Tuesday, June 30, 2026

Catnip Inside. Fearfully Fun Outside | LitLabs Concept Exploration

Funny Catnip Joints for Cats with Dried and Organic High Potency Catnip

This project was created using a combination of AI-powered creative tools and Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Photoshop.

I would love to share every step of the creative process behind each image, but I don't want to overwhelm you with lengthy prompt breakdowns. Instead, I'm sharing the primary prompt to provide a clear understanding of the overall creative structure, workflow, and the type of results it produces.

Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop were used to complement the AI workflow by refining compositions, improving precision, maintaining visual consistency, and reducing the need to repeatedly generate new images. Rather than relying solely on AI, this project demonstrates a hybrid creative workflow where multiple tools work together to achieve higher-quality results while saving significant production time.

This post showcases the Fear version. The project was developed around two complementary creative territories: Fear and Love. In my next post, I'll share the complete set of visuals created for the Love version, along with the creative thinking behind that execution.


Credits:
Brand: LitLabs
Product: Funny Catnip Joints for Cats with Dried and Organic High Potency Catnip
Project: Infographic Design. Communicating Key Product Features
Editions: Fear Edition & Love Edition
Media Channel: Amazon Listing
Art Director: Mark Zuniga
AI Prompt Designer: Mark Zuniga
Generative AI Tool: Magnific AI, Flora AI, Chat GPT
Design Tools: Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop
Category: Pet Toys
Project Completion Date: 2026


For a deeper look into the complete creative process, please visit the following link click here

Below, you'll find the images created throughout this project, along with a brief explanation of the tools used at each stage of the creative process. My goal is to provide insight into the workflow and demonstrate how combining multiple AI and creative tools can help you achieve results that align with your creative vision and project objectives. I hope this breakdown inspires you to build your own efficient workflow and produce visuals that meet and even exceed your expectations.

This image was created using Magnific AI, a platform specializing in high-end image upscaling, AI-powered image generation and reimagining, video creation, and intelligent visual workflows.


This image was expanded using Adobe Photoshop's Crop Tool, followed by the Generative Expand feature without using a text prompt.


This image was generated once again using Magnific AI. To further strengthen the Love concept, a new prompt was carefully crafted with additional background details designed to amplify the emotional narrative and create an intentionally exaggerated atmosphere of love, warmth, and affection. The prompt used for this iteration is shared at the end of this case study.


Finally, Adobe Illustrator was used to adapt the artwork to the required banner dimensions, ensuring that the conceptual image maintained its visual impact at the final size. The composition was refined to balance the key visual, the creative tagline "Catnip Inside. Fearfully Fun Outside" and the product packaging, resulting in a clean, engaging, and production-ready layout suitable



After describing the creative vision I had in mind in as much detail as possible, I asked ChatGPT to organize, refine, and optimize my prompt while preserving my creative direction and objectives. The result was a more structured, detailed, and production-ready prompt that accurately translated my ideas into a format better suited for AI image generation. Below, I share the final prompt that guided this creative process.

PROMPT

Tight cinematic FEAR-themed scene in 1:1 format, set in a living room at night. Dark atmosphere, low-key lighting, deep blue-black shadows, cold tones, psychological tension, elegant horror mood.



The scene is centered on one plush FEAR character @reference1 standing on a living room rug, holding an X-ray film in both hands and looking at it in shock. The X-ray must clearly show the inside of the character’s body, revealing that there are no bones at all inside. Instead of bones, the interior is visibly filled only with catnip. The X-ray should feel readable and believable, with the silhouette of the plush body visible and the inside densely packed with catnip texture rather than any skeleton structure.



The FEAR character @reference1 must have a terrified embroidered expression, wide pink eyes, tense posture, and a fearful body reaction while staring at the X-ray as if realizing its own dangerous vulnerability.

In the background, at a distance inside the living room, a cat is watching the character. The cat should feel like a threatening presence from afar, quietly observing. The cat must not dominate the composition. It should appear secondary in scale, placed farther back in the room, partially framed by shadows, but still clearly readable as a cat watching the scene.



The environment is a living room with a rug visible beneath the character. Scattered around the rug are other cat toys, subtly visible and naturally integrated into the scene, helping reinforce the setting without distracting from the main action. These can include small plush toys, string toys, crinkle toys, or soft toy objects placed around the floor.



The action of the scene is the horrifying realization that the FEAR character @reference1 is filled entirely with catnip, while the cat watches from a distance.



