Creating Thumbnail Layouts with ChatGPT - AI Design Layout Tips

Introduction

The same text feels completely different depending on the font. You can find hundreds of fonts by searching "free font recommendations," but "which font suits my thumbnail?" is still a difficult question. Now let's find the perfect font combination with ChatGPT and Canva AI!

Why Are Fonts Important?

50% of First Impression

According to research, people judge content quality just by looking at the "text font" in thumbnails.

Perception by Font:

• Sophisticated font: Professional, trustworthy
• Handwriting font: Friendly, personal
• Bold font: Impact, importance
• Light font: Casual, comfortable

Readability = Click-Through Rate

It must be readable within 0.5 seconds on mobile screens. Wrong fonts can't deliver even the best messages.

Readability Test:

• Good font: Readable from 3 meters away
• Bad font: Hard to recognize even at 1 meter

Getting Font Recommendations from ChatGPT

Finding Fonts by Topic

Real Example 1:

My Input:

Recommend fonts for YouTube thumbnails.

Channel topic: Personal finance, stock investment information
Atmosphere: Trustworthy and professional but not too stiff
Text example: "Stock Guide for Beginner Investors"

As main font and sub font combinations,
recommend 3 combinations available free on Google Fonts.

ChatGPT's Response:

Combination 1: Balanced Professionalism

Main Font: Noto Sans KR Bold
- Features: Clean and modern, strong presence
- Usage: "For Beginner Investors"
- Size: 120pt
- Color: Dark navy (#1E3A8A)

Sub Font: Noto Sans KR Medium
- Features: Same family for unity
- Usage: "Stock Guide"
- Size: 80pt
- Color: Medium gray (#6B7280)

Background Recommendation: White or light beige

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Combination 2: Impact Emphasis

Main Font: Black Han Sans
- Features: Thick and powerful, very eye-catching
- Usage: "Stock Guide"
- Size: 140pt
- Color: Black (#000000)

Sub Font: Noto Sans KR Regular
- Features: Light to contrast with main
- Usage: "For Beginner Investors"
- Size: 50pt
- Color: Dark gray (#374151)

Background Recommendation: Gold-white gradient

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Combination 3: Sophisticated Modern

Main Font: Pretendard Bold
- Features: Latest trend, sophisticated
- Usage: "Stock Guide for Beginner Investors"
- Size: 100pt
- Color: Dark blue (#1F2937)

Sub Font: Pretendard Medium
- Features: Unified hierarchy
- Usage: Additional information
- Size: 60pt
- Color: Mint green (#10B981)

Background Recommendation: Dark gray-black gradient

Matching Fonts by Emotion

My Input:

Recommend matching Korean fonts for each emotion
that thumbnail text tries to convey.

Emotions:
1. Urgency, shock
2. Warmth, comfort
3. Fun, cheerfulness
4. Seriousness, trust
5. Luxury, sophistication

ChatGPT's Response:

1. Urgency, Shock
   Font: Black Han Sans
   Features: Thick and strong strokes
   Effect: Instantly eye-catching, conveys urgency
   Example: "Right Now!", "Shocking Fact"

2. Warmth, Comfort
   Font: Kyobo Handwriting or Gaegu
   Features: Soft handwritten feeling
   Effect: Friendly and human feeling
   Example: "It's Okay", "Together"

3. Fun, Cheerfulness
   Font: Binggrae or Jua
   Features: Round curves
   Effect: Cute, light, and joyful
   Example: "Funny Moments Collection", "Fun Story"

4. Seriousness, Trust
   Font: Noto Serif KR
   Features: Traditional serif feel
   Effect: Authority, trust, professionalism
   Example: "Expert Advice", "Scientific Evidence"

5. Luxury, Sophistication
   Font: Cormorant Garamond
   Features: Thin and elegant lines
   Effect: Luxury, premium feeling
   Example: "Luxury Review", "Special Experience"

Canva AI Font Recommendation Feature

Getting Font Ideas with Magic Write

You can utilize Canva's internal AI assistant.

