At a Glance
- Tasks: Design eye-catching YouTube thumbnails that drive clicks and audience growth.
- Company: Join High Performance, a dynamic brand focused on personal growth and positive change.
- Benefits: Enjoy a hybrid work model, competitive salary, and opportunities for creative expression.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with a commitment to diversity and inclusion.
- Why this job: Be part of an inspiring team that creates impactful content and reaches a global audience.
- Qualifications: Strong graphic design skills with a proven track record in YouTube thumbnail creation.
The predicted salary is between 31500 - 38500 £ per year.
- Role: You Tube Thumbnail & Graphic Designer
- Based: London (Hybrid, min. 2 days in London Office)
- Reports to: You Tube Lead
- About High Performance
High Performance was set up in 2021 after the huge success of the High Performance Podcast (hosted by Jake Humphrey and Damian Hughes).
The brand creates inspirational and trusted content that drives personal growth and positive change.
Through multiple podcasts, live events, publications, and corporate work, our vision is to reach as many people as possible around the world and enable them to achieve healthier and happier lives.
Our Values
About the Position
We are looking for a creative, data-informed and You Tube-obsessed Thumbnail & Graphic Designer to join High Performance as we approach our next stage of accelerated growth.
In this role, you will own the design of thumbnails across our portfolio of You Tube channels, working closely with the You Tube Lead to turn every upload into a must-click moment.
You will take charge of concepting, designing and testing thumbnails that stop the scroll, lift click-through rate (CTR) and drive audience growth.
Alongside this, you'll be a versatile designer who can support creative work across other areas of the business.
The ideal candidate will be a highly capable graphic designer with a proven track record of creating high-CTR thumbnails on You Tube.
You'll bring an expert toolkit (Photoshop / Illustrator / Canva / Figma), a sharp eye for faces, emotion, composition and colour, and a strong understanding of how thumbnails and titles work together to win the click.
This position requires a proactive, self-sufficient creative and good communicator, who is comfortable working at pace across a high volume of uploads.
You will collaborate with producers and editors, ideate and run thumbnail A/B tests, and use performance data to provide actionable insights to the You Tube Lead and help shape our packaging strategy.
Responsibilities
- Thumbnail design & delivery: Design high-impact, on-brand thumbnails for long-form episodes, clips and Shorts across the High Performance portfolio, delivered to agreed upload schedules.
- Creative concepts & ideation: Lead the creative thinking on every upload, pitching multiple You Tube-first concepts per episode to the You Tube Lead and producers, built around the strongest hook, emotion and story in each conversation.
- Win the click: Apply proven CTR principles (expressive faces, bold composition, contrast, minimal readable text, curiosity) so every thumbnail reads instantly on mobile and stands out on the homepage, in search and in Suggested.
- Brand consistency & templates: Maintain a recognisable visual identity for each show, with flexible thumbnail systems and a well-organised library of assets, cut-outs and templates.
- Outlier & trend research: Analyse outlier videos (those far outperforming their channel's average) in and outside our niche, alongside wider design and platform trends, and turn findings into clear recommendations.
- A/B testing & optimisation: Work with the You Tube team to assess A/B test results and iterate on new designs using data-backed analysis.
Refresh new and archive videos to maximise their potential.
- Wider design support: Support design across the business, including podcast artwork for Apple and Spotify, social assets, show promotions, live events and other activities, keeping every touchpoint on-brand.
Skills & Experience
- 1. A strong portfolio of You Tube thumbnails, ideally with evidence of measurable impact on CTR, views or channel growth.
- 2. Expert-level Photoshop skills (cut-outs, retouching, colour grading, compositing), with Illustrator, Figma, Lightroom or Canva a bonus.
- 3. A deep understanding of You Tube packaging and CTR, and how thumbnails and titles work together to drive clicks while staying authentic and on-brand.
- 4. Strong graphic design fundamentals: typography, colour theory, composition, visual hierarchy and legibility at small sizes and on mobile.
- 5.
Confident using AI to speed up and scale production, from generative AI image tools (e. g.
