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Branded Template

Stage: Package → Thumbnails
Score: 4
Evidence: platform observation

What It Is

A consistent, templatized thumbnail design that uses the same layout, colors, and fonts across every episode. Prioritizes show recognition over individual episode differentiation.

Quality Bar

  • Readable at 120x120px minimum
  • Maximum 5-7 words of text
  • High contrast between text and background
  • Brand colors consistent with show identity
  • Face visible when using headshot or emotion styles

When Not To Use

Avoid when every episode blends together visually and click-through rates drop due to "template fatigue."

Prompt Template

Copy and customize this prompt to generate this pattern:

Create a thumbnail using the Branded Template pattern.

Context:
- Episode topic: [what is this episode about]
- Key visual element: [what should dominate the thumbnail]
- Show brand colors: [hex codes or color names]
- Text overlay (if any): [maximum 5-7 words]

Requirements:
- Readable at 120x120px minimum
- High contrast between text and background
- Brand colors consistent with show identity
- 16:9 for YouTube, 1:1 option for podcast apps

Replace the bracketed placeholders with your specific details. The more context you provide about your audience, guest, and episode content, the better the output.