The Style Progression of a NotebookLM Infographic

by Lisa Peyton and her team of AI superheroes

Google’s NotebookLM has a surprisingly powerful infographic generator tucked inside it. But unfortunately most marketers stop at the default prompt and wonder why their visuals look generic as hell. The secret? Layer your prompts like you’re building a design brief.

Reddit user Paolo-Cortez cracked the code on this and designed a series of infographic styles that show exactly how to art-direct NotebookLM. He built complete prompt templates with tone, color palettes, typography specs, and visual elements that transform generic diagrams into distinctive designs. You can find his complete style prompt templates in this Reddit thread.

Here’s how the same content audit assignment transforms when you progressively add Paolo’s design specifications:

1. The Starting Point: Generic AF (But Effective as Hell!)

Prompt: An overview of the digital content audit assignment for my students, helping them see the entire process.

This is what you get with zero design direction. It’s… fine. Functional. Boring as a corporate training deck.

2. Add a Color Scheme

Prompt: I want an infographic providing an overview of the digital content audit that my students are conducting. Go with a monochromatic color scheme using green.

Better. Now it’s got a vibe. Simple color direction gives it some personality.

3. Throw in a Style Reference

Prompt: An overview of the digital content audit assignment for my students, helping them see the entire process. Make this in the style of a comic book.

Now we’re cooking. A style reference instantly gives you visual direction. Comic book, watercolor, technical diagram—pick your lane.

4. Layer in Full Design Specs: Ghibli Vibes

Prompt: An overview of the digital content audit assignment for my students. Tone: Nostalgic, Educational, Whimsical. Background: #FAF8F2. Text: #2B2B2B. Accent: #212635. Secondary Colors: #9ABF89, #F4B98E, #89C2D9. Image Style: Ghibli characters, watercolor wash, organic paths. Typography: Humanist Sans-Serif headlines.

This is where shit gets real. You’re not just asking for an infographic—you’re art directing it. Specific hex codes, typography choices, visual metaphors. This looks intentional.

5. Go Full Maximalist: 70s Psychedelic

Prompt: An overview of the digital content audit. Tone: Playful, energetic, whimsical. Background: #FFF9C4. Text: #2A0A4A. Accent: #FF6E40. Secondary: #F06292, #4DD0E1, #9575CD. Features: Wavy rainbow borders, peace signs, mushrooms, daisies. Typography: Chunky bubble-style with drop shadows. Tags: Psychedelic, Retro Pop, 70s Aesthetic.

Want your infographic to slap people in the face with personality? This is how. Specific visual motifs, era-specific design language, bold color choices.

6. Go Dark and Futuristic: Fractal Neon

Prompt: An overview of the digital content audit. Tone: Futuristic, authoritative, scientifically mesmerizing. Background: #050005. Text: #FFFFFF. Accent: #E040FB. Secondary: #76FF03, #9C27B0. Features: Mandelbrot fractals, recursive geometry, glowing filaments. Art Style: Generative Fractal with neon luminescence. Typography: Sans-Serif Condensed, uppercase headlines.

This is what happens when you combine specific art techniques (fractals, neon) with precise color science. You get something that looks like it belongs in a tech keynote.

7. Keep It Human: Hand-Drawn Sketch Notes (The One I Actually Used)

Prompt: An overview of the digital content audit. Tone: Educational, pragmatic, workshop-style. Background: #EEF1F3. Text: #1B2A41. Accent: #B93A2B. Features: Hand-drawn diagrams, numbered panels, visual metaphors. Texture: Analog paper grain, marker strokes, wobbly ink lines. Typography: Hand-lettered bold caps, neat hand-printed sans-serif body.

Sometimes the best way to stand out is to go analog. This style works killer for educational content because it feels approachable and workshop-ready.

The Takeaway

Stop settling for default prompts. NotebookLM’s infographic tool is capable of way more than generic diagrams – but only if you tell it exactly what you want. Think like a designer: tone, color palette, typography, visual style, specific motifs. The more detailed your prompt, the more distinctive your output.

All infographic designs and prompt frameworks: Paolo-Cortez (r/notebooklm)

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