Senior Thumbnail Designer- SPY NINJAS

Senior Thumbnail Designer

We're looking for a Senior Thumbnail Designer to craft bold, high-performing visuals that drive millions of clicks and define the visual identity of the Spy Ninjas universe. You'll transform key story moments into eye-catching, emotion-packed thumbnails that stop the scroll and inspire viewers to watch.

This is a hands-on creative role for a designer who understands both storytelling and YouTube performance. You'll concept, design, and iterate thumbnails that balance artistry with strategy using data, testing, and audience insight to guide your creative instincts.

Key Responsibilities

Concept Development:

Work with producers, editors, and talent to brainstorm thumbnail ideas that elevate each video's narrative and emotional hook.

Thumbnail Creation:

Design and deliver world-class thumbnails that grab attention, tell a clear story, and align with the Spy Ninjas brand.

Visual Consistency:

Uphold and evolve the brand's thumbnail style guide—ensuring every design feels cohesive, distinct, and instantly recognizable.

A/B Testing & Optimization:

Partner with the analytics team to interpret CTR data, test new formats, and refine creative direction based on results.

Collaboration with Production:

Identify key visual moments during shoots and guide photo captures or pose setups to improve thumbnail quality.

Trend Research:

Stay current on YouTube design trends, competitor visual strategies, and evolving platform best practices.

Mentorship:

Provide feedback or creative input to junior designers or freelancers when needed.

Requirements:

• 3–5+ years of experience in graphic design or thumbnail creation for digital or social platforms (YouTube experience strongly preferred).
• Expert-level skills in Photoshop; proficiency in other tools like After Effects, Illustrator, or Lightroom is a plus
• Proven track record of designing thumbnails or social visuals that perform at scale.
• Deep understanding of YouTube CTR, visual storytelling, and audience psychology.
• Strong photo editing, compositing, and retouching abilities.
• Ability to work quickly under tight deadlines while maintaining high creative standards.
• Interest in gaming, kids' entertainment, or story-driven YouTube content a big plus.