Talking head style composition featuring Andrei

Research and Ideation

Imagery Development

Photo Retouching

Adobe Photoshop:

• Photo manipulation

• Color grading

• Upscaling

• Format conversion.

ChatGPT and YouTube

• Research and Inspiration

• Brainstorming

Social Media - X, Reddit, Discord, LinkedIn

• Feedback

• Inspiration

The goal was to create a talking-head style composition thumbnail with a focus on 'how much the client made from dividend investing' in a period of 12 months.  

"The thumbnail should immediately arrest the viewer's attention. The messaging and imagery should strictly be on topic, and the composition balanced and based on our demographics.

Should be professional with the message weaving through the whole composition. The final design should look polished, all elements cleanly cut out and blended seamlessly to complement the key message.

Make the caption and subject the focal points of the thumbnail. Ensure the lighting and shadows are adjusted to highlight their features.

File preparation and delivery: Save the final image in PNG format. Organize the source files and bundle them up in the final thumbnail files for delivery within 24 hours."

I began by reviewing the video script to understand the key points and overall message. This gave me a clear idea of the elements that needed to be highlighted in the thumbnail to attract viewers. After some research and inspiration, ideation and feedback on the sketches, I was ready to roll. 

I set the dimensions to 1280x720 pixels (YouTube recommended thumbnail size) to ensure the output would be of a high resolution. I also set the resolution to 72 pixels/inch since this was intended for web use.

From the asset files in Google Drive, I uploaded the client's headshot, cropped off the background and balanced the light and shadows on the face. I downloaded the phone and added the shared figures of dividends earned. I made this in white and showed the increase in value in green, just as it appears in real life. But because the latter is a secondary element, I applied blur so that the primary elements ( text in white) could stand out. 

To blend all elements together and bring in a sense of harmony, I used a minimal grey-white gradient as a backdrop. I also fine-tuned the lighting and added highlights to increase contrast.

After feedback loops, the client was satisfied and I saved the final image as a PNG, bundled the source files and sent them over to the channel strategist. 

Talking head style composition featuring Andrei

Research and Ideation

Imagery Development

Photo Retouching

Adobe Photoshop:

• Photo manipulation

• Color grading

• Upscaling

• Format conversion.

ChatGPT and YouTube

• Research and Inspiration

• Brainstorming

Social Media - X, Reddit, Discord, LinkedIn

• Feedback

• Inspiration

Create a talking-head style composition thumbnail with a focus on 'how to protect one's bitcoin'.  The thumbnail should immediately arrest the viewer's attention. The messaging and imagery should strictly be on topic, and the composition balanced and based on our demographics.

Should be professional with the message weaving through the whole composition. The final design should look polished, all elements cleanly cut out and blended seamlessly to complement the key message.

Make the caption and subject the focal points of the thumbnail. Ensure the lighting and shadows are adjusted to highlight their features.

File preparation and delivery: Save the final image in PNG format. Organize the source files and bundle them up in the final thumbnail files for delivery within 24 hours.

I began by reviewing the video script to understand the key points and overall message. This gave me a clear idea of the elements that needed to be highlighted in the thumbnail to attract viewers.

I set the dimensions to 1280x720 pixels (YouTube recommended thumbnail size) to ensure the output would be of a high resolution. I also set the dpi to 72 pixels/inch since this was intended for web use.

From the asset files in Google Drive, I uploaded the client's image by the laptop, cropped off the background and balanced the light and shadows on the whole photo. We both wanted it all natural so I introduced his workspace as a background. I added the text, put it in the back and adjusted the kerning so that most part of it was visible.

To blend all elements together and bring in a sense of harmony, I used a minimal grey color as a glaze on the wall in the background. I also fine-tuned the lighting and added highlights to increase contrast.

After feedback loops, the client was satisfied and I saved the final image as a PNG, bundled the source files and sent them over to the channel strategist. 

