Constructivist City no.3 (Generative AI Experiments)
Created //
TL;DR // This is the 3rd iteration of using Generative AI tools to create a futuristic city streetscape. We started with the idea of Russian constructivism and have veered way off course. This time we end up in post-apocalyptic wastelands.
Generative AI Prompt Variations
We're on a journey here that we started in Constructivist City no.1 and Constructivist City no.2. This time we steer far away from that and go into the territory of post-apocalyptic wastelands.
Prompt 1
russian constructivist realistic photo. high-tech future cityscape. pretend the structures are built in minecraft blocks. add soft shading. use only straight lines. no arcs or curves. grungy and dirty.
We're starting with realism this time. Though most of the images have a similar illustrative quality. For image #4, apparently all towers must be cylindrical? It's always interesting to see how the AI tool interprets the prompt.
And... those onion bulb towers we tried so hard to get rid of in our first round of experiments are back in image number 3. Argh!
For some reason the second and sixth image remind me of the urban decay and abandoned buildings I used to spend lots of time photographing. Maybe that should be the focus for today's prompt...
Prompt 2
russian constructivist realistic photo. high-tech future dystopian ruined cityscape. pretend the structures are built in minecraft blocks. add soft shading. use only straight lines. no arcs or curves. grungy and dirty.
Ok this is getting interesting (especially for someone who's had a fascination with decaying structures). We're getting close to concept art for the video game Fallout 4.
Yeah, I'm a big fan of the style.
Prompt 3
russian constructivist realistic photo. high-tech future dystopian ruined cityscape. post-nuclear. pretend the structures are built in minecraft blocks. add soft shading. use only straight lines. no arcs or curves. grungy and dirty.
The minor prompt change hasn't made a big difference to the output. It's slightly more photorealistic, but still very much in the same style. Let's see about giving the images a bit more depth by increasing contrast.
Prompt 4
russian constructivist realistic photo. high-tech future dystopian ruined cityscape. post-nuclear. pretend the structures are built in minecraft blocks. add soft shading. use only straight lines. no arcs or curves. grungy and dirty. blank ink lines on edges.
I'm very happy with these results. It's concept art for a post-nuclear fallout city environment. It's like the AI tool has been fed a steady stream of images from Hashima Island, or 1980s Detroit.
Selected images
Here are a few that stood out for me:
Prompt 2 // Image 4
Why? This is post-nuclear downtown, before the zombies arrive. I like how it incorporates the foliage beginning to take over. It's not too absurdist and it's a generally good shot.
Prompt 3 // Image 4
Why? This is one of the few that introduced a different shape to the architecture. Why did most buildings turn into small cylinders? No idea, but it's a nice variation. In terms of composition, this is good like the previous one. There's a subject slightly off-centre, and it's framed on both sides.
Prompt 4 // Image 3
Why? This brings us to full post-cyberpunk landscape, with industrial brutalism and oppressive looking vehicles. It's right out of a Bladerunner dystopian future or a videogame.
Prompt 4 // Image 6
Why? And finally, the city, lifeless and empty. The style has reverted more towards illustration but it's a nice different view. An almost isometric overview of a city that's been abandoned.
// ka