How to Use:

1. Add Text in Canva
2. Select Text then Click "Magic Write"
3. Enter Prompt:

"Recommend font combination suitable for personal finance YouTube thumbnail.
Main text impactful, sub text clean."

4. Receive AI Recommendations
5. Apply Directly from Canva Font Library

Canva's Auto Font Pairing Suggestion

Usage Tips:

1. Apply desired font to main text
2. Select sub text
3. Check "Recommended Fonts" at top of font menu
4. Canva AI automatically suggests fonts matching main font

Effects:

• Harmonious combination without knowing design theory
• Save time (don't have to look through hundreds of fonts)
• Professional-level typography

Golden Rules for Font Combinations

1. Contrast Principle

Weight Contrast:

Main: Bold or Black
Sub: Regular or Medium

Example:
Main: "Lost 10kg" (Black Han Sans, 150pt)
Sub: "30 Day Challenge" (Noto Sans KR Regular, 60pt)

Style Contrast:

Main: Serif (traditional, luxury)
Sub: Sans-serif (modern, clean)

Example:
Main: "Classical Music" (Noto Serif KR Bold)
Sub: "Beginner Guide" (Noto Sans KR Medium)

2. Unity Principle

Using Same Font Family:

Main: Pretendard Bold
Sub: Pretendard Medium
Support: Pretendard Regular

Advantages:
- Consistent brand feeling
- Safe and clean
- Low error probability

3. Maximum 2-3 Types Principle

Recommended:
- 1 Main font
- 1 Sub font
- (Optional) 1 Emphasis font

Absolutely Forbidden:
- 4 or more different fonts
→ Looks chaotic and unprofessional

Validating Font Combinations with ChatGPT

Getting Feedback on Created Combinations

My Input:

Evaluate this thumbnail font combination.

Main Text: "Save $1,000/Month"
Font: Black Han Sans, 140pt, red

Sub Text: "5 Easy Ways"
Font: Comic Sans MS, 60pt, blue

Background: Yellow

Tell me if this combination is effective and if there are problems.

ChatGPT's Response:

Analysis Result:

❌ Serious Problems:

1. Using Comic Sans MS
   - Problem: Looks unprofessional, childish
   - Improvement: Use Noto Sans KR or Pretendard
   - Reason: Doesn't match personal finance topic

2. Color Combination
   - Problem: Red+blue+yellow = too many primary colors
   - Improvement: Only red for main, black or white for sub
   - Reason: Reduces readability and dizzying

3. Main Font Size
   - Problem: 140pt appropriate but red conflicts with background
   - Improvement: Keep red but change background to white or black

✅ Improvements:

Combination 1: Trust Emphasis
- Main: "Save $1,000/Month"
  Black Han Sans, 140pt, dark navy
- Sub: "5 Easy Ways"
  Noto Sans KR Medium, 65pt, green
- Background: White → light beige gradient

Combination 2: Maintain Impact
- Main: "Save $1,000/Month"
  Black Han Sans, 150pt, red
- Sub: "5 Easy Ways"
  Noto Sans KR Bold, 70pt, white
- Background: Black → dark gray gradient
- Additional: White outline on text

Recommended Font Combinations by Category

1. Education/Information Content

Combination: Noto Sans KR Bold + Noto Sans KR Regular

Main Text:
- Font: Noto Sans KR Bold
- Size: 110pt
- Color: #1F2937 (dark gray)

Sub Text:
- Font: Noto Sans KR Regular
- Size: 55pt
- Color: #6B7280 (medium gray)

Background: Bright color (white, beige, light blue)

Example Topics:
"Python Course for Beginners"
"Understanding History Easily"

2. Entertainment/Humor

Combination: Jua + Nanum Gothic

Main Text:
- Font: Jua (round and cute)
- Size: 130pt
- Color: Bright colors (pink, yellow, teal)

Sub Text:
- Font: Nanum Gothic Bold
- Size: 60pt
- Color: Color contrasting with main

Background: Vibrant gradient

Example Topics:
"Funny Animal Video Collection"
"Unexpected Moments"