Composition and scale:

The FEAR character must visually dominate the frame
- the character should occupy around 60% to 75% of the frame height
- the X-ray must be clearly visible and readable in the character’s hands
- the cat must remain secondary in scale and placed farther back
- maintain believable close proportions
- avoid tiny character scale
- avoid giant-cat perspective
- the scene should feel intimate and cinematic, with the character as the main storytelling focus



Important character design constraints:


Preserve the handcrafted plush toy aesthetic
- body must remain a soft off-white plush cylindrical shape
- the top section must remain a dark crimson red plush cap with mottled texture
- the head/body silhouette must be one single soft plush form with a medium-rounded top
- preserve embroidered facial features
- both arms must be black
- both legs must be black
- the arms must be thin black rope-like limbs
- the legs must also be thin black rope-like limbs
- hands must be simple rounded knot shapes in black
- feet must be simple rounded knot shapes in black
- no visible fingers
- no realistic hands - do not add text, labels, arrows, or infographic elements
- keep the scene realistic and cinematic
- the character must remain the main focus
- the cat must stay secondary and distant
- the X-ray must clearly reveal catnip only, with no bones
- emotional fear and product-feature storytelling are the core of the image



X-ray detail:


The X-ray film must be held physically in the character’s hands
- it must show the character’s interior silhouette
- no bones, no skeleton, no internal body structure
- only catnip filling the inside
- the catnip inside the X-ray should be visually evident and distinct
- the X-ray should feel slightly illuminated or readable against the dark room



Visual focus should prioritize:


The FEAR character’s terrified reaction
- the X-ray in the hands
- the reveal that the body is filled only with catnip
- the distant cat watching
- the living room rug and scattered cat toys
- emotional tension and vulnerability



Lighting:


Low-key dark blue-black environment, soft cold moonlight, dramatic shadows, subtle practical interior ambience, deep blacks, and soft highlights on the plush texture, the X-ray film, and the cat’s silhouette in the distance.



Add a very subtle cyan-blue backlight using color #5BBCFF positioned behind the scene to softly illuminate part of the background and create a delicate rim light on the character silhouette, the X-ray edges, and selected contours of the distant cat. The glow must remain minimal and cinematic, preserving the dark atmosphere while adding depth separation and a premium branded visual tone.



Lens and camera:


Medium cinematic shot, 50mm lens, eye-level camera angle aligned with the character, shallow depth of field, sharp focus on the character and the X-ray, softer focus on the distant cat and the surrounding toys, realistic proportions, premium texture fidelity, luxury visual finish.

@reference1




Infographic proposals:




Creative rationale:


Amazon A+ Content | Initial Creative Proposal


Amazon Listing:


Credits:
Brand: LitLabs
Product: Funny Catnip Joints for Cats with Dried and Organic High Potency Catnip
Project: Infographic Design. Communicating Key Product Features
Editions: Fear Edition & Love Edition
Media Channel: Amazon Listing
Art Director: Mark Zuniga
AI Prompt Designer: Mark Zuniga
Generative AI Tool: Magnific AI, Flora AI, Chat GPT
Design Tools: Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop
Category: Pet Toys
Project Completion Date: 2026




Tuesday, January 13, 2026

End to End AI Lifestyle Workflow. Metrovac

As an Art Director, I’m responsible for creating guidelines and processes that improve how the team works and collaborates. A key part of my role is automating time-consuming tasks and workflows, allowing us to focus more energy on projects that truly demand deeper creative and strategic thinking. 

I’m constantly driven to refine and improve processes, not only to keep learning, but also to share that knowledge with others the methods, insights, and experiences that have helped me consistently deliver optimal results.

That’s why I’m sharing my workflow. I hope you find it useful and inspiring. 


Credits: Brand: Metrovac
Product: IT Vacuums and Blowers
Project: Realistic Lifestyle Product Images 
Media Channel: Amazon Listing 
Art Director: Mark Zuniga 
AI Prompt Designer: Mark Zuniga Generative 
AI Tool: Freepik 
Project Completion Date: 202

END TO END AI LIFESTYLE IMAGE. PRODUCTION WORKFLOW

Documentation of the full process: folder structure, reference selection, prompt building, generation, editing/retouching, and final client delivery.

Standardized Project Folder Structure

Standardized organization for storing briefs, working PSDs, resized/output files, and final deliverables making it easy to access each stage of the process.


Final Deliverables (Exported Files)
Export-ready results for delivery: final JPG/PNG/TIFF as requested, correct resolution, final naming convention, and approved versions only. No working files just finished outputs.

Project Intake & Requirements
Store everything received at the start: client brief, specs, required dimensions (e.g., 4000×2093), style references, deliverables list, naming/SKUs, notes, deadlines, and feedback history.

AI Generation & Retouch (Working PSDs)
Your “work-in-progress” PSDs where you fix what the AI didn’t get right: edge cleanup, shadows, deformations, weird textures, artifact removal, color correction, compositing, and any manual refinements. Fully editable files live here.

Format Adaptation (Resized/Output PSDs)
PSDs that are already cleaned up but adjusted to the requested format: reframing, background extension, layout alignment for 16:9 or custom ratios, safe margins, and consistency across the full set. This is the final PSD stage before export.

