5 Ways to Improve Your Video Thumbnails Without Photoshop

Design Principles > Software

A bad designer with Photoshop will still make bad thumbnails. A good designer can make art in MS Paint. Here are the rules:

1. The Rule of Thirds

Align the subject (your face or product) to the left or right third of the image. Leave the other side open for text.

2. Brightness and Saturation

Boost the brightness and saturation slightly more than you think looks 'natural'. Thumbnails appear tiny on mobile screens; they need to pop.

3. Use Arrows and Circles

It sounds cheesy, but it works. Direct the viewer's eye to the focal point immediately.

4. Consistent Branding

Use the same font and color scheme. Over time, subscribers will click just because they recognize your style.

5. Test Before You Post

Download your draft. Put it next to a pro thumbnail (get one from ThumbGrabber). Does yours stand out or fade away?