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About the course
About the course
Take your generative AI skills to the next level with this advanced six-week short course, designed for architects, designers and creative professionals looking to gain greater control over AI-generated visual content.
Moving beyond basic prompt engineering, this course explores how to create custom image generation workflows using ComfyUI, a node-based interface for open-source generative AI models.
Through live demonstrations, practical exercises and independent project work, participants will learn to control image composition, style and visual content, integrate sketches and reference imagery, and customise AI models using their own datasets.
Led by James McBennett, a computational designer specialising in digital fabrication, AI image generation and graph machine learning, the course combines technical knowledge with creative experimentation.
By the end of the course, participants will have developed a sophisticated AI-generated design visualisation for their portfolio, demonstrating a personalised approach to AI-assisted design and visual communication.
Dates: TBC
Dates: TBC
Delivery dates: Stay informed about the next run of this short course by subscribing to our newsletter
Application deadline: To be confirmed
Course cost
Course cost
£950
Additional costs may apply for access to cloud-based rendering services, depending on participants' computer specifications and chosen method of participation.
Course content
Course content
This project-based course explores advanced generative AI techniques for design visualisation, combining technical demonstrations with practical application.
Week 1: Introduction to Advanced AI Image Generation
Explore generative AI software and different models for image generation and editing. Develop prompt engineering techniques to control image content, composition and visual outcomes.
Week 2: Custom Workflows and Visualisation
Learn to develop custom image generation workflows using different visual inputs, including reference imagery. Explore approaches to generating video and 3D content, and begin developing a visualisation in response to a design brief.
Week 3: Customising Generative AI Models
Discover techniques for training and fine-tuning AI models using LoRA (Low-Rank Adaptation). Develop a custom dataset to create visual content tailored to your design project.
Weeks 4–5: Independent Project Development
Apply your learning to an individual design project, supported by online tutorials and feedback. Refine your workflows, visual language and final outputs.
Week 6: Final Project Review
Present your completed AI-generated design visualisation for online review and assessment, receiving written feedback on your work.
Throughout the course, participants will engage in hands-on exercises, live demonstrations and independent experimentation to develop their technical and creative capabilities.
Learning outcomes
Learning outcomes
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
Demonstrate an advanced understanding of generative AI tools and their application to design visualisation.
Develop and manage custom node-based image generation workflows using ComfyUI.
Apply advanced prompting techniques to control image composition, content and style.
Integrate sketches, reference imagery and other visual inputs into AI-generated design workflows.
Explore techniques for generating video and 3D content using generative AI.
Customise generative AI models using LoRA techniques and project-specific datasets.
Develop a distinctive visual language to communicate architectural and design concepts.
Produce and present a portfolio-ready AI-generated design visualisation, documenting the creative process and technical workflow.
Who is this short course for?
Who is this short course for?
This is an advanced course intended for designers with some prior experience of generative AI tools and prompt engineering.
Applicants may be required to complete a short skills assessment to demonstrate their existing knowledge. Previous completion of the Concept Ideation with AI short course or equivalent prompt engineering training may satisfy the entry requirements.
Participants will need access to suitable computing resources, either through their own compatible hardware, a paid cloud-rendering service or available university computing facilities.
Staff
Staff
Contact us
Contact us
If you have any enquiries about the course, please email us at: hst-cpdadmissions@brookes.ac.uk
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