How to Make Amazing Thumbnails With This FREE AI Tool

Introduction

Every YouTuber knows that a great thumbnail is crucial for attracting viewers. Even the best video content can fall flat if it’s paired with a lackluster thumbnail. If people don’t click on your video, they won't watch it. Consequently, with the emergence of sophisticated AI tools, it's worth exploring if we can generate a highly clickable thumbnail using AI alone.

In this article, we will demonstrate how to create stunning thumbnails using Adobe's Generative Fill feature in Photoshop, which you can access for free through your web browser.

Generating a Thumbnail Idea

For this challenge, we need a video idea. I used ChatGPT to generate a concept and decided to create a video themed around one of the greatest YouTubers of all time, MrBeast—specifically, a "24-Hour Treasure Hunt Challenge in a Massive Maze."

Now, for our AI-generated thumbnail, we’ll follow some guidelines provided by ChatGPT:

A maze-like pattern with a vibrant background.
An image of MrBeast in the foreground with a surprised expression.
Contestants within the maze, possibly holding flashlights or engaging in challenges.
Cash or gold coins scattered throughout to signify treasure.

Using Adobe Firefly

To get started, visit Adobe Firefly, where you’ll find numerous free beta features, including the Generative Fill tool.

Creating the Thumbnail Elements

Set Up the Base Image: First, upload a plain white image to create a base for our thumbnail.
Maze Generation: Use the Generative Fill tool to create the maze. Select the area for the maze and prompt Adobe to generate a "giant maze" for you. Adobe will offer four options; simply choose the one you prefer and select "keep."
Background Selection: Next, select the background area and generate a vibrant blue sky using a similar prompt.
MrBeast's Image: For MrBeast, we can't generate his exact likeness due to copyright issues, so instead, we will create an image of a surprised person looking at the camera. Again, adjust the image as necessary to enhance the facial features.
Contestant Creation: Focus on adding contestants in the maze. Select specific areas and request Adobe to generate individuals engaged in activities like using a flashlight or climbing a ladder. Modify their colors to ensure they pop against the maze backdrop.
Adding Cash: Finally, place cash or gold coins symbolically throughout the thumbnail, including a distinctive dollar sign in the center to give it an eye-catching focus.
Enhancements: For additional appeal, draw shapes like an exclamation mark above a character's head in a bright color and use the Generative Fill tool to follow the shape.

Upon completion, your thumbnail will be fully AI-generated!

While I found the process rewarding, it's ideal to use AI tools to enhance existing thumbnails instead of relying solely on them for complete creation. Nevertheless, this approach demonstrates the potential of AI in content creation.

Please let me know your thoughts on the generated thumbnail, and remember to like and subscribe for more tutorials in the future!

Keyword

YouTube thumbnail
AI tools
Adobe Firefly
Generative Fill
MrBeast
contest
treasure hunt

FAQ

Q: What is the importance of a thumbnail on YouTube?
A: A well-designed thumbnail is crucial for attracting clicks and viewers, as it is the first thing people notice about your video.

Q: Can I use Adobe Firefly for free?
A: Yes, Adobe Firefly offers several free features, including the Generative Fill tool, which you can access through your web browser.

Q: Do I need advanced skills to create thumbnails using AI?
A: No, the process is user-friendly, and you can achieve impressive results even with minimal design skills.

Q: Will I be able to generate specific people's images with Adobe's Generative Fill?
A: No, the tool cannot create exact likenesses of real individuals due to copyright issues, but it can generate generic representations or expressions.

Q: Is it better to create thumbnails from scratch with AI or enhance existing ones?
A: While AI can create thumbnails from scratch, it is often more effective to enhance existing thumbnails using AI tools for the best results.