Talking head style composition

Research and Ideation

Imagery Development

Photo Retouching

Adobe Photoshop:

• Photo manipulation

• Color grading

• Upscaling

• Format conversion.

ChatGPT and YouTube

• Research and Inspiration

• Brainstorming

Social Media - X, Reddit, Discord, LinkedIn

• Feedback

• Inspiration

Create a talking-head style composition thumbnail with a focus on 'the latest changes in the rate cuts by the feds'.  The thumbnail should immediately arrest the viewer's attention. The messaging and imagery should strictly be on topic, and the composition balanced and based on our demographics.

Should be professional with the message weaving through the whole composition. The final design should look polished, all elements cleanly cut out and blended seamlessly to complement the key message.

Make the caption and subject the focal points of the thumbnail. Ensure the lighting and shadows are adjusted to highlight their features.

File preparation and delivery: Save the final image in PNG format. Organize the source files and bundle them up in the final thumbnail files for delivery within 24 hours.

I began by reviewing the video script to understand the key points and overall message. This gave me a clear idea of the elements that needed to be highlighted in the thumbnail to attract viewers.

I set the dimensions to 1280x720 pixels (YouTube recommended thumbnail size) to ensure the output would be of a high resolution. I also set the dpi to 72 pixels/inch since this was intended for web use.

After some research and inspiration, ideation and feedback from the strategist, I downloaded an image of Jerome Powell, Chair of the Federal Reserve of the United States - this would be the focal point of the composition. Because this is a topic concerning the state, it was only fitting to include a representation of the state house to act as a backdrop. So far, the message is home - with only core elements in frame. The only remaining part was give it a little character, and so I settled for a red boost in saturation for the background - to suggest urgency, and Jerome in blue, to show stability and also contrast the background.

After feedback loops, the client was satisfied and I saved the final image as a PNG, bundled the source files and sent them over to the channel strategist. 

Talking head style composition featuring Andrei

Research and Ideation

Imagery Development

Photo Retouching

Adobe Photoshop:

• Photo manipulation

• Color grading

• Upscaling

• Format conversion.

ChatGPT and YouTube

• Research and Inspiration

• Brainstorming

Social Media - X, Reddit, Discord, LinkedIn

• Feedback

• Inspiration

Create a talking-head style composition thumbnail with a focus on 'why the US might be considering to start acquiring Bitcoin'.  The thumbnail should immediately arrest the viewer's attention. The messaging and imagery should strictly be on topic, and the composition balanced and based on our demographics.

Should be professional with the message weaving through the whole composition. The final design should look polished, all elements cleanly cut out and blended seamlessly to complement the key message.

Make the caption and subject the focal points of the thumbnail. Ensure the lighting and shadows are adjusted to highlight their features.

File preparation and delivery: Save the final image in PNG format. Organize the source files and bundle them up in the final thumbnail files for delivery within 24 hours.

I began by reviewing the video script to understand the key points and overall message. This gave me a clear idea of the elements that needed to be highlighted in the thumbnail to attract viewers.

I set the dimensions to 1280x720 pixels (YouTube recommended thumbnail size) to ensure the output would be of a high resolution. I also set the dpi to 72 pixels/inch since this was intended for web use.

From the asset files in Google Drive, I uploaded the client's image, cropped off the background and balanced the light and shadows on the whole photo. And because we're talking about the US, an American flag for a backdrop was a solid choice. I searched online for an American flag and retouched it to increase the contrast, give it some texture and add some shadows so the client in front is not competing for attention with it. I then downloaded the bitcoin silver, blended it with the flag and a slight shadow so it stands out from the backdrop and also looks natural.

After feedback loops, the client was satisfied and I saved the final image as a PNG, bundled the source files and sent them over to the channel strategist. 

Talking head style composition

Research and Ideation

Imagery Development

Photo Retouching

Adobe Photoshop:

• Photo manipulation

• Color grading

• Upscaling

• Format conversion.

