not proof that an image is accurate. Compare the suggestions. We want three clear herb pots, a calm style and no lettering inside the picture. Select the suitable image shown here to insert it. Inspect the larger image on the page before keeping it. Check the pot shapes, leaves and edges rather than judging only the small preview. With the image selected, open More and choose Alternative text. Enter a description of the actual illustration: Watercolour illustration of three pots of herbs on a wooden table. Leave Mark as decorative off, then Save. Describe useful image content, not the entire request you gave the generator. Keep the description short and relevant. Review the image in the design. Check that it is not stretched or cropped in a way that hides useful details. It should support the message without competing with readable text. Treat it as an illustration, and identify AI use when the context requires it. Try creating and reviewing your own simple, fictional image.

Canva