Learn Thumbnails

Learn Thumbnails

A show about YouTube thumbnails, strategy, and design hosted by David Altizer featuring some of the biggest creators and thumbnail designers on the internet!

Episodes

August 9, 2025 96 mins

We dive deep into why thumbnail designers might actually run YouTube


Plus we roast some thumbnails and have some great discussions about the craft


But the best part? We had a wild surprise guest at the end


A YouTube creator with millions of views jumped in and walked us through his workflow and creative process


The stuff he shared was honestly huge for anyone who cares about thumbnails


Follow me on X: https://x.com/d...

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Is hiring a human designer even necessary anymore?


AI can create thumbnails, logos, and entire brand identities in minutes.


But more and more clients are begging for human-only creatives.


In this episode, we break down:

• Why this “human resurgence” is happening

• Where AI fits into real creative work

• How to stand out in the next wave of design


Follow me on X: https://x.com/dvdaltizer


CHAPTERS

(00:00) Hiring a Designe...

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Tired of getting garbage assets from creators? Or unsure how to take better photos for your own thumbnails? This episode breaks down exactly what makes a good asset, how to communicate with clients, and the lighting setups that actually work. Whether you’re a designer or a YouTuber, this is the no-BS guide to getting thumbnails that pop.


TIMESTAMPS

(00:00) - How to Get Good Assets

(01:32) - Where to Find Assets

(02:11) - Why Ligh...

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Join the Learn Thumbnails crew as they return for another lively "Thumbnail Thursday"—now rebranded as the Learn Thumbnails Show! Host David and a rotating panel of top designers and creators dive deep into the evolving world of YouTube thumbnails, the explosive impact of AI tools like ChatGPT on creative workflows, and the launch of the new Thumbnail Academy.

Hear candid discussions about the balance between handmade arti...

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Hayden talks about how he edited @johnnywharris's recent videohis interview with the Deadpool & Wolverine editors on @TheEditingPodand the future of the Hayden Hillier-Smith YouTube channel


TIMESTAMPS:(00:27) Finished Editing for Johnny Harris(05:12) Johnny Harris Spotlight(09:07) Hayden's Deadpool & Wolverine Interview(16:28) Disney Wouldn't Approve Editing Pod(39:02) Crafting Titles That Work(47:41) Audienc...

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Original Space: https://x.com/i/spaces/1YpKklbNLQwGj


@AdrianDittmann graciously hosted this episode on his account, which has over a hundred thousand curious and dedicated followers who value unique, deep conversations Top-tier thumbnail designers @BrittCarlini, @DillToma, and @MostafaVisuals join in the conversation, along with MidJourney guru @NickFloats and other YouTube industry professionals Timestamps:

(00:00) Intro (0...

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Original Space: https://x.com/i/spaces/1gqGvNLnXXjGB


(00:00) Introduction

(01:52) Judging the Contest Submissions

(12:12) Announcing the Winner

(15:05) Interview with Winner

(35:47) Other Competition Entries

(40:18) Interview with Richard Founder of 1of10

(41:48) Inception of Innovation

(44:26) Distinguishing Different Algorithms

(44:48) Tailoring Tools for Better Results

(56:56) Longer Videos

(59:44) The Importance of Thumbna...

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Original Space: https://x.com/i/spaces/1ZkKzRPqdEaKv


Special thanks to 1of10.com for sponsoring the contest!


Nick DiGiovanni is a chef with over 18 Million subscribers on YouTube, generating half a billion views a month. Zach Blank is Nick's producer of the YouTube channel and the main lead on thumbnail design and iteration. In our conversation here on Thumbnail Thursday, we discuss their thumbnail design philosophies...

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Original Space: https://x.com/i/spaces/1dRJZdzAgLvKB


(00:00) Introduction

(01:03) Thumbnail Thursday Contest Announcement

(09:47) Discussion on Iconic Photo of Donald Trump

(13:54) Appreciation of Photojournalism Skill

(27:37) Reflection on Community Building Efforts

(31:04) Discussion on Realistic Look in Thumbnails

(35:35) Proposal for In-Camera Thumbnail Photoshoots

(41:35) Movie Posters vs. YouTube Thumbnails

(44:46) Profe...

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Original X Space: https://x.com/i/spaces/1BRJjwzRLyBxw


Chapters

(00:00) Intro

(04:21) Thumbnail Design Strategies

(13:44) The Power of Simplicity in Thumbnails

(20:24) The Fine Line Between Inspiration and Plagiarism

(28:11) The Impact of Thumbnail Changes on Viewer Perception

(33:04) Collaborative Ideation for Effective Thumbnails

(44:39) Comprehensive Thumbnail Strategy

(47:10) Breaking News from Veteran Teachers

(53:38) Liv...

