How do I actually get started with AI image generation if I've never used it before?

The easiest way to start with AI image generation is to pick one well-known tool, use its most basic mode, and type a simple description of what you want to see. Don't overthink it. Most people get stuck because they try to learn everything at once — different models, advanced settings, negative prompts — and then they freeze. I've seen it happen dozens of times. Start with Microsoft Designer (it's free and runs on DALL-E 3) or Midjourney through Discord. Type something like "a watercolor painting of a cat wearing a tiny hat, soft lighting" and hit generate. That's it. Your first results won't be perfect, and that's the point. You learn what the tool does well and what it struggles with by seeing the output, not by reading tutorials. After a few tries, you'll notice patterns. Midjourney tends to produce more artistic, dramatic images. DALL-E 3 is better at following complex instructions literally. Neither is better — they just have different strengths. Once you're comfortable with basic prompts, add one new element at a time. Try specifying a style ("in the style of a 1970s sci-fi book cover") or an aspect ratio ("--ar 16:9" in Midjourney). Don't jump into advanced workflows until you can predict roughly what your prompt will produce. A common mistake beginners make is writing paragraph-long prompts full of conflicting details. Short, clear prompts almost always work better. If you're getting weird results, simplify your description before you blame the tool. For a deeper dive, see our guide on how to write effective prompts for AI tools.