Part 1: Techniques for Creating High-Quality Design Assets with AI

The Inspiration 💡

I often see illustrations created with AI, but I wondered if I could also create "design assets that can actually be used as products," so I decided to give it a try. This time, I'll share the process of creating coffee cups in five different styles.

Production Workflow

Tools Used:

• SDXL model (base image generation)

• img2img + ControlNet (shape control)

• Qwen model (refinement)

Steps ✏️

1. Generate a simple coffee cup with SDXL

2. Fix the shape with ControlNet

3. Change the style by modifying the prompt

4. Adjust the noise level to add texture

5. Refine with Qwen to increase the level of completion

👉 Once you establish this workflow, you can efficiently develop multiple variations.

The 5 Styles I Created 🌈

• Japanese Style: An elegant and calm atmosphere like lacquerware

• Art Deco Style: A sense of luxury through geometric patterns and ornamentation

• Bohemian Style: A warm finish with embroidered patterns and earth tones

• Industrial Style: A cool, metallic texture

• American Diner Style: A retro, pop, and approachable atmosphere

Points I struggled with 💦

The most difficult part was "texture expression."
The final result changes significantly depending on the noise adjustment.

• Too little → Looks flat and cheap

• Too much → Shape collapses, patterns become overly complex

Since the optimal value changes depending on the original image, repeated trial and error was necessary.
(I explained this in more detail in a previous article

The importance of the refinement process 📝

Since SDXL output alone tends to leave parts with ambiguous shapes, I performed refinement using the Qwen model. Adding this process:

• Makes the outlines clearer

• Brings it closer to a level of precision usable as a product

• Results in a more realistic and stable finish

As a result, the difference in the level of perfection was significant, and the stability as an asset was enhanced.

Traditional Japanese craft style prompt:

Traditional Japanese crafts style coffee cup with saucer, urushi lacquerware finish, kutani-yaki ceramic style, elegant Japanese patterns like sakura cherry blossoms, seigaiha waves, asanoha hemp leaf, gold leaf accents (kintsugi style), deep vermillion red and black lacquer colors, delicate gold line work, matcha latte with traditional foam art, sophisticated color palette of deep red, black, gold, and cream white, traditional Japanese aesthetic, product photography style, clean white background

Art Deco style prompt:

Art Deco style coffee cup with saucer, 1920s elegant design, geometric patterns with gold lines, sharp angular decorations, sophisticated Art Deco motifs, black and gold color scheme, metallic gold accents, symmetrical patterns, luxurious finish, vintage glamour aesthetic, elegant typography elements, high contrast lighting, refined and polished appearance, product photography style, clean white background!

Bohemian style prompt:

Bohemian style coffee cup with saucer, ethnic embroidery patterns, warm earth tone colors, tassel and bead decorations, boho chic design, intricate mandala motifs, rich terracotta and burnt orange colors, textured ceramic surface, handcrafted appearance, tribal patterns, natural organic shapes, warm and cozy aesthetic, artisanal quality, product photography style, clean white background

Industrial-style prompt:

Industrial style coffee cup with saucer, metallic gunmetal finish, raw steel texture, concrete-like surface, minimalist utilitarian design, weathered metal appearance, rivets and welding details, matte black and dark gray colors, pipe-style handle, aged patina effects, urban industrial aesthetic, robust construction, modern brutalist design, product photography style, clean white background

Vintage American-style prompt:

Vintage American diner style coffee mug with saucer, thick ceramic construction, retro logo typography, 1950s diner aesthetic, bright primary colors, classic American diner design, bold graphic elements, nostalgic Americana style, red white and blue color scheme, vintage advertising typography, chrome accents, classic mid-century modern design, product photography style, clean white background

Thoughts after trying it out 💭

Once you get the hang of it, the ability to develop diverse styles in a short amount of time is a major benefit. I was able to efficiently create variations that would have taken days in the past.

However, fine-tuning the artisan-level parameters is necessary. That said, I felt that utilizing this technology significantly expands the possibilities of design production.

Next time, I plan to try it out using a teacup as the subject! 🫖

Finally, for reference

This is the result when using only a prompt for Japanese traditional craft style with a DIT model. This one ended up with a more photographic texture.
My impression is that Stable Diffusion has the edge when it comes to the stability of the proportions and shapes of small items.
It is also interesting how different models have different areas of expertise.