| Tutorial Type | Example Channels | Thumbnail Design |
|---|---|---|
| Photo/Video Editing | Peter McKinnon, Mango Street | Before/after edits, software UI, color grading |
| Coding/Programming | Fireship, Traversy Media | Final project preview, tech logos, code snippets |
| Music Production | Andrew Huang, You Suck at Producing | DAW screenshots, instrument shots, waveforms |
| DIY/Crafts | 5-Minute Crafts, Mark Rober | Finished product, tools, step-by-step visuals |
Works with any YouTube tutorial
Tutorial Design Principles
🎯 Outcome Preview
Show the final result. If viewers can see what they will achieve, they are more likely to click and watch through to the end.
📊 Before/After
Split-frame showing the starting point and end result. This instantly communicates the value of watching the tutorial.
🔢 Step Counts
"5 Steps", "In 10 Minutes", "Beginner Guide" — these reduce perceived difficulty and commitment, broadening the audience.
🛠️ Tool Recognition
Software logos (Photoshop, VS Code, etc.) help viewers quickly identify if the tutorial is relevant to their tools.
Tutorial Category Designs
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes tutorial thumbnails effective?
Clear outcome preview, before/after results, step counts, and tool/software logos.
How do channels design differently?
Editing tutorials show before/after. Coding shows final projects. Music shows techniques.
Best practices?
Show final result, use before/after, include tool icons, add step counts, keep text specific.
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