ChatGPT and YouTube

• Research and Inspiration

• Brainstorming

Social Media - X, Reddit, Discord, LinkedIn

• Feedback

• Inspiration

Create a talking-head style composition thumbnail with a focus on how I earn over $1K from my investments.  Make sure you research the latest trends and let's stick with what worked before. The thumbnail should immediately get the viewer to click- with factual information of course. The messaging and imagery should strictly be on topic, and the composition balanced and based on our demographics.

Should be professional with the message weaving through the whole composition. The final design should look polished, all elements cleanly cut out and blended seamlessly to complement the key message.

Make the caption and subject the focal points of the thumbnail. Ensure the lighting and shadows are adjusted to highlight their features.

File preparation and delivery: Save the final image in PNG format. Organize the source files and bundle them up in the final thumbnail files for delivery within 12 hours.

I began by reviewing the video script to understand the key points and overall message. This gave me a clear idea of the elements that needed to be highlighted in the thumbnail to attract viewers.

I set the dimensions to 1280x720 pixels (YouTube recommended thumbnail size) to ensure the output would be of a high resolution. I also set the dpi to 72 pixels/inch since this was intended for web use.

From the asset files in Google Drive, I uploaded the client's image, cropped off the background and balanced the light and shadows on the whole photo. Using the data from research, I created the white rectangles to bear the payment platforms logos. I duplicated them to show a sense of abundance - as in to suggest the loads of money coming in. I searched online for a PayPal logo and Shopify logo to supplement the caption. I added the given figures and added the time factor to suggest the frequency of payouts.

To blend all elements together and bring in a sense of balance so the elements don't look like they are suspended in the air, I used a deep green gradient as a backdrop. I also fine-tuned the lighting and added highlights to increase contrast.

After feedback loops, the client was satisfied and I saved the final image as a PNG, bundled the source files and sent them over to the channel strategist. 

Talking head style composition

Research and Ideation

Imagery Development

Photo Retouching

Adobe Photoshop:

• Photo manipulation

• Color grading

• Upscaling

• Format conversion.

ChatGPT and YouTube

• Research and Inspiration

• Brainstorming

Social Media - X, Reddit, Discord, LinkedIn

• Feedback

• Inspiration

Create a talking-head style composition thumbnail with a focus on t.  Make sure you research the latest trends and let's stick with what worked before. The thumbnail should immediately get the viewer to click- with factual information of course. The messaging and imagery should strictly be on topic, and the composition balanced and based on our demographics.

Should be professional with the message weaving through the whole composition. The final design should look polished, all elements cleanly cut out and blended seamlessly to complement the key message.

Make the caption and subject the focal points of the thumbnail. Ensure the lighting and shadows are adjusted to highlight their features.

File preparation and delivery: Save the final image in PNG format. Organize the source files and bundle them up in the final thumbnail files for delivery within 12 hours.

I began by reviewing the video script to understand the key points and overall message. This gave me a clear idea of the elements that needed to be highlighted in the thumbnail to attract viewers.

I set the dimensions to 1280x720 pixels (YouTube recommended thumbnail size) to ensure it was HD. I also set the resolution to 72 pixels/inch since this was intended for web use.

To create the background, I used a gradient. I chose a gradient that transitions from red to blue, true to the brand colors of the channel.

Next, I added the vertical red neon light and the small lamp on the right. For the neon light, I drew a long, thin rectangle and added a glow effect by adjusting the layer style. I changed the color to red and increased the size and spread to create the neon effect.

For the small lamp, I used a stock image of a lamp, imported it into Photoshop, and positioned it on the right side of the canvas. I carefully cut out the lamp from its background and applied a subtle glow effect to make it look lit.

I added a candle on the left by importing another stock image. I positioned it on a stool and cut it out from its background. I then applied a small glow effect to the flame to make it appear as if it was glowing.

To blend all elements together, I used adjustment layers. I tweaked the overall colors, making sure the red and blue tones complemented each other. I also fine-tuned the lighting and contrast.

