Use the provided template to sketch 16 small thumbnail ideas. 

Using a pencil, draw a variety of lines with varying thickness and distance from each other across the thumbnail box. Repeat for each thumbnail box.  Experiment with as many different types of line as they can think of—thick, thin, wavy, dotted, etc. 

For each thumbnail, evaluate your work. What makes a strong idea could be composition, great movement, eye-catching contrast, or a host of other qualities. Students usually know when a design is successful, but may not have the ability to create successful design themselves until you have practiced many times.

Have your peers (3-5 recommended) select three of your sketches that they think is best or most interesting. 

Make a rough sketch of the top three thumbnails on the provided template.

Continuing to work in pencil with the three chosen thumbnails.  A rough is drawn more neatly and with more care than a thumbnail, and can be started in pencil and completed with a black marker. 

When the roughs are complete, evaluate your work again.  Have your (same) peers select the strongest rough. Continually refining your work strengthens and develops your design sense. 

With the chosen rough, create your final comp on a plain sheet of paper.  Develop your concept into a neatly executed comprehensive design, working first in pencil and then finishing the comp in black marker.