Vladimir, who goes by Montana, is a 19-year-old thumbnail designer from Russia. Vladimir started making thumbnails at 14, but had to step away from it for a while due to certain circumstances.
Three months ago, Vladimir came back to the field with renewed energy and has been pursuing it seriously ever since. Vladimir is open to collaboration.
Twitter (X) → x.com/montana_nv
Instagram → instagram.com/montana_thumbnaildesigner
YouTube → youtube.com/@montananv
Featured design
A Terrifying Signal From Space
The idea
I needed some practice. I looked for thumbnails that I found interesting and that I could try to replicate. I ended up choosing one from a video by the YouTuber CHERNETS.
The original thumbnail by CHERNETS.
My plan was to take the core concept and the layout of the elements from that thumbnail, then adapt them using my own assets to create a slightly different version.
I needed a video creator to place in the center, someone whose content would align with the theme of the thumbnail. I decided to go with the YouTuber Joe Scott, as I've frequently come across his videos on space-related topics.
The person in the thumbnail
Author's face + pose + prompt.
I took a screenshot from his latest video, set up the pose I needed in a 3D editor, and then fed it into ChatGPT.
Prompt: "Create an image of a man in this pose, wearing studio headphones. Do not change the background."
The background
The antennas, the prompt and the generated background.
In Photoshop, I placed multiple copies of the same PNG image of an antenna. Then, I wrote a prompt designed to generate the terrain for the area where these antennas are positioned.
Placing everything on the canvas
Author and background combined.
Next, I combined the background with the author in Photoshop. Using the Camera Raw plugin, I made the background brighter and more vibrant so that it would be clearly visible.
And yes, I changed the author's facial expression to a more serious one.
Adding objects
Objects and their labels.
I looked for objects similar to the originals and added them to my project. You can see their descriptions in the image.
Lighting and final processing
The final result.
I sent the thumbnail to ChatGPT with the prompt "add subtle lighting." Then, I made some adjustments using the Camera Raw plugin in Photoshop and ended up with this result.
You can watch the speed art of this work, and similar, equally challenging ones, on my channel.
Unlayered
Tools
Editing: Photoshop / Magic Poser Web
AI: ChatGPT
What makes a thumbnail stand out, in your opinion?
It's about skillfully placing "triggers" in the thumbnail that tap into the viewer's "pain points." This could be a question, an element of intrigue, or a fear. The key is to convey that emotion effectively. And yes, it can be as simple as text paired with an image. No fancy design required, just pure psychology.
The biggest mistake you see designers make with thumbnails?
I often see, even among experienced designers on X, that they don't include the video title when showcasing their thumbnail work. Or, when offering advice on how to boost click-through rates, they focus exclusively on the thumbnail. The title is essentially another thumbnail; it plays just as big a role in whether or not someone clicks.
One tip for someone just starting out?
Find a thumbnail you consider weak, redesign it, and email it to the creator with a proposal to collaborate. Also, post your redesign across all your social media channels. Then, repeat the process. While one potential client might respond to your email, another might discover you through your social media posts.
Best thumbnail you've ever made?
I have a tradition of leveling up my quality by creating thumbnails in the style of Dima Maslennikov (19.9M subscribers). I believe that with this piece, I've reached the level of his thumbnails. From the lighting and retouching to the expressions, I think I've managed to capture that exact atmosphere.
Most Evil Houses in History (True Stories)
Best thumbnail you've ever seen?
Honestly, I've never really thought about the best thumbnail; it never mattered much to me. But if I had to choose, I'd go with this one, the one that, in my opinion, helped a creator with a hundred subscribers get a million views. It's one of the best title and thumbnail combinations I've seen.
Sorry, Mr. White Has ADHD
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