Finally, I added some finishing touches. I added a soft light effect around the man's shoulders, making him stand out more against the background. I also added a slight vignette by creating a darkened border around the image and blending it subtly.

I saved the final image as a PNG and exported it, ready for uploading.

Follow the video script to come up with a thumbnail for the video

Photo manipulation - change person, edit the list of companies, background enhancement

Develop color palette and choose font style

Caption the thumbnail

Adobe Photoshop:

• Photo manipulation

• Color grading

• Upscaling

• Format conversion.

ChatGPT and YouTube

• Research and Inspiration

• Brainstorming

Social Media - X, Reddit, Discord, LinkedIn

• Feedback

• Inspiration

Goal #1: Choose one title—discuss it with me and tell me which one you think is the best (it should fit the thumbnail like a combo).

The initial title (without big curiosity baits):

How POWER is Gained: A Simple Principle

---

A little bit different, with curiosity baits:

How POWER is Gained: A Simple Principle

How POWER is Actually Being Gained: A Simple Principle

How to Not Be a SLAVE and Gain POWER: A Simple Guide

This Is Why You Don't Have Power

Rat Race: The Untold Truth About Power

Goal #2: The Thumbnail Itself  - Let's discuss what ideas you got, before creating the thumbnail itself, here are some important points:

It should be in a similar style to the examples below (not overly emotional or targeting children, like MrBeast or exposure of youtubers type of thumbnails), by targeting adult viewers, and yet interesting them.

It should be unique, creative, and form a brand (this means that only on this channel will you find this type of thumbnail) —a killer design.

It should contain basic psychological thumbnail points, such as creating curiosity for the viewer, a stylish color palette that attracts attention—contrast (not the MrBeast type of stuff), scroll stoppers (maybe), and a main object.

Now let's think of a thumbnail concept based on the title and the points I provided. I have some ideas, but I am open to discussing them with you. In this work, 70% is psychology and 30% is design itself, which is why I am discussing this with you.

I have an idea that the thumbnail should contain the concept of a puppet master or a system controlled by a capitalistic businessman; for example, this looks interesting. Or it could feature some kind of minimalist system, like the second picture. What ideas do you have? Let's discuss

[This was the thought process and workflow in google docs]

I have underlined some pointers, reservations etc. and made some comments on the right. Any quoted text is a reference to the description you shared earlier.

Title choice: Rat Race: The Untold Truth About Power

My Thought Process

I like the “rat race” phrase. Its presence, I believe, best describes the quest for power, which involves high competition, urgency, stress, etc. By linking it to "Power," the title suggests that there's a deeper, perhaps darker, aspect of this struggle that isn't often discussed.

“The Untold Truth": A hint that the video will reveal something hidden or unknown. It piques curiosity, makes me want to click to uncover what I might be missing about the concept of power.

Also from the SEO perspective, “the untold truth” carries the day. I am all for it.

The Composition 

1. I have painted a picture of a stoic man, seated in silence, with a stern look, hands on the table by his side, or clasped,looking directly into the camera. A monochromatic color palette( black and white). He is an alpha male, well-dressed in a black suit, with a face like that of Rockefeller, and contemplative in nature. We can use a figure that was at the zenith of mortality during their time, and influenced a bunch of other great men in their path. In this case, for instance, Rockefeller had Andrew Carnegie, J.P Morgan, Henry Ford, William Lyon Mackenzie King ( The Canadian Prime Minister), etc. He “leveraged” Henry Flagler’s ingenious business strategies (the co-founder Standard Oil), alongside his brother Williams Rockefeller to do his bidding. 

2. A man seated with his emissaries or even enemies, with a devious smile. He is the magnate, the center of attention. And everyone around the table wishes to dethrone him, but he holds the cards. This is (almost) similar to the previous imagination, but there are other figures around the protagonist, to signify authority and highlight his influence and power. The figures are barely recognisable, to show their insignificance as compared to the man.

