# World-Class Design Baseline — Niche DNA + Reference Channels

> Bu skill **amateur-tier baseline-dan deyil, world-class baseline-dan** başlamalıdır. Hər niche-in **locked design DNA**-sı var — top creator-lar tərəfindən sınanmış, validate olunmuş və CTR data ilə təsdiqlənmiş. Skill hər layihədə bu DNA-nı **avtomatik tətbiq edir**, "təhlükəsiz default" əvəzinə **niche-uygun assertive seçim** edir.

## World-class vs Amateur threshold

### Amateur thumbnail signal-ları (avoid)
1. **Stock font default** (Anton / Bebas Neue / Impact hər niche-də) — niche-agnostic seçim = "təhlükəsiz, lakin generic"
2. **Center-aligned text without hierarchy** — bütün sözlər eyni ölçüdə = punchline highlight yox
3. **Saturation 0%-də duran rənglər** — desaturated = "professional-looking" amatör-yanlış stereotype
4. **Symmetric face placement** (mərkəz) — passive composition, gözə dinamik signal vermir
5. **Small face (<30% frame)** — mobil thumbnail-da tanınmır
6. **No background context** — abstract gradient hər thumbnail-da = topic-blind
7. **Generic emoji clip-art icons** — 🔥💯😱 dump = amateur signal #1
8. **No text-image interaction** — text overlay ayrı təbəqədə, subject ilə əlaqəsiz

### World-class thumbnail signal-ları (target)
1. **Niche-locked font** — comedy → comic-book, tech → clean sans, vlog → casual handwritten
2. **Hierarchical text** — 2-3 ölçü tier (punchline 1.5×, support 1×, micro 0.4×)
3. **High saturation strategic** (+25% Photoshop equivalent) — colors POP at thumbnail scale
4. **Asymmetric face placement** — rule of thirds, dinamik tension
5. **Subject 50-60% frame** — MrBeast pattern, mobile-first
6. **Topic-anchored background** — gym thumbnail = gym bg (blurred), money = wallet/cash element
7. **Custom topic icons / graphic elements** (used selectively per icon-and-graphic-elements.md)
8. **Text physically interacts with subject** — hand holds text, eye-line points at text, text wraps around shoulder

---

## Niche-Specific Design DNA (locked patterns)

### 1. Commentary / News / Politics

**Reference channels:** Joe Rogan, Lex Fridman, Sky News, BBC, MKBHD interviews

**Design DNA:**
- Font: **Anton** / **Bebas Neue** / **Impact** — sharp, editorial, "serious news" signal
- Colors: muted but high-contrast (deep red #B00020 + white + dark grey)
- Composition: host serious expression, eye contact, 3/4 angle, 40-50% face
- Background: studio dark gradient OR location-anchored (interview set, news desk)
- Text: 3-5 söz, all-caps, white with red highlight on key word
- Icons: rare — only flag/symbol when geopolitical context
- Tone: gravitas, authority, "you need to hear this"

**Anti-pattern:** comic-book fonts, emoji icons, bright yellow saturation — these de-credibilize the content

---

### 1c. Serial Drama (TV series episode) — multi-character narrative

**Reference channels/series:** Netflix dramas (Money Heist / La Casa de Papel, Squid Game, Hellbound, The Witcher, Dark, You, Élite, Stranger Things, Bridgerton, The Glory); Turkish serials (Çukur, Kara Sevda, Sefirin Kızı, Yargı, Diriliş Ertuğrul, Kuruluş Osman, Yasak Elma); Korean dramas (Itaewon Class, My Name, Squid Game); AZ market (CVN TV "Mən Kiməm", ATV serial dramas, ARB serial dramas, İctimai TV dramas)

**Format signature:** 30-60 dəq epizodlar, multi-character narrative, week-by-week serialized plot, multiple plot threads per episode. Tamam fərqli commentary/comedy formatdan — burda **karakterlər** dominantdır, tək host yox.

