Mastering Gemini's Image Aspect Ratios: Tips for Google Workspace Creators

At workalizer.com, our Community Insights section is dedicated to bringing you practical, user-driven solutions and observations from across the Google Workspace ecosystem. While many of our insights focus on optimizing tools like Google Meet, providing valuable context to google meet user statistics, or understanding data usage for google meet, we also dive into creative applications. This particular insight highlights a common challenge faced by users leveraging Gemini for image generation, offering workarounds that can streamline your creative workflow and enhance the utility of your Google Workspace tools beyond what you might see on a standard gapps dashboard.

Gemini's Image Aspect Ratio Conundrum: When Reference Images Take Priority

A recent thread on the Google support forum brought to light an interesting quirk in Gemini's image generation capabilities, specifically concerning aspect ratios. Users are finding that when reference images are provided, Gemini tends to prioritize their dimensions, often overriding explicit aspect ratio instructions given in the text prompt. This can be a significant hurdle for creators aiming for precise visual outputs.

The User's Challenge: Locked at 16:9

The original poster, "gemini_platform," described a scenario (Thread #409271498, created 2026-02-12T09:32:51.688Z) where they provided Gemini with four 16:9 aspect ratio images of a character. After instructing Gemini to remember the character's characteristics, they attempted to generate a new image of the character in a 9:16 aspect ratio. Despite a clear instruction in the prompt, the output image consistently remained locked at 16:9.

Here's the prompt that led to the issue:

Create a new image from M in 9:16 aspect ratio. Bird eye view, Background: Valentine pink background The girl is holding a box of chocolates, her left hand raised to face level and forming a V shape, kneeling on the floor. The drawing style is the same as the original character image, looking towards the viewer and smiling.

This experience highlights a common frustration: when an AI model like Gemini is given both visual and textual cues, its internal prioritization can sometimes lead to unexpected results. In this case, the strong visual input of the 16:9 reference images seemed to outweigh the explicit textual instruction for a 9:16 output.

Unlocking Aspect Ratio Control: Practical Workarounds

Fortunately, the community quickly jumped in with solutions. Fred SR, a helpful contributor, provided two key strategies to regain control over aspect ratios.

The "Blank Canvas" Method in Gemini Chat

Fred SR's primary workaround, detailed in his replies (2026-02-12T09:32:51.688Z), involves a clever trick to guide Gemini's visual understanding. He explained:

"The Gemini model currently prioritizes the dimensions of verified reference images over text instructions; to fix this, create a blank white or transparent image in your desired 9:16 aspect ratio, upload it as the last image in your prompt, and instruct Gemini to 'use the last uploaded image as the layout canvas.'"

This method leverages Gemini's tendency to prioritize the *last* uploaded image, particularly when explicitly told to use it as a layout guide. By providing a blank image with the desired dimensions (e.g., a 9:16 white rectangle), you essentially give Gemini a visual template to follow, overriding the aspect ratio of earlier reference images.

How to Implement the Blank Canvas Method:

1. Prepare Your Blank Canvas: Use any image editing tool (even a simple paint program or Google Drawings) to create a completely blank image (white or transparent) with your desired aspect ratio (e.g., 9:16, 1:1, 4:3). Save it as a JPG or PNG.
2. Upload Reference Images First: Upload all your character reference images (the 16:9 ones in the original poster's case) to Gemini as usual.
3. Upload the Blank Canvas Last: Crucially, upload your specially prepared blank image as the *very last* attachment in your prompt.
4. Refine Your Prompt: Add a clear instruction to your prompt, such as "use the last uploaded image as the layout canvas" or "generate the image using the aspect ratio of the final uploaded image."
5. Submit Your Prompt: Gemini should now generate an image that respects the aspect ratio of your blank canvas, while still drawing inspiration from your earlier reference images for character details and style.

The original poster, Khánh Anh Đoàn, noted that this method had worked for them previously but stopped working recently. This suggests that AI models are constantly evolving, and what works one day might require slight adjustments the next. It underscores the importance of staying flexible and experimenting with prompts.

Leveraging Google ImageFX for Dedicated Control

For those seeking a more straightforward and dedicated solution, Fred SR also recommended Google ImageFX. He stated:

"For easier control without 'hacks,' try using Google ImageFX (available in verified regions), which uses the same Imagen model but includes a dedicated dropdown menu to force 9:16 or 16:9 aspect ratios."

ImageFX is Google's experimental AI image generation tool designed for more granular control over various aspects of image creation, including aspect ratio. It provides a user-friendly interface with explicit options, removing the need for creative prompt engineering workarounds. If you're frequently generating images with specific dimensions, ImageFX can be a significant time-saver and provide more consistent results.

Best Practices for AI Image Generation with Gemini

Beyond aspect ratios, here are some general tips to get the most out of Gemini for image creation:

• Be Specific and Descriptive: The more detail you provide in your prompt, the better Gemini can understand your vision.
• Experiment with Prompt Order: The order of instructions and even attached images can sometimes influence the output.
• Iterate and Refine: Don't expect perfection on the first try. Generate multiple variations and refine your prompt based on the results.
• Understand Model Limitations: AI models are powerful but have limitations. Some concepts or complex compositions might require multiple steps or external editing.
• Stay Updated: Google frequently updates its AI models. Keep an eye on announcements and community forums for new features or changes in behavior.

Integrating Creative AI into Your Google Workspace Workflow

Tools like Gemini and ImageFX are increasingly becoming integral parts of the broader Google Workspace ecosystem. While your gapps dashboard might primarily show your email, calendar, and document tools, the integration of AI for creative tasks is expanding its utility. From generating custom graphics for Google Slides presentations to creating unique visuals for marketing materials managed in Google Drive, these AI capabilities streamline workflows and empower users to produce high-quality content more efficiently. Understanding how to effectively use these tools, whether for a quick image resize or a complex creative brief, enhances your overall productivity and digital prowess.

Conclusion

While Gemini's tendency to prioritize reference image aspect ratios can be a momentary roadblock, the "blank canvas" workaround and the dedicated controls in Google ImageFX offer robust solutions. By understanding how these AI models interpret visual and textual inputs, you can master your image generation workflow and consistently achieve the desired results. We encourage you to experiment with these tips and share your experiences in the comments below. Your insights help us all navigate the exciting and evolving landscape of Google Workspace and AI-powered creativity!