3. The minimalist concept

Something like this. We might alter the caption to include 3-5 words that are more on-script and SEO-focused. We can have the small slab in red, to signify (power) how powerful small actions/effect can have on a big matter.The color comparison also creates curiosity and draws attention to the small slab, where our (first) caption(with an arrow) will be, and from there the eye is gradually led towards the biggest slab. In such a case, I lean towards a red, black, white color palette. I am still thinking about the color combination and number of slabs that will fit our story.

4. Drawing from your inspiration, we can have a man like Larry Fink, showing off Blackrock’s holdings, with companies that he has the most influence in, such as NVIDIA($164B), Microsoft ($229B), etc in the limelight.

Design: Exploring Concept 1 and 4.

Nvidia has been in the limelight lately, having it in front is a plus. The frames of the logos are different to add some variety to the composition. Also, the twisted form of the logos adds to the subject’s power.

Elon Musk is included as he is one of the most influential and powerful people. BlackRock owns $33B worth of Tesla stocks. This is a name now familiar with billions of people and once voted Times Magazine Person of the Year. That is why I opted for this option.

We can do one without a caption and another with minimal caption.

On-brand talking-head style composition

Photo manipulation - change shirt color, edit the chart, background development

Develop color palette and choose font style for the chart text.

Adobe Photoshop:

• Photo manipulation

• Color grading

• Upscaling

• Format conversion.

ChatGPT and YouTube

• Research and Inspiration

• Brainstorming

Social Media - X, Reddit, Discord, LinkedIn

• Feedback

• Inspiration

We wanted to explore the core principles of strategic YouTube content creation. And the goal was to give a snippet of the video in a very informative way. The presence of the chart with talking points sets the tone for the video. 

I wanted the thumbnail to feature clear, bold imagery and content that concisely tells the viewer what the video is about. The text on the chart needed to be easily readable, even on small devices. To achieve this, I opted for a combination of large, colored Segoe Print Bold font, with variations to the sizes according to hierarchy.

The image of the subject smiling, by the laptop, added a relatable and working vibe, making the thumbnail more on-topic and also inviting. The background of the image is kept simple and tidy, with blurred plant life to convey a productive and inspiring environment. The green also signifies growth, which is a prominent theme in this video. The hue variations of the text provide a vibrant contrast, drawing the viewer’s eye to the chart, the main element in this thumbnail.

The thumbnail needed to be consistent with existing brand guidelines. This meant using similar fonts, colors, and styling elements to what viewers were accustomed to seeing on the channel.

On a blank canvas of 1280x720 pixels, the standard size for YouTube thumbnails, I imported the subject and sat him at a desk with a laptop. This image is important as it adds a personal touch and makes the thumbnail relatable. I positioned it slightly to the left to leave space for the chart on the right.

I added the chart and edited the text. I chose a bold, colored Segoe Print Bold font to ensure the text was easily readable. The text stands out because of the white background. This provides a vibrant contrast and draws attention to the chart.

I changed the color of the subject's sweatshirt from white to green to ensure it was not competing with the white chart on the right. It is also complementing the green in the space, and the theme of growth. I increased the brightness and contrast to make the photo more appealing and easily noticeable in the YouTube feed. I also adjusted the color balance to ensure the images and background colors complemented each other well.

To complete the composition, I refined the edges of the images to ensure they blended seamlessly with the background. I also included gaussian blur to the background elements to keep the focus on the primary subjects — the chart and the man.

I saved the thumbnail in PNG, the best format for YouTube and optimized it for both desktop and mobile viewing to reach the widest audience possible.

Talking head style composition

Photo Manipulation

Logo Placement

Typography Development

Adobe Photoshop:

• Photo manipulation

• Color grading

• Upscaling

• Format conversion.

