5 Prompts I Use Every Week at Work

As the founder of formspace.design, I am constantly seeking ways to optimize my work, especially considering that at 61, I am independently developing our product with the help of AI, despite not being a programmer by trade. Over the years, I've realized that the key role is played not just by the tool itself, but by the ability to interact with it correctly. Artificial intelligence has become not just an assistant but a full-fledged partner for me, and I'm ready to share five prompts that I use literally every week for a wide range of tasks—from landscape design to writing texts and coding.

1. Prompt for Generating Landscape Design Ideas and Concepts

My journey in the landscape industry began back in 1997, and during that time, I've seen many approaches to design. Today, AI allows me to get a draft concept in literally 10-15 minutes, a task that used to take hours, if not days. I use this prompt to quickly explore new styles, adapt ideas to complex sites, or simply broaden my creative horizons when I encounter 'designer's block'.

Example prompt:

“Suggest 3-5 landscape design concepts for a 12-are plot in a European style. The plot is located on a gentle slope, has a rectangular shape. Include elements for children's recreation (playground, lawn), a barbecue area with a pergola, a small decorative pond, and an orchard. Pay special attention to zoning and suggest plant options resistant to the local climate (temperate continental). Indicate the key features of each concept and approximate sizes of the main zones.”

Why it works: This prompt is detailed and contains all necessary input data: size, shape, terrain, functional zones, style, and even climatic conditions. The more precise the request, the more relevant the result. This allows me to quickly assess the plot's potential and offer the client several options for discussion before delving into detailed design. I often use it to visualize how different styles would look on the same plot, for example, as I analyzed the same request in formspace.design: three different results.

2. Prompt for Analyzing and Structuring Business Processes

For 22 years, I managed the company 'Dom i Sad' (House and Garden), and I know firsthand what years without proper management accounting are like. The pain from inefficient processes and the lack of a clear CRM became one of the reasons why I started creating formspace.design. Today, AI helps me analyze and improve internal processes, identify bottlenecks, and suggest solutions. This is especially valuable when I'm solely responsible for development and operations.

Example prompt:

“Analyze the following business process: client inquiry reception, initial consultation, site visit, commercial proposal preparation, contract signing, work execution, post-warranty service. Identify potential stages where delays or errors might occur and suggest concrete steps for their optimization. For example, how to speed up the estimation process or improve client communication after a site visit. Use my experience described in the article about years without proper management accounting.”

Why it works: I give AI not just a task, but context from my experience. It helps me look at the process with fresh eyes, suggest automation options, or reallocate tasks. This allows me not only to build formspace.design but also to effectively manage current projects, minimizing time and resource losses.

3. Prompt for Creating Content and Marketing Texts

As a former marketing expert at TimeDigitalMarket, I perfectly understand the importance of quality content. However, when you're a startup founder, developer, and designer all in one, there's little time left for writing blog articles or LinkedIn posts. AI has become my personal copywriter, helping to structure thoughts and turn them into readable and useful texts. This significantly speeds up the process and allows me to regularly share my experience and formspace.design news.

Example prompt:

“Write a short LinkedIn post about the benefits of using AI in landscape design for private property owners. Mention how AI helps save time and money, offer unique ideas, and avoid costly mistakes. Use my personal experience and the tone of someone who designs with AI. Include a call to action: try formspace.design to create your own site plan. Text length — 1500-2000 characters with spaces.”

Why it works: This prompt allows me not to get distracted by 'writer's block'. I set the topic, target audience, desired length, and even point to a specific article to capture my tone. AI quickly generates a draft, which I then edit, adding personal details and clarifications. This enables me to maintain an active media presence without excessive time expenditure.

4. Prompt for Code Development Assistance

The most surprising aspect of my journey with formspace.design is that at 61, I started coding with AI and am independently developing the product. I'm not a programmer by trade, but thanks to AI, I can solve tasks that once seemed impossible to me. This prompt is my daily companion in the world of development.

Example prompt:

“I am developing a web application using JavaScript (React) and have encountered a problem: I need to implement a component that dynamically displays a list of landscape objects (trees, shrubs, decorative elements) on an interactive map. The user should be able to add, delete, and move these objects. I need a function that will accept coordinates and object type, then add it to the map, updating the state. Advise on the best way to organize the data structure for objects and what approach to use for rendering and interacting with them on the map, considering the map is implemented using Leaflet. Provide a code example for adding and displaying an object.”

Why it works: I describe a specific technical task, indicate the technologies used, and the problem. AI acts as my personal programming mentor, offering optimal solutions, code snippets, and explanations. This significantly speeds up the development process of formspace.design, making it accessible to people without deep technical education, like myself. This is precisely how AI helps me run formspace.design without a large team.