**Design DNA:**

- **Font (title-driven):**
  - Bold uppercase display serif/slab for prestige drama: **Bebas Neue** (primary, AZ glyph tam), **Anton** (alternative), sometimes **Cinzel** for cinematic prestige (AZ glyph yoxlanmalı)
  - Custom display fonts for branded series (məs. Money Heist "LCDP", Squid Game custom geometric)
  - **Single-word episode titles** ("XAOS", "VEFA", "QAÇIŞ") get MASSIVE typography treatment — fills 50-70% frame
  - Episode number small ("#8") — series position indicator

- **Colors:**
  - Deep dark palette: BLACK (#0A0A0A), navy (#001D3D), deep blood red (#8B0000)
  - Single dramatic accent per episode (red = violence/conflict, blue = cold/mystery, gold = power/luxury, green = corruption)
  - High contrast: black + electric red, OR black + bright orange/gold
  - Atmospheric grading (smoke tint, rain blue, night purple)
  - Single-color thematic per episode (məs. "XAOS" episode = chaotic red-orange OR fragmented blue)

- **Composition formulas (3 variants for serial drama):**
  - **Variant A — Conflict-face split:** 2 characters facing each other OR back-to-back in tension, "vs" implied. Used for episode focusing on relationship conflict (Netflix "You" style)
  - **Variant B — Hero close-up with title dominant:** 1 protagonist face 40-50% + MASSIVE single-word episode title (60-70% frame). Like Stranger Things episode posters. Maximum cinema/prestige feel
  - **Variant C — Trio ensemble:** 3 characters arranged in triangle/row, ensemble cast format (Money Heist iconic — full cast in red jumpsuits + masks). Used when episode features multiple plot threads

- **Background:**
  - Dark dramatic atmosphere — smoke, fog, rain, night
  - Location-anchored: court, hospital, dark street, abandoned warehouse, broken window, blood-stained surface (episode-spesifik)
  - Symbolic elements: broken glass, blood drop, gun silhouette, key, mask, shattered family photo
  - Cinematic film grain (3-5% noise)

- **Text:**
  - Episode title PRIMARY (largest, 60-70% frame for single-word titles)
  - Series name secondary (smaller, top corner area)
  - Episode number tertiary (small "#8" indicator)
  - Tag-line OPTIONAL (sub-text under title — only if adds curiosity)
  - All-caps universal

- **Icons / symbolic elements:**
  - Drama-specific symbolic objects (broken glass, key, mask, gun silhouette) as visual metaphor
  - NOT cartoon emoji — only real cinematic symbols
  - Position: foreground accent OR background haze element

- **Tone:**
  - Ominous, urgent, mysterious, dramatic gravity
  - "Something dark is happening" vibe

**Multi-character refs workflow (fərqli single-host workflows-dan):**
- 2-3 main character base photos (refs/character-{rauf/nermin/muxtar}-base.png)
- Per-character expression refs (refs/character-{name}-{tense/shocked/angry/sad}.png)
- Skill must ask which 2-3 characters to feature per episode (variant-spesifik)

**Episode title visual treatment (SPECIAL — serial drama signature):**

Single-word episode titles ("XAOS", "VEFA", "QAÇIŞ") get **poster-style massive typography**:
- Title 60-70% of frame (dominant element)
- Character face(s) 30-40% (smaller, supporting)
- Title can be: stacked vertically, centered, rotated dramatically, fractured (especially for chaos themes)
- "XAOS" specifically: could be FRACTURED letters, scattered baseline, red blood-drip aesthetic, glass-shatter effect

**Anti-pattern:**
- Talking-head commentary thumbnail style (single host + speech bubble text) = WRONG for serial drama
- Comedy fonts (Bangers, Permanent Marker) = WRONG for serious drama
- Bright happy palette = WRONG for dark drama
- Generic stock thumbnail (no specific symbolic element) = amateur

---

### 1b. Hybrid (Commentary + Comedy) — satirical news / late-night

**Reference channels:** The Daily Show (Trevor Noah, Jon Stewart), Last Week Tonight (John Oliver), Late Show (Stephen Colbert), Real Time (Bill Maher), Patriot Act (Hasan Minhaj), Some More News, Philip DeFranco

**Format signature:** Host **direct-to-camera** delivers serious news commentary WITH comedic delivery — NOT sketch (no character), NOT pure commentary (witty/sardonic tone). Host reaction face (eye-roll, raised brow, "are you kidding me" look) is the engagement vehicle.

