Prompt modifiers are optional layers that refine, enrich, or contextualize a base prompt.
They should be used after the core anatomy (context, space, emotion, materials, light, scale) is defined.
Modifiers help steer aesthetics and atmosphere without overriding intent.
Style
Defines the visual or spatial language of the space.
Use style to influence:
- Formal expression
- Level of abstraction
- Artistic or architectural references
Examples:
- Minimalist
- Brutalist
- Baroque
- Futuristic
- Cyberpunk
- Biophilic
- Expressionist
Era
Anchors the space in a specific time period or imagined future.
Use era to shape:
- Material choices
- Proportions and ornamentation
- Technological presence or absence
Examples:
- Ancient
- Medieval
- Industrial Revolution
- Mid-century modern
- Contemporary
- Near-future
- Far-future
Culture
Introduces cultural references, symbolism, and spatial behaviors.
Use culture to inform:
- Geometry and ornament
- Ritual, movement, and social use of space
- Color, material, and pattern logic
Examples:
- Japanese
- Mediterranean
- Nordic
- Middle Eastern
- West African
- Indigenous
- Global hybrid
Weather
Adds environmental and atmospheric conditions that affect mood and perception.
Use weather to influence:
- Lighting conditions
- Material response
- Emotional tone
Examples:
- Foggy morning
- Heavy rain
- Snowfall
- Harsh sunlight
- Windy dusk
- Humid tropical air
Common Mistakes
Understanding common mistakes helps improve results quickly and consistently.
Overloading the Prompt
Including too many styles, emotions, or conflicting references leads to incoherent outputs.
Tip: Focus on one primary intent and layer modifiers gradually.
Vague Emotional Direction
Generic terms like “nice,” “cool,” or “beautiful” provide little guidance.
Tip: Use precise emotional language (e.g. oppressive, serene, ceremonial).
Conflicting Scale Signals
Mixing human-scale intimacy with monumental language without intent creates confusion.
Tip: Explicitly define scale relationships and hierarchy.
Treating Prompts as Image Descriptions
Scenographist is designed for spatial thinking, not surface visuals.
Tip: Describe space, movement, and experience — not just appearance.
Prompt Examples by Discipline
These examples show how the same prompting principles adapt across disciplines.
Scenography & Performance
Example:
Immersive stage for a contemporary theater performance, focused on ritual and transformation.
Emotion: tension evolving into release.
Materials: raw timber, fabric, and steel.
Lighting: low-key theatrical light with gradual warm transition.
Scale: human-scale center with elevated symbolic elements.
Architecture
Example:
Public pavilion designed as a place of pause and gathering.
Emotion: calm and openness.
Materials: exposed concrete, wood, and glass.
Light: natural daylight with soft shadow gradients.
Scale: generous human scale with clear structural rhythm.
Exhibition & Installation
Example:
Immersive exhibition space exploring memory and time.
Emotion: introspective and slightly disorienting.
Materials: translucent panels and reflective surfaces.
Light: layered projections and ambient glow.
Scale: compressed circulation opening into a central volume.
Hospitality & Events
Example:
Wedding reception space designed as a nocturnal garden.
Emotion: intimate and celebratory.
Materials: natural stone, greenery, and soft textiles.
Lighting: warm string lights and candle-like points.
Scale: human-scale dining zones within an open landscape.
Film & Visual Storytelling
Example:
Cinematic interior for a sci-fi narrative.
Emotion: isolation and awe.
Materials: metallic surfaces and glass.
Lighting: high-contrast directional light with volumetric haze.
Scale: monumental architecture dwarfing the character.
