Thumbnail Concept Artist

About the Company

Airrack is a tight-knit team that pulls off ambitious, innovative YouTube videos that get millions of views. We're creative, gritty, and passionate about making content no one else dares to.

Responsibilities

• Concept and sketch multiple thumbnail ideas per video from a title or brief alone
• Generate high volumes of variations quickly and kill weak ideas fast
• Provide complete production direction to photographers and designers: lighting, camera angles, expressions, wardrobe, props, color, and framing
• Collaborate with the creative director and editors to understand the emotional core of each video before concepting
• Study top-performing thumbnails across YouTube consistently to understand what drives CTR
• Take intense, direct feedback without ego and turn revisions around fast
• Bring new ideas proactively and push the team's creative vision forward

Requirements

• Portfolio showing concepting process including sketches, wireframes, and mood boards
• Deep knowledge of current YouTube performance trends
• Experience concepting thumbnails for high-performing channels (lifestyle, challenge, prank, or viral content)
• Ability to generate a high volume of ideas rapidly
• Thick skin and ability to handle direct feedback
• Obsessive passion for YouTube and creator culture

Preferred Qualifications

• Background in art direction, storyboarding, or visual development
• Familiarity with thumbnail performance across different audience segments
• Ability to analyze competitor thumbnails for strategic insight

Benefits

• Project-based compensation with a base fee per project
• Performance bonuses