**Design DNA:**
- Font: **Anton** / **Bebas Neue** (editorial primary — keeps news credibility) + **occasional comic accent** on punchline word only (not full Bangers — that'd over-commit to comedy)
- Colors: editorial palette base (#0A0A0A bg + white text + deep red #B00020 highlight) + **strategic yellow accent** (#FFD600) for punchline word (1 söz max)
- Composition: host **exaggerated reaction face** dominant (50-60% frame — comedy-tier scale, NOT 40% pure commentary), eye contact + raised brow / smirk / disbelief
- Background: **topical photo** of the actual news event (burned car, parik, qəza, politician) blurred 20% + dark vignette → grounds the commentary in real story
- Text: **question or absurd-fact format** ("WHY IS THIS?", "ONLY HERE?!", "TRUE STORY"), 3-5 söz, all-caps editorial font
- Icons: rare — sometimes 1 newspaper/headline icon or topical (parik, car, etc.) — uses icon-and-graphic-elements.md decision matrix
- Tone: serious-with-irony — "I can't believe I have to say this", "look at this nonsense"

**Hybrid differs from PURE commentary:**
- Face larger (50-60% vs 40-50%) — engagement scale
- Expression more reactive (raised brow, smirk vs serious stare)
- Occasional yellow accent (vs strict red/white)
- Topical photo background more common (vs studio)

**Hybrid differs from PURE comedy:**
- Editorial font primary (Anton, NOT Bangers full-time)
- Less saturated overall (commentary credibility maintained)
- No comic-book burst shapes / onomatopoeia
- News context grounding (real event photo, not abstract gym/yoga)

**Reference channels for AZ context:** CVN TV "Ay Millət", "Hadisə", "Salam Bakı" (satirical commentary shows mixing news + humor)

**Anti-pattern:** Full Bangers font (over-commits to comedy, loses news credibility) — OR pure editorial without reaction face (loses engagement edge)

---

### 2. Comedy / Sketch / Parody

**Reference channels:** SmoshPit, Try Guys, Dolan Twins (sketch era), Caleb City, JusReign, Filthy Frank (legacy), Eric Andre, Tim Robinson clips

**Design DNA:**
- Font: **Bangers** (Google Fonts, comic-book reaction, Latin Extended-A includes AZ Ə) — PRIMARY
- Alternatives: **Permanent Marker** (handwritten chaos), **Luckiest Guy** (chunky cartoon, but check AZ glyph), **Ultra** (retro sitcom)
- Colors: bright yellow (#FFD600) + electric red (#FF3B30) + black + white — MAX saturation, comedy genre signal
- Composition: exaggerated face expression (50-60% frame), reaction-driven, comic-book burst behind head
- Background: blurred topic scene (gym for fitness sketch, kitchen for cooking sketch) + warm tint
- Text: 3-5 söz, all-caps, hierarchical (question setup + punchline answer)
- Icons: topic-specific welcome (💰 for price sketches, 🍞 for food sketches, ⏰ for time jokes) — but ONE per thumbnail max
- Onomatopoeia: optional ("BOOM!", "WHAT?!", "VAY!") in burst shapes
- Tone: irreverent, exaggerated, "you won't believe what happens"

**Sub-categories:**
- **Sketch comedy** (CVN Salamatı Budur): full Bangers + bright yellow + reaction face dominance
- **Stand-up clip**: simpler — performer mic-in-hand + 2-3 söz quote
- **Parody**: signal-the-source (parody of news = newsroom set parody, parody of music = stage)
- **Satire**: text-heavy with absurd visual contradiction