5. Prompt for Creating Educational and Explanatory Materials

My experience teaching landscape design and architecture, which began back in 2002, taught me the value of clear and understandable explanations. Today, when I teach young architects how to work with Revit, 3ds Max, and AI, I often need to quickly create didactic materials or explain complex concepts in simple language. AI is an indispensable assistant in this.

Example prompt:

“Explain the concept of 'site zoning' in landscape design for beginners. Use simple analogies and avoid complex terminology. Describe why zoning is important, what main zones are usually identified (e.g., entrance, formal, private, utility), and how to properly position them relative to each other and the cardinal directions. Include practical tips, such as the minimum width of paths (80 cm for one person, 120 cm for a wheelbarrow) and the importance of considering the slope.”

Why it works: This prompt helps me quickly generate educational materials, which I then adapt for my audience. AI structures information, offers examples, and even suggests specific practical details that might not be obvious. This saves my time and allows me to focus on the interactive part of teaching.

How to Plan in formspace.design with AI

formspace.design is the embodiment of my experience and desire to make landscape planning accessible and effective for every plot owner. Our modules are initially designed to maximize the potential of AI, transforming complex prompts into intuitive actions.

Imagine you want to create a dream garden on a 15-are plot but don't know where to start. You can use module 2.1 'AI Concept' in formspace.design. Here, you don't need to formulate a complex text prompt. Simply upload a photo of your plot (or a diagram if you don't have a photo yet), and then, using our interactive interface, specify the desired style (e.g., minimalism, Provence, Mediterranean), preferred plants, budget, and necessary functional zones (children's playground, swimming pool, vegetable garden, relaxation area). AI will analyze this data and offer you several visual concepts that can be refined. For example, you'll receive options for the gazebo's placement relative to the house, or several suggestions for organizing a pond that will be harmoniously integrated into the landscape.

After choosing the most suitable concept, you move to module 1.x 'Plan/Zones/Objects'. Here, you can detail the chosen idea, placing specific objects, paths, and recreation areas with precise dimensions. You can 'draw' paths 1.5 meters wide, install benches, define boundaries for flower beds, or arrange trees, considering their future size. Module 3.1 'Design by Photo' will allow you to see how all these elements will look on actual photos of your plot before you start planting the first tree or digging a pond. This approach reduces design time from several weeks to several days and helps avoid the common mistake of building first and then realizing it needs to be redone.

FAQ

Do you need to be a programmer to use AI in your work?

Absolutely not. My own example shows that effective AI use does not require a programming background. The main thing is subject matter expertise in your field and a willingness to experiment with prompt formulations. AI is a tool for everyone ready to learn and adapt.

Which neural networks do I use for these prompts?

I actively use several models, including those underlying formspace.design. For text-based tasks, these are most often large language models like GPT-4, and for visualization and image generation—Stable Diffusion or Midjourney. The choice depends on the specific task and the required level of detail in the result.

How to formulate an effective prompt?

The key to an effective prompt is clarity, detail, and context. The more specific information you provide (goal, constraints, desired format, examples), the better the result will be. Always specify the role AI should adopt (e.g., 'You are a landscape designer...'), and clearly describe the desired output.

Can AI be fully trusted in landscape design?

AI is a powerful assistant, but not a replacement for human experience and creativity. It can generate excellent ideas and drafts, but the final decision, adaptation to unique site conditions, and quality control remain yours. Always verify AI's suggestions and use them as a starting point, not as a final verdict.

How long does it take to master AI tools?

Basic mastery of core AI tools can take anywhere from a few hours to several days, depending on your initial background. However, true proficiency comes with practice and continuous experimentation with prompts. I myself am constantly learning and refining my skills.

What are common mistakes when working with prompts?

One of the most common mistakes is using overly general or imprecise prompts. For example, 'Make me a beautiful garden' will yield a much less useful result than a detailed request. Another mistake is a lack of iteration: don't be afraid to refine and clarify your prompt if the initial result isn't satisfactory. Also, don't expect miracles from AI if the input data is contradictory or incomplete.

Why am I, as the founder of formspace.design, sharing these prompts?

I believe the future lies in the synergy of humans and AI. formspace.design was created from my personal pain and experience to make landscape design more accessible. By sharing my working prompts, I want to show how simply and effectively AI can be used in daily work, even if you're not a technical specialist. My goal is to inspire you to experiment and help you unlock AI's potential for your projects.

Using AI in my work is not just a trend; it's a fundamental shift in the approach to creativity and problem-solving. These five prompts are just a small part of how I integrate AI into my daily activities. I hope they inspire you to try new approaches and find your own ways to make your work more efficient and engaging. Start experimenting today, and you'll be surprised how quickly AI becomes your indispensable assistant.