After Ghibli studio-style photographs, generative AI is reshaping the best way folks work together with digital artwork, and the newest development taking on social media entails turning photographs into stylised motion determine portraits. By utilizing instruments like ChatGPT and AI-powered picture turbines, customers are creating cartoon-like variations of themselves encased in digital toy packaging, paying homage to basic motion figures.

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This development builds on the lasting attraction of the “Barbiecore” aesthetic, with a brand new twist that leans into the nostalgia of Nineties and 2000s toy commercials. The photographs usually characteristic daring colors, dramatic lighting, and customised equipment, full with logos, taglines, and fictional character stats. The outcome? A visually putting, shareable piece of digital artwork that brings a toylike fantasy to life.
The right way to create an AI motion determine picture
For these seeking to soar on the development, creating an AI-generated motion determine portrait entails just a few key steps:
1. Write a ChatGPT immediate
Customers can begin by crafting an in depth immediate in ChatGPT’s picture era characteristic. A pattern immediate may be:
“Generate a picture of an individual styled as a futuristic motion determine in a plastic toy field, with daring colors, equipment, and dramatic lighting. Embody the phrases ‘Collectible Version’ and ‘Hero Mode Activated’ on the packaging.”
Personalisation is essential, permitting customers to decide on themes like house explorer, fantasy warrior, or cyberpunk ninja.
2. Add a reference picture
To boost accuracy, customers can add a high-resolution selfie or reference picture. They will specify parts to retain, similar to coiffure, outfit, or pose, guaranteeing the AI-generated determine resembles them.
3. Refine the design
If the primary outcome isn’t good, customers can tweak their prompts, adjusting background colors, including equipment, or refining the field design.
4. Add textual content and results
For a extra lifelike toy-box impact, customers can request AI to generate photographs with embedded textual content, similar to toy labels, logos, or character energy stats. A easy command like “Embody the textual content ‘Galactic Defender’ and an influence ranking chart on the facet of the field” can elevate the ultimate picture.
5. Obtain and share
As soon as glad with the ultimate design, customers can obtain the picture and publish it throughout social media platforms, usually utilizing hashtags like #BarbieBoxChallenge to affix the viral development.
Whereas no single creator is credited with beginning the development, it gained momentum in early 2025, fuelled by TikTok customers sharing their AI-generated boxed avatars. The aesthetic has resonated with those that grew up with motion figures, bringing a way of nostalgia whereas showcasing AI’s artistic potential.