This thumbnail was completely made from scratch for a video covering the rise of the NPC trend on TikTok. The goal was to create an eye-catching and energetic visual that clearly conveys the topic and grabs attention instantly.

I used Adobe Photoshop for the entire design, utilizing tools like the Pen Tool (for clean subject cutouts), Layer Masking, Drop Shadows, Blending Modes, Gradient Overlay, and Text Effects to create depth and contrast. The background elements, such as floating dollar bills, TikTok logos, and lighting were composited manually to give it a rich and dynamic feel.

The bold headline text and character placement are designed to follow strong visual hierarchy, guiding the viewer's eye and optimizing for clicks.