**Anti-pattern:** Anton / serious editorial fonts (de-energizes comedy), desaturated palette (kills genre signal), tiny face (<40%)

---

### 3. Tech / Reviews / Gadgets

**Reference channels:** MKBHD, Linus Tech Tips, Unbox Therapy, Dave2D, JerryRigEverything, Austin Evans

**Design DNA:**
- Font: **Inter Bold** / **SF Pro Display** / **Roboto Bold** — clean, modern, Apple-aesthetic
- Colors: dark themes (#0A0A0A, #1A1A1A) + product brand colors (Apple silver/space-grey, Samsung blue) + accent neon (#00FF88 for "new", #FF3B30 for "warning")
- Composition: product close-up dominant (50-70%), host face smaller (20-30%) — product is the star
- Background: dark gradient or studio neutral, no clutter
- Text: 2-4 söz, mixed case (NOT all-caps — too aggressive for tech), product name + verdict word
- Icons: minimal — only brand logos (Apple, Samsung), spec icons (camera, battery, chip)
- Tone: authoritative review, "should you buy this?"

**Anti-pattern:** comic-book fonts, comedy colors, exaggerated face expressions (de-credibilizes review)

---

### 4. Vlog / Lifestyle / Daily

**Reference channels:** Casey Neistat, Emma Chamberlain, Marques Brownlee Vlog, Yes Theory, Ben Brown

**Design DNA:**
- Font: **Caveat** (handwritten warmth) / **Inter Medium** (clean casual) / **Poppins SemiBold**
- Colors: warm filters (golden hour palette: #FFA940, #FF6B35, soft beige #F4E1D2) — authentic, lived-in
- Composition: host in environment (location-anchored), 30-40% face, environmental story
- Background: real location (cafe, street, room) NOT blurred — context IS the story
- Text: 3-6 söz, conversational tone, casual capitalization
- Icons: rare — sometimes calendar date or location pin
- Tone: intimate, "come with me", "day in my life"

**Anti-pattern:** dramatic stroke + drop shadow (kills authenticity), bright comedy yellow (wrong genre), studio backdrop

---

### 5. Gaming / Esports

**Reference channels:** Markiplier, Jacksepticeye, PewDiePie, Valkyrae, Pokimane, CDawgVA

**Design DNA:**
- Font: **Bangers** / **Russo One** / **Bungee** / **Black Ops One** — bold, action, video-game UI feel
- Colors: neon palette (#00FF88, #FF00FF, #00BFFF) + black bg + game-screenshot accent
- Composition: action shot from gameplay 60%+ + small streamer face overlay (corner) OR streamer reaction face dominant 50%+ with gameplay bg
- Background: game screenshot (high-action moment) blurred lightly
- Text: 2-4 söz, all-caps, game-relevant ("HE DID WHAT", "RAGE QUIT")
- Icons: game logo, controller icon, kill/death numbers
- Tone: hype, "epic moment", action

---

### 6. Education / Science / How-To

**Reference channels:** Veritasium, 3Blue1Brown, Kurzgesagt, CGP Grey, Vsauce, Tom Scott

**Design DNA:**
- Font: **Inter Bold** / **Source Sans Pro Bold** / **Bebas Neue** — clean, academic-friendly
- Colors: thematic per topic (space = navy + stars; biology = greens; physics = electric blue + chalk white)
- Composition: visual METAPHOR (Veritasium signature) — abstract concept visualized + host pointing at it; OR diagram/illustration + question text
- Background: studio gradient + topic illustration (orbit lines for space, atom for chemistry)
- Text: QUESTION format ("Why does X happen?", "How do Y work?") — sets curiosity gap explicitly
- Icons: scientific symbols (atom, DNA helix, equation snippet)
- Tone: intellectual curiosity, "let me explain"