ChatGPT and YouTube

• Research and Inspiration

• Brainstorming

Social Media - X, Reddit, Discord, LinkedIn

• Feedback

• Inspiration

Create a talking-head style composition thumbnail with a focus on the guest and how he raised $500M.  Make sure you research the latest trends and let's stick with what worked before. The thumbnail should immediately get the viewer to click- with factual information of course. The messaging and imagery should strictly be on topic, and the composition balanced and based on our demographics.

Should be professional with the message weaving through the whole composition. The final design should look polished, all elements cleanly cut out and blended seamlessly to complement the key message.

Make the caption and subject the focal points of the thumbnail. Ensure the lighting and shadows are adjusted to highlight their features.

File preparation and delivery: Save the final image in PNG format. Organize the source files and bundle them up in the final thumbnail files for delivery within 12 hours.

I began by reviewing the video script to understand the key points and overall message. This gave me a clear idea of the elements that needed to be highlighted in the thumbnail to attract viewers.

I set the dimensions to 1280x720 pixels (YouTube recommended thumbnail size) to ensure the output would be of a high resolution. I also set the dpi to 72 pixels/inch since this was intended for web use.

From the asset files in Google Drive, I uploaded the guest's image, cropped off the background and balanced the light and shadows on the whole photo. Using the data from research, I created the orange rectangle to bear the key word. To stick to their brand, I included the logo and made sure to blend the background so that one first sees the caption and the guest.

To blend all elements together and bring in a sense of balance so the elements don't look like they are suspended in the air, I used a minimal interior with some plant life as a backdrop. I also fine-tuned the lighting and added highlights to increase contrast.

After feedback loops, the client was satisfied and I saved the final image as a PNG, bundled the source files and sent them over to the channel strategist. 

Talking head style composition

Color Palette

Icon manipulation

Photo Upscaling

Logo Design

Typography Development

Adobe Photoshop:

• Photo manipulation

• Color grading

• Upscaling

• Format conversion.

ChatGPT and YouTube

• Research and Inspiration

• Brainstorming

Social Media - X, Reddit, Discord, LinkedIn

• Feedback

• Inspiration

The goal of the video thumbnail is too showcase various free applications that could help people earn a significant income - at least $40/hr. Therefore, the thumbnail needs to clearly convey the idea of making money using these apps in a way that is both inviting and trustworthy.

Feature the logos of the being discussed social media and productivity apps to quickly communicate the video's content to potential viewers. By including the YouTuber's friendly, smiling face, I was sure to create a sense of approachability and positivity, suggesting that using these apps to earn money is both human, enjoyable and human.

The use of bright, contrasting colors and bold text was intended to ensure the thumbnail was eye-catching even when viewed on smaller screens, such as mobile devices. The "$40/hr." text in bright yellow was placed by the subject's side to immediately draw attention to the earning potential, a major selling point of the video.

I began by reviewing the video content to understand the key points and overall message. This gave me a clear idea of the elements that needed to be highlighted in the thumbnail to attract viewers.

I chose a photo of the YouTuber, cut it from the background, and placed him at a desk, a laptop in front. This fit the theme of using apps and working online. This human element aimed to create a personal connection with potential viewers, making the thumbnail more inviting.

Next, I incorporated the logos of the apps in the video, such as LinkedIn, TikTok, Snapchat, and YouTube around the subject. These logos were positioned in a way that made them prominent but not overwhelming, ensuring they were immediately recognizable. This helped to quickly communicate the video’s content about using well-known apps to earn money.

To make the thumbnail eye-catching, I used a vibrant color scheme with a strong contrast. The background was split into two contrasting colors, red and blue, to create visual interest and draw attention. I then brainstormed some typefaces and came up with a bold, easy-to-read font for the caption - "$40/hr" in bright yellow to stand out against the background and immediately highlight the main selling point of the video. 

The focus was on the person, the app logos, and the key text, avoiding any unnecessary elements that could distract from the main message. After final adjustments to the positioning and colors, I reviewed and tested the thumbnail to ensure it effectively communicated the video's content and was visually appealing.

I converted it to PNG, the best format for the YouTube algorithm.