Ascende | YouTube Strategy

YouTube Packaging Strategist

Packaging Director at w: @baylenlevine @thesamocean @AISpecies @genkimura_ & 40+ more

[Ascende | YouTube Strategy @theascende]

Some of my favorite Thumbnail Projects I've done in the last couple of weeks

Which one is your favorite?

[Ascende | YouTube Strategy @theascende]

Recent Thumbnails We Designed

Made with @thesamocean and the team

Which one is your favorite?

[Ascende | YouTube Strategy @theascende]

@marquisepeters thanks my man

[Ascende | YouTube Strategy @theascende]

this playbook will end your cringe videos...

[Ascende | YouTube Strategy @theascende]

@hirathumbnails you should give it a watch the doc doesn't give it enough praise

[Ascende | YouTube Strategy @theascende]

Recent Thumbnails we Created

Made with @thesamocean and the team

Which one is your favorite?

[Ascende | YouTube Strategy @theascende]

YouTube Thumbnail Iceberg, Explained

High Contrast

Strong color or lighting differences make key elements instantly noticeable

Simplicity

Fewer elements reduce confusion and make the thumbnail easier to understand

Big Text

Large text remains readable even on small screens

Red Arrows

Arrows direct attention toward the most important element

Rule of Thirds

Placing key elements along these lines or at their intersections creates visual balance

Negative Space

Empty areas help important elements stand out

Color Theory

Color combinations influence emotions and visibility

Title Synergy

The thumbnail and title should create curiosity together

Eye Tracking

Designs should follow natural human viewing patterns

Brand Consistency

Repeated styles build recognition and audience trust

Pattern Interrupts

Unexpected elements stop viewers from scrolling

Cognitive Load

Simpler visuals require less mental effort to understand

Visual Hierarchy

The eye should immediately know what to look at first

Open Loops

Unanswered questions create curiosity and encourage clicks

Sophistication

Match the thumbnail with the audience sophistication level

Instant Credibility

Viewers judge a video's trustworthiness within seconds

[Ascende | YouTube Strategy @theascende]

The Evolution of Viral Business YouTube Packaging

Feel like the 2008 would still work today

Which year was the best?

[Ascende | YouTube Strategy @theascende]

Recent Wins by One Billion Media

Made with @thesamocean and the team

3 were in one day might I add

[Ascende | YouTube Strategy @theascende]

this video will put you in top 1% of creators

[Ascende | YouTube Strategy @theascende]

@UzairTVisuals @thesamocean thank youu

[Ascende | YouTube Strategy @theascende]

Recent Thumbnails we Created

Made with @thesamocean and the team

Which one is your favorite?

[Ascende | YouTube Strategy @theascende]

@BadisDesigns @thesamocean my mann thanks so much

[Ascende | YouTube Strategy @theascende]

@Arpit_Dzns @thesamocean thanks mann

[Ascende | YouTube Strategy @theascende]

@Alixcreatives @thesamocean <333

[Ascende | YouTube Strategy @theascende]

@peek_p33527 @thesamocean thankss

[Ascende | YouTube Strategy @theascende]

@ThumbnailBryan @thesamocean thanks broskii

[Ascende | YouTube Strategy @theascende]

@NyhalRaza @thesamocean appreciate it my man

[Ascende | YouTube Strategy @theascende]

@tayef_designs @thesamocean thank youu

[Ascende | YouTube Strategy @theascende]

@Rafayshkeh @thesamocean thankss

[Ascende | YouTube Strategy @theascende]

@IndoliyaDesigns @thesamocean hehe thanks tho the Mark Tilbury one was made up but they're crazy similar lol

[Ascende | YouTube Strategy @theascende]

@KyaniWajdan @thesamocean thankss