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Original Space: https://x.com/i/spaces/1lPKqbMaWlbGb


This Thumbnail Thursday episode discusses client interactions, A-B testing, and VidCon anticipation. We emphasize experimenting with different thumbnail styles, highlighting the impact of authenticity, and tailoring thumbnails to specific niches. We share insights from a thumbnail contest, offer design strategy tips, and touch on YouTube analytics tools. We also tackle chall...

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Original Space: https://x.com/i/spaces/1yNGaZNXBBWJj


In this episode, we explore A-B testing on YouTube, focusing on thumbnail comparison testing. We discuss creating distinct thumbnails to gauge audience response and sharing our experiences and strategies. We highlight how subtle thumbnail differences affect watch time for both core and casual audiences.


We compare VidCon and VidSummit, showcase successful thumbnail test...

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Original Space: https://x.com/i/spaces/1jMJgmeAEEMKL


Reflecting on feedback from our episode with Chucky from MrBeast and the ViewStats co-creator, we dive into insights on thumbnails. We discuss feedback, ViewStats Pro's features, pricing, and A-B testing tools for optimization. Analyzing view stats with ViewStats Pro, we stress continuous learning in thumbnail design. Our thumbnail creation process focuses on titles, thu...

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Original Space: https://x.com/i/spaces/1nAKEaLwpMOKL


Special guest Chucky shares insights on creating YouTube thumbnails for MrBeast. We also discuss the company Chucky co-founded with MrBeast, Viewstats, and the newest product, Viewstats Pro.



(00:00) Introduction

(02:24) Chucky's YouTube Journey

(04:06) MrBeast's Hands-On Involvement

(08:12) The Thumbnail Team

(11:32) Research Work & Asset Shooting

(1...

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Recorded 02/29/24

Original XSpace: https://x.com/i/spaces/1vAxRvLpMbZxl


This episode discusses managing client expectations and the importance of realistic deadlines. We explore challenges in Twitter Spaces, share success stories, and delve into crafting compelling thumbnails. Our conversation covers trends, design elements, and the evolving landscape of thumbnail creation. Join us for insights into the intricate world of YouT...

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Recorded 02/22/24

Listen to the original XSpace: https://x.com/i/spaces/1YpJkwoLlWBJj


In this episode, we dive into YouTube thumbnails, covering pricing, design psychology, and a potential book collaboration. A trucker and filmmaker share insights on industry challenges, the YouTube algorithm, and design strategies. We discuss the importance of informative thumbnails, clickbait tactics, aligning titles with thumbnails, and tip...

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Recorded 02/15/24

Listen to the original XSpace: https://x.com/i/spaces/1MnxnMyRygoJO


In this Thumbnail Thursday session, we dive into catering to a global audience, thumbnail design trends, and the benefits of creators launching their products. We discuss the importance of thumbnails for viewer engagement, optimizing them for YouTube, and evolving design pricing strategies. The conversation also explores the impact of AI in ...

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Recorded 02/08/24

Listen to the original XSpace. Part 1: https://x.com/i/spaces/1rmxPMprWMYKN Part 2: https://x.com/i/spaces/1yoKMwLpVmzJQ


In this episode of Thumbnail Thursday, we explore the art of designing captivating thumbnails for YouTube videos and podcasts. Mustafa, Murray, and Philip share insights on the importance of simplicity, authenticity, and the "emoji mindset" in creating visually appealing thumbnai...

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Recorded 02/01/24

Listen to the original XSpace: https://x.com/i/spaces/1rmGPMEkmvqJN


In this episode of Thumbnail Thursday, we explore the art of creating captivating thumbnails for YouTube success. Mustafa and I share insights on aligning thumbnails with video content to boost viewer engagement, drawing from experiences with Kurtis Connor and Cody Co. Guest speaker Nate Wealth joins us to discuss authenticity and innovation ...

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Recorded 01/24/24

Listen to the original XSpace: https://x.com/i/spaces/1kvJpvLvPXdKE


In this episode of Thumbnail Thursday, we delve into thumbnail design, covering AI tools, client interactions, and community engagement. We explore Adobe Photoshop on Apple Vision devices, handling demanding clients, and the value of subscription services in design. Our main speaker shares insights on AI tools for mockups, thumbnail design ps...

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