3. Lifestyle/Vlog

Combination: Handwriting font + Sans-serif

Main Text:
- Font: Nanum Handwriting or Gaegu
- Size: 100pt
- Color: Soft tone (light pink, beige)

Sub Text:
- Font: Noto Sans KR Light
- Size: 50pt
- Color: Darker tone than main

Background: Pastel tone or real photo

Example Topics:
"Daily Vlog"
"Weekend Routine Share"

4. News/Current Events

Combination: Noto Serif KR + Noto Sans KR

Main Text:
- Font: Noto Serif KR Bold
- Size: 100pt
- Color: Black or dark navy

Sub Text:
- Font: Noto Sans KR Medium
- Size: 55pt
- Color: Dark gray

Background: Solid color (white, light gray)

Example Topics:
"This Week's Hot Issue"
"In-Depth Analysis Report"

5. Gaming/e-Sports

Combination: Black Han Sans + Noto Sans KR

Main Text:
- Font: Black Han Sans
- Size: 150pt
- Color: Neon colors (fluorescent pink, teal)
- Effect: Strong outline, glow

Sub Text:
- Font: Noto Sans KR Black
- Size: 70pt
- Color: White

Background: Dark tone + neon accent

Example Topics:
"Ultimate Strategy"
"Legendary Play"

Free Korean Font Library

Google Fonts

Top 5 Recommendations:

1. Noto Sans KR

   • Type: Sans-serif
   • Weight: Thin ~ Black (9 levels)
   • Advantages: Best readability, versatility
   • Usage: Almost all topics

2. Black Han Sans

   • Type: Sans-serif (extra bold)
   • Weight: Regular (one type)
   • Advantages: Strong impact
   • Usage: Main title, emphasis

3. Nanum Gothic

   • Type: Sans-serif
   • Weight: Regular, Bold, ExtraBold
   • Advantages: Friendly and natural
   • Usage: Casual content

4. Jua

   • Type: Rounded sans-serif
   • Weight: Regular
   • Advantages: Cute and soft
   • Usage: Humor, kids, lifestyle

5. Noto Serif KR

   • Type: Serif
   • Weight: Light ~ Black
   • Advantages: Traditional and authoritative
   • Usage: Professionalism, classic

Font Download Guide with ChatGPT

My Input:

How do I use "Black Han Sans" font in Canva?

ChatGPT's Response:

Black Han Sans is a Google Font so
it's provided by default in Canva.

How to Use:

1. Add text in Canva
2. Select text then click top font menu
3. Enter "Black Han Sans" in search
4. Click appearing font to apply

If it doesn't show:
- Some fonts may be restricted in Canva free account
- Check if "Korean" filter is checked
- Try again after refreshing browser

Alternative Fonts (similar style):
- Nanum Square Round Bold
- Baemin Jua Font

Real Workflow: Deciding Font in 2 Minutes

Full Process:

1. Define Topic and Emotion (20 seconds)

   • Clarify "what are you trying to convey?"

2. Request ChatGPT Recommendation (30 seconds)

   • Ask including topic, emotion, background color

3. Apply in Canva (40 seconds)

   • Search and apply recommended font
   • Adjust size

4. Check Preview (20 seconds)

   • Check scaled down to mobile size
   • Check readability

5. Adjust if Needed (10 seconds)

   • Fine-tune color or size

Total Time: 2 Minutes

Font Selection Checklist

Check if your created thumbnail's font is appropriate:

• Is text readable from 3 meters away?
• Are fonts 2-3 types or less?
• Are main and sub fonts clearly distinguished?
• Does font style match channel topic?
• Is there sufficient color contrast between background and text?
• Is readability good on mobile too?

Conclusion

Fonts are key elements that determine thumbnail personality. With ChatGPT and Canva AI, you can find combinations "perfect for my content" among hundreds of fonts in 2 minutes.

In the next article, I'll introduce an amazing feature where AI automatically arranges thumbnail layouts!

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💡 Today's Tip: If you find a font combination you like in Canva, save it to "Brand Kit". You can apply it with one click without searching for the same font every time!