YOUTUBE THUMBNAIL DESIGNER

Studio City; New York (NY); Remote; USD 55,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Studio City is seeking a creative YouTube Thumbnail Designer to partner with our Strategy team across a diverse client portfolio. You will transform video ideas into clickable thumbnails, aiming to maximize CTR and engagement across channels.

Requires YouTube thumbnail experience, advanced Photoshop skills, and a portfolio with measurable results. This remote role must be located within the New York area or surrounding region.

Qualifications

• Experience designing thumbnails specifically for YouTube.
• Advanced proficiency in Photoshop; familiarity with Canva, Illustrator, Figma, or After Effects.
• Ability to create 2–3 thumbnail concepts per video for testing.
• Portfolio with measurable CTR or view lift when available.
• Remote work capability within New York and surrounding areas.

Responsibilities

• Design high-resolution thumbnails (1920x1080) for desktop and mobile.
• Develop thumbnail concepts with editors to match titles and strategy.
• Produce 2–3 alternative concepts per video for testing.
• Focus on CTR, impressions, and watch time to guide design decisions.
• Track trends, competitors, color psychology, and algorithm updates.
• Maintain brand consistency while pushing creative boundaries.

Skills

YouTube thumbnail design

Trend research

Performance-focused design

Portfolio development

Tools

Adobe Photoshop

Canva

Adobe Illustrator

Figma

After Effects

Job description

Studio City is seeking a creative, performance-minded YouTube Thumbnail Designer to work closely with our YouTube Strategy team across a diverse portfolio of client channels.

This role combines strong graphic design skills with a deep understanding of YouTube audiences, visual storytelling, and what drives viewers to click. The ideal candidate can turn a video's core idea into an eye-catching thumbnail to attract viewers, drive engagement, and maximize performance.

Key Responsibilities

• Design & Iteration: Create high-resolution thumbnails (standard 1920x1080 specs) designed for both desktop and mobile screens.
• Concept Development: Partner with video editors, producers, and creators to map out thumbnail concepts that complement video titles, highlight compelling moments, and align with each channel's audience and content strategy.
• A/B Testing & Optimization: Produce 2 to 3 alternative thumbnail concepts per video to run performance testing.
• Performance Focused Design: Understand key YouTube metrics, including click-through rate (CTR), impressions, and watch time, and apply insights from the YouTube Strategy team to creative decisions.
• Trend & Competitor Research: Track niche competitor designs, viral aesthetic shifts, color psychology, and platform algorithm updates.
• Brand Consistency: Maintain recognizable visual identities, fonts, and color palettes for a channel or organization while pushing creative boundaries.

Required Skills & Qualifications

• Software Proficiency: Advanced command of Adobe Photoshop, alongside familiarity with tools like Canva, Adobe Illustrator, Figma, or After Effects.
• YouTube-Specific Experience: Demonstrated experience designing thumbnails specifically for YouTube, with a strong understanding of the platform's visual conventions and audience behavior.
• AI & Workflow Integration: Experience using modern AI image-generation or enhancement tools alongside traditional compositing.
• Adaptability: Comfortable balancing creative quality with quick turnarounds, shifting priorities, feedback, and the distinct needs of multiple YouTube channels.
• Portfolio: A documented portfolio or case studies demonstrating past thumbnail work, with measurable CTR or view lifts if available.

*** This position is remote but must be within the New York or surrounding area.