Reference Image Selection (Starting Point)

Examples of the images we chose to guide the AI from the start and keep product, background, pose, and style consistent.



Product reference preparation

To give the AI a strong product reference, we removed unnecessary elements from the original image. This helps the model focus on the essential product features and work more intelligently instead of copying the photo exactly. In some cases, a direct copy wouldn’t work because certain angles or elements may not fit the final composition.

Background guidance

To support the AI when generating backgrounds, we sometimes provided empty backgrounds with no people. This allowed the AI to build the environment more creatively, while we controlled the context and level of detail through the prompt.

Pose, models, and animals

For posture, human models, and dogs, we also supplied reference images so the AI had a closer visual target. This included specifying the exact dog breed we wanted to appear in the final result.

Prompt: Reference Mapping (Image → Role)

Each reference has a defined role and is cited in the prompt using @image # to control composition, camera angle, lighting, and realistic integration.


FREEPIK generation (Model + Output Format)

Screenshot of the Freepik Image Generator platform showing generated variations, the prompt, the selected model, and the output format/resolution settings for export.

Available Formats by AI Model

Comparison chart showing the supported formats and resolutions for each model to help identify the closest match to the client’s requirements. The selected format is highlighted in green. When using the Nano Banana or Seedream model, it provides the closest output size to the *client-requested delivery dimensions.


Final Results: Selection, Retouch, and Delivery

Shows the selected image (closest to the expected result), the marked areas requiring retouching in an editing program, and the final approved version delivered to the client.


Additional AI-Generated Variations (Lifestyle + Product in the Foreground)

Samples of additional AI-generated images for this project, keeping a lifestyle look with the product in the foreground, in use, and clearly visible.






Monday, December 29, 2025

AI Workflow for Realistic Lifestyle Product Images

Workflow for Realistic Lifestyle Product Images with a Professional Photoshoot Look. 
Freepik AI Step by Step Workflow

By using Freepik AI Image Generator, we eliminate the need for a traditional photoshoot: studio or location rental, set build-out, camera and lighting equipment, styling and props, product logistics, coordinating talent (model/photographer), multiple rounds of shots to refine angles and lighting, and lengthy post-production. This significantly reduces time and costs while maintaining a consistent, professional-quality visual result.


Credits:
Brand: RAW Rolling Papers
Product: Grinder Buddy Mill
Project: Realistic Lifestyle Product Images
Media Channel: Amazon Listing
Art Director: Mark Zuniga
AI Prompt Designer: Mark Zuniga
Generative AI Tool: Freepik
Project Completion Date: 2025

Do you prefer a more visual approach for this project?
Click here to view the project on Behance
 


STEP BY STEP WORKFLOW

1. PHOTOSHOOT

We start with a photoshoot capturing the product from multiple angles, including shots of a person interacting with it. This strengthens the prompt and helps the AI interpret the product more clearly, improving generation accuracy. These references ensure the output matches the exact product, its proportions, and the intended camera angle.


Next, we select the most suitable images those that provide the clearest references to build a consistent, high-quality composition. Below, we share an example to make it easier to understand.



2. DEFINE THE BACKGROUND

Next, we gather visual references across multiple platforms to precisely define the background and overall look of the final result. This helps us avoid overly long prompts describing lighting, contrast, and environmental elements, and instead use references to guide the AI so it stays consistent and doesn’t generate random interpretations.



3. WRITE A PROMPT + REFERENCES


3. 
FINAL RESULTS










Do you prefer a more visual approach for this project?
Click here to view the project on Behance

Wednesday, August 27, 2025

AI Turns a Pet Dryer into a Lifestyle Moment

Have you ever seen an image of a product that instantly transports you to a cozy scene and makes you think, “I need this!”? That’s the magic of a lifestyle image. It’s not just a photo it’s a story that makes the product irresistible. But what if your budget is tight and you don’t have a big production crew? 

Let me show you how I tackle daily challenges like turning a simple product photo of a pet dryer into a stunning lifestyle image that looks straight out of a high-end studio, using nothing but creativity, ingenuity, and the power of AI.



Credits:
Brand: Metrovac
Project: Lifestyle image
Art Director: Mark Zuniga
AI Prompt Designer: Kevin Kaicedo
Retoucher: Mark Zuniga
Project Completion Date: 2025

Step 1: BRIEF: Information & Goals

Our journey began with a clear brief. We gathered all the essential details: product images, specs, and its Amazon listing. The pet dryer’s features were:

  • Dual 26,370 RPM motor turbines for powerful airflow.
  • Wall-mounted for convenience and space-saving.
  • Two-speed settings for versatility.
  • Safe, gentle drying without heat.
  • Built to last—perfect for professional groomers.

