LinkedIn Learning: Thumbnails

 

Over a four-year time span, I worked with one of the world's largest tech companies as a freelance graphic designer and illustrator. Over multiple 12-month long contract periods, I created thousands of course thumbnails to enhance LinkedIn Learning’s user interface.

I was part of the thumbnail team as we launched LinkedIn Learning (previously Lynda.com) in 2016. Our goal was to quickly and effectively communicate complex course subjects while creating new illustrations and icons to align with the LinkedIn brand. CD: Terri Basset AD: Randall Loui

Illustration

Our illustration based thumbnails provide an engaging human element while visually communicating complex course themes. We created each custom illustration while pulling from a wide graphic library of skin tones, hair styles, and body types.

Using-Public-Health-Dashboards-2871170.png
Introduction-to-AWS-for-Non-Engineers-3-Core-Services-5035803.png
Components-of-Effective-Learning-2822030.png
2975174-Ruby-on-Rails-6-Essential-Training--Models-and-Associations.png
Marketing-on-Instagram-[Update-Q4-2020]-2823346-1.png
Design-a-Cloud-Migration-Strategy-28350172835017.png
Securing-Django-Applications-2822478.png
The-Five-step-Guide-to-Mastering-Your-Money-2871251.png
Microsoft-Azure-AI-Fundamentals-AI-900-2857068.png

Photo Illustrations

We sourced brand-appropriate photography internally and externally to create these business themed thumbnails. We then paired the photography with an iconic graphic element.

photo_ills_011320Make-the-move-from-Individual-Contributor-to-Manager-2.png
photo_ills_011320Improving-Your-Judgment-for-Better-Decision-Making-2823137-2.png
photo_illustration_template_022019Writing-a-Business-Case-580625.png
photo_illustration_template_022019Préparer-son-entretien-d'embauche-501063.png
photo_ills_011320Journey-Mapping_-Case-Study-in-Action-2819182-2.png
photo_ills_011320Managing-for-Better-Ideas-2.png

Interface

For software-specific courses, we created interface based thumbnails. The designs are based on the program’s actual interface, so the content in the course would be quickly recognizable from the thumbnail. On multiple occasions, I had the opportunity to collaborate with the LinkedIn Learning teams in Japan and China. I worked closely with producers and course authors to design thumbnails suitable for an Asian audience.

5010650-Introducing-Postman.png
Outlook-Time-Management-with-Calendar-and-Tasks-5030967.png
2814065-Sibelius-Ultimate-2019-Essential-Training-The-Basics.png
Visual-Studio-ソリューション-エクスプローラーJP_1139.png
Google-ドキュメント-基本講座-JP_1110.png
Microsoft-Teams-基本講座JP_1152.png

Audio

During my time at LinkedIn Learning, the need for a new thumbnail style presented itself. Production of audio-only courses had begun, and we needed a style that was cohesive with the existing thumbnails yet able to stand out as it’s own category. I collaborated with the rest of the team to present multiple concepts, and we landed on one of the initial designs I created. Geometric, bold, and with a hint of retro flair, these thumbnails were built to include illustration and title, as the thumbnail design would need to function as a standalone graphic occasionally.

The-Five-Thieves-of-Happiness-(getAbstract-Summary)-2243046.png
2839073-Reinventing-the-Product.png
2836024-How-to-Win-at-the-Sport-of-Business.png
Innovation-for-the-Fatigued-(Blinkist-Summary)-2836028.png
The-Fearless-Organization-(Blinkist-Summary)-2839075.png
iPad-Pro-Mockup_tn.png

Thumbnails in use

Thumbnail application on LinkedIn Learning desktop site.
LiL_course_illustration_mockup1.png
Screen Shot 2020-11-19 at 5.25.49 PM.png
LiL_course_illustration_mockup2.png
Thumbnails in the LinkedIn Learning app.
mobile_mockup_LiL2.png
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