Conceptual Design – Create Images with Meaning

What is the design process from beginning to end? How do you come up with a good concept? How do you create a YouTube thumbnail that has a high click-through rate? Design #WithMe

In this video, Matthew Encina shares his graphic design process for creating interesting thumbnail images using Photoshop, a halftone printing process, a few analog tools, and his camera. Matthew also shares the results of A/B testing thumbnail variants, and which design lead to the best results (CTR).

00:40 – Why YouTube Thumbnails and Titles are Important
00:47 – What are the Characteristics of a Good YouTube Thumbnail
00:58 – Conceptual Thinking: How do you come up with the idea?
01:33 – Thumbnail Design Process from Beginning to End
03:50 – How do you create the Halftone Effect in Photoshop?
06:23 – Tips for Designing a YouTube Thumbnail
07:10 – A/B Testing YouTube Thumbnails and the Results
07:49 – Overview of the Creative Process.

Written, Directed and Produced by Matthew Encina
@Matthew Encina

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Host– Chris Do
Content Director– Matthew Encina
Cinematographers– Ricky Lucas, Jona Garcia
Editors– Ricky Lucas, Jona Garcia
Live Editor– Jona Garcia
Social Team– Elle Money, Alex Burlui
Typefaces: Futura, DIN, Helvetica Neue, Calibre, Champion Gothic
Futur theme song— Adam Sanborne

[CatalinScripcariu]

Great work! Thank you for sharing! Waiting for the course!

[moniniekmet]

Yes! Please, do the conceptual thinking course.

[KELVENFOUAD]

Great work! Keep it up! Really nice work!

[MAureliusHiggs]

I LOVE the subtle sound design of Street Fighter sprinkled throughout. "Perfect!"
Actually, loved this content on many levels. Thanks Matthew (and The Futur Academy).

[jayshreesridhar]

Yes, for the course, loved this video and the process. Much thanks!

[summerrivera]

A conceptualization course would be awesome!

[iakoyno.]

Thank you, Matthew! Honestly, I love all the thumbnails - very creative and conceptual.

[Runitsyourmamarun]

This shows that the process isn’t always easy, you won’t always get it right the first time. Just keep at it and don’t let it suck all the motivation out.

[ahmedshukrah]

Matthew killing it as usual and yeah I'm interested in ur course

[seanfulton]

Make more courses! I would love to watch that

[Kenny-Ross]

Thanks for sharing your process Matt and well presented. You always deliver high quality content that inspires me. Thank you!

[rafiktekari]

Can't do it better, you killing it man.

[gabriellahanna]

The amount of effort to create a single thumbnail is insane! So proud of you! 😨👏👏

[DellaRouvierre]

Definitely bring out a course in conceptual thinking, I've encountered many and had the same problem with myself by not being able to process and create the concept fully. I think it would be great to have an industry creative teaching the audience and others what conceptual thinking is all about!

[alessioferreri]

Matthew! You crushed it, I loved your process, all the effort for the thumbnail!

[_genkisuzuki]

I’m gonna take the conceptual thinking course for sure!!

[verahere]

Amazing job! Matthew you are an inspiration to all of us <3 Can't wait to check out the course!

[zulfi]

I enjoy your courses! keep em coming :D

[jorgemariovargascorzantes]

Great video, congrats and very interested in conceptual thinking.

[andrewli]

Yes! I would interested in learning about conceptual thinking!