What are thumbnails in the context of design?

Thumbnails in the context of design refer to quick, spontaneous sketches of ideas. They serve as a tool for designers to explore concepts rapidly without getting bogged down in detail or perfection. The purpose of thumbnails is to allow for brainstorming and experimentation with layout, composition, and visual ideas. By creating these small, simplified representations, designers can visualize different approaches and filter through numerous options to refine their concepts before committing to more detailed designs.

Thumbnails are effective in the early stages of the design process because they encourage creativity and flexibility, enabling the designer to quickly iterate on ideas. They are not finalized versions, which would involve a polished and fully realized design, and they are also not detailed sketches that would outline the minutiae of a final design. Instead, they focus on the basic outline and structure of a concept. Additionally, they are not large-scale drafts, which would typically require more time and resources to develop, reflecting a more advanced stage of the design workflow.