We're enjoying the last of the nice weather and fall colors around here. Next week, I'm off to Louisville for a concert and a visit with my parnter in crime, Karl. (Hopefully this time nobody loses their keys! 😂) Speaking of good views, this week we have a simple trick for turning generic AI images into ones that actually tell a story.

Hope you're enjoying some great views in your corner of the world, too.

Thanks for reading!

🎵 Today I'm listening to Joe Jordan​

Supported by iSpring

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Why Is Everyone in Your Training Images Smiling?

According to stock photos, nobody has ever had a bad day at work.

Everyone's grinning at laptops, beaming through meetings, and looking downright thrilled about spreadsheets.

Unfortunately, AI seems to have learned a few of those bad habits.

The fix isn't always a better AI tool. Sometimes it's just a better description of what's happening.

Stop Posing People. Start Showing Moments.

I came across a helpful article from Christy Tucker about getting better results from AI image generators.

One tip stood out:

For example, instead of:

"Employee sitting at a laptop."

Try:

"Candid editorial photograph of an office employee staring at a laptop screen in disbelief, one hand pressed against their forehead and the other holding a printed bill with a large red OVERDUE stamp. A spilled cup of coffee sits on the desk. Natural office lighting, realistic workplace, medium-close shot."

One gives you a generic office photo. The other captures a moment of hesitation.

Should they click? Is the email legitimate? What would you do?

That's where things get interesting for learning designers.

Instead of just decorating a slide, you've created a scene that could spark a question, a discussion, or a decision.

Also supported by Neovation

Here's a tool worth a look: JoySuite.

JoySuite automates routine LMS work, answers questions from your documents with sources, builds dashboards from a simple prompt, and turns policies into role-play practice. And if you're heading to DevLearn you can see it live at Neovation booth 525.

​Watch JoySuite in action →​

Give Your Image a 2-Minute Makeover

Open your last disappointing AI image and give it a second chance.

This time, add three things to your prompt:

Action:
​What’s the person doing?

Expression:
What would they really feel?

Layout:
Where will the image go? Do you need space for text? That’s it. No magic words or mile-long prompts required.

And remember, different AI tools have different quirks. The goal isn’t the perfect prompt. It’s a clear description of the scene you want to create.

Christy’s article includes a flexible prompt framework and examples worth keeping handy.

​Read Christy’s article and grab her prompt framework → ​

The Bottom Line

Good images don’t just show what something looks like. They can help us see what’s happening, what matters, and what comes next.

So the next time you’re creating an image for training, don’t just show someone at work.

Show them doing the work.

Better yet, show them facing the kind of decision your learners need to make.

See you next Friday!

Mike

📍Where I'll be next

• ​Training 2027 Conference & Expo,
  February 22-24 Orlando, FL

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