We dive deep into why thumbnail designers might actually run YouTube

Plus we roast some thumbnails and have some great discussions about the craft

But the best part? We had a wild surprise guest at the end

A YouTube creator with millions of views jumped in and walked us through his workflow and creative process

The stuff he shared was honestly huge for anyone who cares about thumbnails

Follow me on X: https://x.com/dvdaltizer

Is hiring a human designer even necessary anymore?

AI can create thumbnails, logos, and entire brand identities in minutes.

But more and more clients are begging for human-only creatives.

In this episode, we break down:

• Why this “human resurgence” is happening

• Where AI fits into real creative work

• How to stand out in the next wave of design

Follow me on X: https://x.com/dvdaltizer

CHAPTERS

(00:00) Hiring a Designer vs Using AI
(01:13) Analog Resurgence & Jack White Example
(02:32) Drawing the Line Between Human Design and AI
(07:04) AI as a Time-Saving Tool & Workflow Booster
(11:03) The Niche “Human-Only Designer” Market
(14:18) Art vs Marketing: Thumbnails Are About Clicks
(19:49) Thumbnail Critique: “James Cook” Example
(31:00) Bonus: Teaching Kurtis Conner Thumbnail Design
(31:55) Closing & Next Week’s Plans

Tired of getting garbage assets from creators? Or unsure how to take better photos for your own thumbnails? This episode breaks down exactly what makes a good asset, how to communicate with clients, and the lighting setups that actually work. Whether you’re a designer or a YouTuber, this is the no-BS guide to getting thumbnails that pop.

TIMESTAMPS

(00:00) - How to Get Good Assets

(01:32) - Where to Find Assets

(02:11) - Why Lighting Matters

(03:04) - Communicating with Creators

(04:51) - Charging for Bad Assets

(05:00) - What Good Lighting Looks Like

(06:28) - Why Skin Needs Light

(07:47) - Ideal Lighting Setup

(08:58) - Using iPhones vs. Cameras

(10:15) - Lens Choice Matters

(11:07) - What MrBeast Does

(12:14) - Still Photos vs. Video Poses

(13:17) - 1080p vs. 4K for Thumbnails

(14:58) - Travel Shoots and Lighting Fixes

(16:38) - CRI Explained Simply

(17:53) - Why High-CRI Lights Matter

(19:17) - Take New Photos Every Time

(21:00) - Matching Outfits with AI

(22:19) - Getting Proper Hand Poses

(24:06) - Hands: DIY, Stock, or AI?

(24:38) - Fixing Low-Quality Screenshots

(26:00) - Mixing Real Faces with AI

(27:24) - Adding Objects with Generative Fill

(28:28) - Using 3D Stock Assets

(29:39) - Know Your Video Before Filming

(31:15) - Unique Product Shots Beat Stock

(32:41) - Outro and Course Info

Check out Thumbnail Academy: https://thumbnailacademy.com/

Follow me on X: https://x.com/dvdaltizer