Prompting Best Practices in Malloy Studio

1. Generate One Scene at a Time

A scene is a single motion graphic with one clear purpose.

Examples:

  • A title intro

  • A lower third

  • A logo reveal

  • A chart

Malloy Studio performs best when you generate one scene per prompt.

You can generate multiple scenes in a single prompt.
However:

  • Structure becomes more complex

  • Editable controls are harder to manage

  • Results are less predictable

For the most stable output:

Generate each scene separately.
Then combine them in your editor.

Malloy Studio is strongest at building clean, reusable components.
Build scenes individually. Stitch them together later.

2. Avoid One-Shot “Perfect” Prompts

Do not try to describe everything at once.

Avoid:

Create a full intro, transition into a chart, then animate a call-to-action
Create a full intro, transition into a chart, then animate a call-to-action
Create a full intro, transition into a chart, then animate a call-to-action

Instead:

  1. Generate structure

  2. Adjust layout

  3. Refine motion

  4. Expose controls

Build in steps.

3. Define Structure Before Style

Start with layout and hierarchy.

Then refine motion and styling.

Better:

Create a centered title with a subtitle below it
Create a centered title with a subtitle below it
Create a centered title with a subtitle below it

Then add:

Add a fade-in animation
Add a fade-in animation
Add a fade-in animation

Structure first. Motion second.

4. Be Explicit About What Should Be Editable

If something should be adjustable, expose it.

Example:

Expose the title text and accent color in the Controls
Expose the title text and accent color in the Controls
Expose the title text and accent color in the Controls

If you do not define it, it may remain fixed.

5. Use Clear Element Roles

Define what each text or object represents.

Instead of:

Add some text
Add some text
Add some text

Use:

Create a headline and supporting subtitle
Create a headline and supporting subtitle
Create a headline and supporting subtitle

Clear roles create stable layouts.

6. Update One Variable at a Time

If something looks wrong:

  • Adjust Controls first

  • Then refine one part of the prompt

Do not rewrite the entire prompt unless structure needs to change.

Small changes keep working systems stable.

7. Design for Reuse

Think beyond one export.

Ask:

  • Will this layout handle longer text?

  • Should colors be editable?

  • Should timing be adjustable?

Prompt for flexibility, not just appearance.

Core Principle

Malloy Studio works best when you:

  • Define structure clearly

  • Generate in small steps

  • Expose editable inputs

  • Build scenes separately

Stable structure produces reusable motion graphics.