The goal was to visualize this product in a real environment a cozy, inviting grooming space where the pet dryer feels essential.


Step 2: Photo References for AI: Research & Direction

Before jumping into creation, we scoured Google for reference images to shape the artistic direction. We looked for:
  • The perfect setting: a grooming station with a warm, friendly vibe.
  • The right dog breed: one that matched the product’s target audience.
  • Mood and composition: how the pet, product, and environment should align.
These references became the visual compass for our AI work.



Step 3: AI: Generated Image Prompts, Remixes, and Refinement

Armed with references, we dove into AI tools using detailed prompts to generate an image 70% true to our vision. Uploading references in Sora within ChatGPT, we played with prompts, tested countless remixes, and finally selected the image that best captured the feeling we wanted.

The AI-generated image wasn’t perfect, but it was the foundation a springboard that saved us hours of work and expensive photoshoot costs.



PROMPT:
Create a hyperrealistic render of a beige-colored labradoodle being blow-dried by a human hand from a wall-mounted vacuum-powered pet dryer in a professional veterinary or grooming setting. The dog is seated calmly on a metal veterinary exam table, which is mounted to a tiled wall. The dog's coat is short-haired, and the airflow should visibly disturb the fur-showing motion through subtle ripples or individual hairs lifting with the stream.
The vacuum unit is mounted securely on the wall, and must closely follow the design of the reference image provided-particularly the shape, surface detail, and structure. A flexible black hose extends from the unit, ending in a narrow, pointy nozzle that is actively aimed at the dog's side or back. The nozzle should appear to be in use, with fine hairs in the air or gentle fur movement for realism.
The dog's expression is relaxed or mildly curious, facing slightly forward with natural posture, as if used to being groomed. The scene should feel like a still frame from a high-end product demonstration, clean and authentic.
Use natural, diffused lighting-soft shadows and realistic metal reflections. Background is minimal: light-colored tiles, stainless steel surfaces, and functional, professional details expected in a real vet or grooming room.
Emphasize anatomical accuracy of the dog, functionality and believability of the vacuum unit, and realistic fur interaction with air.
Style: Hyperrealistic photography-style render
Camera Angle: Medium eye-level shot
Camera Motion: Still or stabilized as if from a product shoot
Lighting: Natural, soft daylight
Color Palette: Neutral and clinical-gray, white, steel, beige Mood: Clean, calm, practical



Step 4: Photoshop Retouch: Bringing It All Together

Next came the real craftsmanship: retouching in Photoshop. We refined the AI image to seamlessly integrate the product using classic and AI-powered tools:

Pen tool, patch tool, and clone stamp to clean up the scene.
Spot healing and layer masks to make sure the product blended naturally.
Generative Expand in Photoshop Beta to fill in missing elements and expand the scene.
Curves, levels, and selective color for a perfect color match.

Even though we started with only a few images of the product (some front-facing and a few others to guide the details), we managed to recreate the pet dryer’s true look—placed in a cozy grooming space, looking as natural as possible.







Step 5: Final Polish: Matching Realism with AI’s Power

The final image was more than just a picture—it was a lifestyle moment. We transformed a basic product photo into a scene that showed how the Dual Motor Pet Dryer fits perfectly in a pet lover’s world. It made the product feel real and essential.



How AI Helped Us And How It Can Help You Too

At the start, we faced a tight budget and no professional photo studio. But AI turned out to be our secret weapon—reducing production time and costs dramatically. Instead of needing a large crew or endless resources, we relied on:

✅ AI-powered prompts to create a visual direction that matched our references.
✅ AI retouching tools to elevate our images to professional levels.
✅ Fewer resources, faster output—and still an image that wowed our audience.

This project proves (and shows you too!) that AI isn’t just a trendy buzzword it’s a powerful, practical tool. It empowers small teams and even solo creatives to produce stunning, studio-level work—without the studio-level budget.

Final Thoughts

If you’re like me someone who loves to create, no matter the budget remember: AI can turn your ideas into beautiful, tangible stories. This lifestyle image wasn’t just about the product; it was about using creativity, research, and the power of AI to tell a story that resonates.

Let me know if you’d like to dive deeper into AI workflows or explore similar solutions for your next project!

Tuesday, February 18, 2025

Previous Design & Redesigned Version

Here are some client websites before and after my redesign. On the left, you’ll see the original version, and on the right, the transformed site I created.

Academy for International Education Charter School 
Previous Design (Left) | Redesigned Version (Right)



Revamped Version


Xochimex Cantina Grill.
Previous Design (Left) | Redesigned Version (Right)


Revamped Version


Credits:
Advertising Agency:  GMG Advertising
Project: Website design
CEO: Mike Beovides
Art Director: Mark Zuniga
Web Designer: Mark Zuniga
Photographer: Erick Coego
 Project Completion Date: 2020