There are also many among us for whom AI and art remain a mystery. It's often perceived as complex and inaccessible. But today, thanks to Midjourney, we get an intuitive, user-friendly platform that welcomes everyone.
In this article, we will show you how to begin with Midjourney. With some effort, you can start conjuring up stunning AI-generated art.
So, grab your creative hats, and let’s dive into the vibrant and boundless possibilities that Midjourney offers.
Getting Started with Midjourney
1. Signup & Join Midjourney Server on Discord
Unlike many digital services and tools, life with Midjourney doesn't start from their website. You need to start with Discord. This is a chat app with many servers discussing various subjects. Each server can also have multiple channels for sub-topics.
Once you've signed up for your Discord account, you can join the Midjourney Discord server. You can view public chats on the channel and see what others are doing here.
Click here to signup for Discord.
Click here to join Midjourney Discord server.
2. Subscribe to a Midjourney Plan
Signing up for Discord and joining the Midjourney server is free. However, to use Midjourney, you need a subscription plan. There are four plans available. We recommend selecting the cheapest Basic Plan to get started.
To subscribe to Midjourney, type /subscribe anywhere on the Midjourney server. Nobody else will see that text since it's a command to the Midjourney server.
Once you've typed the command and hit the enter key, you will get a subscription link for Midjourney. These links are unique, so make sure that you don't share them with anyone else. Midjourney only accepts payment plans supported by Stripe.
Once you've completed the payment, you're ready to continue your Midjouney exploration. A quick tip: watch your email for a confirmation message. That message contains some helpful resources.
Compare Midjourney Subscription Plans
| Features | Basic | Standard | Pro | Mega |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly Subscription | $10 | $30 | $60 | $120 |
| Annual Subscription | $8/mo | $24/mo | $48/mo | $96/mo |
| Fast GPU Time | 3.3 hr/month | 15 hr/month | 30 hr/month | 60 hr/month |
| Relax GPU Time | - | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Extra GPU Time | $4/hr | $4/hr | $4/hr | $4/hr |
| Work Solo In Your DMs | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Stealth Mode | - | - | Yes | Yes |
| Max Concurrent Jobs | 3 Jobs, 10 Jobs waiting in queue | 3 Jobs, 10 Jobs waiting in queue | 12 Fast Jobs, 3 Relaxed Jobs, 10 Jobs in queue | 12 Fast Jobs, 3 Relaxed Jobs, 10 Jobs in queue |
| Usage Rights | General Commercial Terms* | General Commercial Terms* | General Commercial Terms* | General Commercial Terms* |
3. Get On Midjourney Server at Discord
Now that you're all set up, it's time to familiarize yourself with the Midjourney interface. If you're already familiar with Discord, it's the same.
On the leftmost of Discord is a list of the servers you've joined. On the right of that is a list of channels that are on the selected server. If you click on a channel, you'll see the channel content on the right-hand side viewing pane.
You can start making new AI images by sending your prompts to one of these public channels.
Alternatively, you can work with Midjourney on your own private Discord server. To do so, create a private server, navigate to App Directory, search and add Midjourney Bot. Do note that images generated on private servers are still visible to other users on midjourney.com.
4. Create Your First Midjourney Image
The most important thing about starting Midjourney is learning the correct command. The command that accepts Midjourney prompts is /imagine.
To start the command, type /imagine and press the spacebar once. A prompt box will then appear. In the prompt box, type a description of the image that you have in mind. When you're done, hit the enter key.
Understanding Midjourney Operation Modes
There are three operation speed modes in Midjourney. These operation modes govern how quickly Midjourney generates images. The modes available are relax, fast, and turbo. These modes are necessary because processing prompts use a lot of server resources.
An expensive array of graphics processors powers Midjourney. Because of that, they limit the fast and turbo time you get. How much of each is available depends on your subscription plan.
Relax Mode
Consider relax mode as the base operating mode for Midjourney. When you enter a prompt in relax mode, it enters a queue. Once processing jobs ahead of you are complete, your prompt will be processed.
Fast Mode
If you're in a hurry, you can switch Midjourney to fast mode by typing /fast and hitting the enter key. Fast mode lets you jump ahead of the queue. However, the usage is limited based on your subscription plan.
On the bright side, there is a way to get some free fast mode time. Midjourney has a rating system for images. All you need is to rate images regularly. The most active raters on Midjourney will get one free hour of fast mode time daily.
Turbo Mode
You can use Midjourney's turbo mode when time is of the essence. When nothing else matters except speed, enter turbo mode by typing /turbo and hitting the enter key. Turbo mode processes Midjourney prompts four times faster than relaxed mode.
However, there is a big catch. Using turbo mode uses up your allocation of fast processing time. Each fast mode prompt consumes double the amount of allocated fast processing time.
Helpful Midjourney Commands to Know
The Midjourney server on Discord accepts many commands. These commands help you do everything from changing operation modes to getting help. For newbies, here are some interesting commands to get started with:
/docs
The /docs command will pull up information from Midjourney's help section. Type /doc, then hit the spacebar to see a list of topics. Click on any of them to view the content in that documentation section.
/describe
Midjourney not only generates images from user prompts. It can also do the reverse. Type /describe and hit the spacebar. Upload an image using the tool provided, and Midjourney will tell you how it sees the image.
The /describe command can be extremely helpful for those new to Midjourney. You can see how Midjourney interprets words and images. From there, you can more easily learn how to formulate effective prompts.
/blend
This command is helpful if you have two images you'd like to try and combine. While it may not always be helpful, it can bring many unexpected results. Who knows, you might get some new inspiration from what emerges.
/settings
The /settings command gives you instant access to many Mirjourney options. Think of it as a shortcut. Once you type it, many buttons will emerge that let you toggle various options.
/shorten
Sometimes, we get carried away and create super-long prompts. That worsens when the emerging result isn't ideal, and we add even more to the prompt. By the end, the prompt is a complete mess.
Using the /shorten command, you can use Midjourney to simplify the end-result prompt. While it won't do everything for you, you will get suggestions on how to make the prompt more efficient.
Final Thoughts
Embarking on your Midjourney adventure is a process of continuous learning and creativity. The field of AI art is still developing. There will be a ton of new stuff coming out and old stuff going away. It's a very fluid circumstance.
That means we must keep experimenting and exploring. Remember that every creation is a step forward in this exciting journey. The vast possibilities of AI art generation await. As long as you build a basic foundation, you'll be fully equipped to explore them.
