The Art of Standing Out: How Typical Gamer Perfected the YouTube Thumbnail Game

Did you know that 90% of the best-performing YouTube videos have custom thumbnails? It’s true. They grab your attention, spark curiosity, and sometimes even demand a click. If there’s one YouTube channel that’s absolutely mastered this art, it’s Typical Gamer.

Whether you’re a gamer or a casual YouTube browser, chances are, you've been drawn to at least one of his thumbnails.

Why? Because TG understands that a killer thumbnail isn’t just a pretty picture; it’s a gateway to his YouTube videos. His secret? A well-honed, ever-evolving YouTube thumbnail strategy that massively contributed to his success.

Hooked yet? You should be. Whether you’re a YouTuber, a gamer, or just curious, we’re about to break down how Typical Gamer made his YouTube thumbnails not only eye-catching but also downright irresistible. Ready? Let’s dive in.

Who is Typical Gamer?

Source: Typical Gamer. It is his YouTube dashboard.

Before we dive into his YouTube thumbnail magic, let’s get a quick rundown of Typical Gamer’s success:

Subscribers: 15.2M
Views: 4.03B
Videos: 3.5K+
Channel Start Date: August 24, 2008

Famed for his action-packed gameplay, mainly Fortnite and GTA V, Typical Gamer delivers high-energy content, live streams, and funny moments. But here’s the kicker: it’s not just his gaming skills that attract viewers; his eye-catching YouTube thumbnails keep them coming back for more.

Typical Gamer’s Thumbnail Evolution: From Okay to OMG

If you’ve followed Typical Gamer from his early days, you’ll know his YouTube thumbnail templates didn’t always have the flair they do now. He experimented, learned, and polished his approach over time. Let’s break down the key phases:

Type 1: The Early Days (2008 to 2015)

Source: Typical Gamer. In the image we can just see a snippet taken from the game.

Typical Gamer started with basic YouTube thumbnail images that looked like random screenshots from his gameplay. While they served their purpose, they didn’t exactly stand out in search results.

Why it didn’t work:

Too busy with no clear focal point.
Low-quality images that didn’t pop.
Lacked visual appeal and brand identity.

Type 2: Bold Colors and Cleaner Layouts (2016 to 2018)

This was when Typical Gamer started stepping up his YouTube thumbnail design. He embraced bright, bold colors and cleaner layouts, using eye-catching thumbnails highlighting intense gameplay moments.

Why it started working:

Bold, contrasting colors made his thumbnails instantly recognizable.
Cleaner designs with fewer elements made it easier for viewers to grasp the content at a glance.
His thumbnails started to signal high-quality content.

Type 3: Close-Ups & Emotional Expressions (2019 to 2022)

Source: Typical Gamer. In the image we can see that Typical Gamer is on the right side, and he has ranked #1 in the leaderboard.

By this time, TG had found a winning formula. He focused on close-up shots of in-game characters or himself, often showing exaggerated facial expressions to convey emotions like fear, excitement, or surprise.

Why this worked even better:

Close-ups made the thumbnails feel personal and relatable.
Expressions connected with the audience emotionally, encouraging more clicks.
The focus on action-packed moments teased viewers, inviting them to check out the most thrilling parts of the video.

Type 4: Consistent Branding and Polished Designs (2023 and Beyond)

In the current era, Typical Gamer has nailed down his signature thumbnail templates. His designs often feature him or his in-game avatar, bright backgrounds, and a clear focal point. His thumbnails are easily recognizable with consistent fonts and color contrast, helping build trust with his audience.

Why this is his best strategy yet:

Consistent branding across his YouTube channel fosters brand recognition.
Visually clean, high-resolution images capture attention within seconds.
The use of bold colors and contrasting elements makes his thumbnails pop in a sea of gaming content.

The Thumbnail Style That Won Big for Typical Gamer

Source: Typical Gamer. In the image we can see Typical Gamer on the right side, and Iron Man on the left side.

If we had to pick one defining style that earned Typical Gamer the most clicks, it’s his combination of bright colors + character close-ups + action-packed moments.

Why this combo wins:

Bold colors instantly stop the scroll.
Close-up shots make viewers feel like they’re right there, in the middle of the action.
Action moments create a sense of urgency, encouraging viewers to watch the full video.
Consistent fonts and branding make his custom thumbnails instantly recognizable.

This polished approach has skyrocketed his engagement, making his YouTube videos stand out in search results and on social media platforms.

How Typical Gamer is stacking up against thumbnail guidelines

Let's see how Typical Gamer is comparing against YouTube thumbnail guidelines:

YOUTUBE’s Suggestions for great Custom Thumbnails


YOUTUBE’s Suggestions for great Custom Thumbnails
Youtube’s Criteria	Typical Gamer (Reasons for the score)	Score
Image Balance	Overall the thumbnails are well balanced and follow the rule of thirds, but his older videos had no image balance and didn’t follow the rule of thirds.	4/5
Contrast	Strong color contrast is used effectively to add depth. Overall the thumbnail looks very attractive and appealing.	4.5/5
Emotions	Thumbnails often feature extreme emotions. They persuade the viewer to watch his content.	3.5/5
Lesser Words	Text has been used, which is usually very minimal and is eye-catching.	4/5
Blank Spaces	There are no blank spaces, and the entire thumbnail is utilised properly.	4/5
Total Score	4/5

Leveling Up Your YouTube Thumbnails

With the help of of Rizzle AI, you can create stunning thumbnails within just a few minutes.

Typical Gamer’s success shows just how crucial a good thumbnail design is for any YouTube channel. But if you’re just starting out, how can you create a good YouTube thumbnail that is as eye-catching without spending hours?

Here comes Rizzle AI, your ultimate cheat code for eye-catching best YouTube thumbnail practices.

Why Rizzle AI is perfect for YouTubers:

User-friendly: No graphic design skills? No problem. Rizzle AI is perfect for desktop or mobile devices and offers templates that make creating good YouTube thumbnails in minutes easy.
Customization options: You can explore a variety of thumbnail templates, add bold fonts and high-quality images, or upload your own custom thumbnail image to match your style.
Consistency: Just like TG’s branded look, Rizzle AI helps you create a consistent thumbnail design theme across your content, building brand identity and attracting viewers.
Speed: Don’t spend hours tweaking images. With Rizzle AI, you can create YouTube thumbnails that rival TG’s level of professionalism in no time.

Key Lessons from Typical Gamer’s Thumbnail Strategy

Here’s a quick rundown of what you can take away from TG’s approach to YouTube thumbnail best practices:

Consistency matters: Stick to a theme that makes your thumbnail images instantly recognizable.
Close-ups create connection: Showing yourself or your game character builds an emotional bond with viewers.
Simplify your design: Keep the focus on one main element, whether it’s a facial expression or an action shot.
Bold colors stop the scroll: Use contrasting colors to grab attention, especially on mobile devices.

Conclusion: Learn from TG and Level Up with Rizzle AI

Rizzle AI is the best AI generator tool out there.

Typical Gamer didn’t stumble upon success. He experimented, evolved, and refined his YouTube thumbnail strategy over the years. And guess what? You can do the same.

You don’t have to be a pro designer to create custom YouTube thumbnails that stand out. With tools like Rizzle AI, you can make eye-catching YouTube video thumbnails that build brand recognition and get the clicks you need to grow your channel.

Your video thumbnail is your first impression; make it count!

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Surya Tejas

October 25, 2024