Photoshop Generative Fill, Midjourney) to automated workflows with tools such as Claude.
- 6. A test and measure mindset: comfortable using You Tube Studio Analytics to assess performance and make clear, data-backed recommendations.
- 7. Able to work under pressure in a fast-paced environment, adapting to shifting priorities and deadlines.
- 8. Strong organisational and communication skills, a high degree of autonomy and an impeccable attention to detail.
High Performance is committed to creating an inclusive and diverse workplace.
We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and are committed to ensuring our recruitment process is fair and accessible.
If you require any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know.
- Applicants must have the right to work in the UK
YouTube Thumbnail & Graphic Designer in London employer: High Performance
High Performance is an exceptional employer that fosters a vibrant and innovative work culture in the heart of London. With a strong emphasis on personal growth, creativity, and teamwork, employees are encouraged to experiment and take 100% responsibility for their contributions. The hybrid working model, combined with opportunities for professional development and engagement with a passionate community, makes it a rewarding place for those looking to make a meaningful impact through inspiring content.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land YouTube Thumbnail & Graphic Designer in London
✨Show Off Your Skills with a Killer Portfolio
As a graphic designer, your portfolio is your secret weapon! Make sure it's not just a collection of your work but showcases your creative process too. Use platforms like Behance or Dribbble to share your designs and gain visibility within the design community.
✨Get Involved in Design Meetups
Networking is key in the design world! Check out local design meetups or workshops where you can connect with other creatives and potential employers. This is a goldmine for finding unadvertised job openings at companies like High Performance.
✨Tailor Your Applications
When you’re applying for a full-time role at a creative company like High Performance, don’t go for a one-size-fits-all approach. Ensure your application highlights specific projects or styles that align with their brand image, showing that you’re a perfect fit for their team.
✨Leverage Social Media
Don't underestimate the power of social media in landing your dream design job! Share your work on platforms like Instagram or Pinterest, and engage with accounts from your desired companies—this could put you on their radar before they start hiring.
We think you need these skills to ace YouTube Thumbnail & Graphic Designer in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Portfolio:Your portfolio is your visual CV! Make sure to include a link to your best design projects that showcase your creativity and versatility. Tailor it to include works that relate to the kind of design work High Performance does, so they can see you in action.
Tailor Your CV for Design:When crafting your CV, highlight your design skills and software proficiencies, like Adobe Creative Suite or Sketch. Mention any relevant experience you have with branding, UI/UX design, or typography, as we want to see how you fit in with the creative team at High Performance.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:In your cover letter, share your design philosophy and what excites you about working at High Performance. Let us know how you approach your design projects and any specific campaigns or themes that resonate with you, showing we’re not just a good fit but a perfect match!
Highlight Collaboration Skills:As a graphic designer, you often work with various teams and stakeholders. In your application, mention experiences where you've collaborated with others to bring a project to life, whether it's with clients, writers, or developers. This shows you can thrive in a team environment, which is key at High Performance.
How to prepare for a job interview at High Performance
✨Get Your Portfolio Ready
Your portfolio is your secret weapon in graphic design interviews! Make sure it's showing off your best work, with a variety of styles and projects that highlight different skills — from branding to digital illustration. Be prepared to talk through each piece, focusing on your creative process and the tools you used.
✨Know Your Design Tools Inside Out
Familiarity with software like Adobe Creative Suite is a must! Brush up on your skills with Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign, as interviewers might dive into specific technical questions or ask for your workflow. If you’ve worked with any innovative tools or techniques, don't hesitate to showcase that expertise!
✨Prepare for Design Challenges
Some companies may throw a design challenge your way during the interview! This might involve sketching out ideas or solving a branding issue on the spot. Practising these quick thinking exercises beforehand can help us show off our creativity and adaptability.
✨Passion Counts
For a full-time position, showing genuine enthusiasm for design is key! Talk about your inspirations, the projects you're excited about, and why you're drawn to High Performance. They want to see not just a skilled designer, but someone who'll bring passion and fresh ideas to the team.
