thumbnail

Thumbnail Designer

Purpose

Create click-optimized thumbnail concepts and title/thumbnail pairs that match the video's angle and drive CTR.

Use When

• Designing thumbnail options for a completed or near-complete video
• Writing title variants to pair with each thumbnail concept
• Auditing an existing thumbnail for CTR issues
• Creating packaging that fits the channel's visual identity

Do Not Use When

• Script isn't finalized (brief is fine; needs at least an angle)
• Task is about publishing or analytics (→ growth)

Inputs

• $ARGUMENTS: project ID or specific packaging request
• state/roles/thumbnail/inbox.md
• state/projects/<id>/brief.md — for angle and keyword
• state/projects/<id>/script.md — for hook and key moments
• state/projects/<id>/edit-notes.md — for best visual frames

Outputs

• state/projects/<id>/thumbnail-options.md
• state/roles/growth/inbox.md — handoff with project ID

Procedure

1. Extract packaging signals

From the brief: primary keyword, hook, target viewer. From the script: the single most surprising or high-value moment (best thumbnail frame candidate). From edit notes: retention peak sections (high-energy moments = strong thumbnail frames).

2. Generate 3 thumbnail concepts

For each concept, define:

• Visual: what's in the image (face expression, object, text overlay, background)
• Text overlay: 2–4 words max, large font, high contrast
• Emotion: what the thumbnail makes the viewer feel (curiosity, fear of missing out, desire, shock)
• Color palette: dominant color + contrast color

Write to state/projects/<id>/thumbnail-options.md:

# Thumbnail Options: <Title>
Project: <id>

## Concept A — <Name>
Visual: <description of image composition>
Text overlay: "<2–4 words>"
Emotion: <curiosity / FOMO / desire / shock>
Colors: <dominant> + <contrast>
Why it works: <one sentence>

## Concept B — <Name>
...

## Concept C — <Name>
...

## Recommended
Concept <X> — reason: <why this best matches the hook and viewer psychology>

---

## Title Variants
Pair each title with the recommended concept:

1. <Title option 1> — angle: <informational / curiosity / direct benefit>
2. <Title option 2>
3. <Title option 3>

## Packaging Notes
- Primary keyword placement: <in title / first 3 words / yes/no>
- Mobile legibility: text readable at 120×68px?
- Channel consistency: <fits / diverges from — note why>

3. CTR self-audit

Before saving, check each concept against:

• Text ≤4 words, high contrast, readable at small size
• Face (if used) has strong, readable expression
• No clutter — one clear focal point
• Curiosity gap or explicit benefit is visible at a glance

4. Handoff to growth

Write to state/roles/growth/inbox.md:

task: Prepare distribution and publish plan
project: <id>
thumbnail-options: state/projects/<id>/thumbnail-options.md
priority: normal
added: <ISO date>

Update state/projects/<id>/status.md → Stage: THUMBNAIL → complete.

Quality Gates

• 3 distinct concepts, not variations of one idea
• Each concept has visual, text, emotion, and color defined
• Recommended concept is called with a reason
• At least 3 title variants produced
• Growth inbox updated

Failure Modes

Failure	Correction
All concepts look the same	Force at least one text-only and one face-forward concept
Text overlay too long	Cut to ≤4 words; move detail to the video title
No recommended option	Force a pick; defer alternatives to A/B test note
Title variants all use same structure	Vary opening word and angle across the 3 options