**Anti-pattern:** comedy yellow + comic-book font (kills credibility), too much text (>6 söz), no visual metaphor

---

### 7. Music / Performance

**Reference channels:** Tiny Desk Concerts, COLORS, NPR, Rolling Stone YouTube

**Design DNA:**
- Font: minimal — artist NAME large + song title small, sometimes no text at all
- Colors: dictated by artist brand / album cover palette
- Composition: artist photo dominant 70%+ (close-up, instrument, performance moment)
- Background: stage / studio / location (minimal text overlay)
- Text: artist + song name, 2-4 söz total
- Icons: none typically (music speaks visually)
- Tone: emotional, atmospheric

---

### 8. Sports / Highlights / Fitness

**Reference channels:** ESPN, Bleacher Report, MrBeast (sports), Athlean-X (fitness)

**Design DNA:**
- Font: **Anton** / **Bebas Neue** / **Bangers** (fitness comedy) — bold, action
- Colors: team colors + black + white; for fitness: warm energy palette
- Composition: athlete mid-action OR celebration freeze-frame, 60% subject
- Background: stadium / gym / outdoor venue, lighting drama
- Text: 3-5 söz, all-caps, victory/result word
- Icons: team logos, sport ball icons, medal icons
- Tone: triumph, action, "you have to see this"

---

### 9. Beauty / Lifestyle / Fashion

**Reference channels:** James Charles, NikkieTutorials, Patrick Starrr, Jenn Im

**Design DNA:**
- Font: **Cormorant** (elegance) / **Poppins** (modern) / **Playfair Display** (luxury)
- Colors: aspirational warm palette (rose gold #B76E79, blush #FFE4E1, deep burgundy #800020) + skin tones
- Composition: product close-up OR host applying product (action moment), 60% subject
- Background: clean white / pastel / mirror reflection
- Text: 3-5 söz, mixed-case casual, sometimes script
- Icons: brand logos, makeup tool icons (occasionally)
- Tone: aspirational, "transformation"

---

### 10. Finance / Business / Crypto

**Reference channels:** Graham Stephan, Andrei Jikh, BiggerPockets, Patrick Bet-David

**Design DNA:**
- Font: **Inter Bold** / **Roboto Bold** / **Anton** — serious authority
- Colors: dark themes + green (gain) / red (loss) + gold accent (#FFD700)
- Composition: host pointing at chart / graph / dollar amount, 40% face + 40% data visual
- Background: stock chart screenshot blurred, OR dark studio gradient
- Text: numbers prominent ("$100K in 30 DAYS"), 3-5 söz
- Icons: dollar sign ($), chart up arrow ⬆️, money bag, percentage signs
- Tone: aspirational expertise, "make money"

---

## Reference channels research depth

Hər yeni layihə açılanda, skill `youtube-analysis.md` procedure-da olduğu kimi:
1. Niche müəyyən olunur
2. Bu fayl-da niche DNA oxunur
3. **Top 2-3 reference channel** verilen niche-də nümunə kimi göstərilir
4. İstifadəçi gərək görsə həmin kanallara baxır, design baseline gözlərindən keçirir
5. Stylistics qurulanda baseline DNA tətbiq olunur

---

## Cross-references

- `typography.md` — niche-font matrix detail
- `color-strategies.md` — niche-color palette detail
- `icon-and-graphic-elements.md` — when/how/which icons per niche
- `ctr-formulas.md` — 5 universal composition formulas (niche-uygun seçilir)
- `professional-techniques.md` — 12 design principles (universal, lakin niche-uygun tətbiq)

---

## Sources

- MrBeast 100-thumbnail analysis (Tak Lo, Medium)
- "How MrBeast, MKBHD and Top Creators Design" (Banana Thumbnail)
- "YouTube Thumbnail Design 2026" (Henry David Photography)
- "2026 Thumbnail Trends" (Banana Thumbnail)
- ThumbMagic 2026 Conversion Guide
- vidIQ niche-specific analytics
- Wisdom AI Creator Science
- YouTube Creator Academy 2026 CTR data per niche
- Veritasium / Kurzgesagt / 3Blue1Brown design analysis (educational science)
- Casey Neistat / Emma Chamberlain vlog design pattern analysis
