diff --git a/frontend/src/components/dashboard/DashboardLayout.tsx b/frontend/src/components/dashboard/DashboardLayout.tsx
index 0832486..18b9df3 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/dashboard/DashboardLayout.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/components/dashboard/DashboardLayout.tsx
@@ -23,27 +23,31 @@ export function DashboardLayout({ children }: { children: ReactNode }) {
   return (
     <div className="studio-shell">
       <aside className="studio-sidebar">
-        <Link className="studio-logo" to="/dashboard">
-          <span className="studio-logo__mark">N</span>
-          <span>
-            Noah Bianchi
-            <small>photography studio</small>
-          </span>
-        </Link>
-        <div className="studio-sidebar__label">Workspace</div>
-        <nav className="studio-nav" aria-label="Main navigation">
-          {navItems.map((item) => (
-            <NavLink
-              className={({ isActive }) => `studio-nav__item ${isActive ? 'is-active' : ''}`}
-              end={item.end}
-              key={item.path}
-              to={item.path}
-            >
-              <span className="studio-nav__dot" aria-hidden="true" />
-              {item.label}
-            </NavLink>
-          ))}
-        </nav>
+        <div className="studio-sidebar__header">
+          <Link className="studio-logo" to="/dashboard">
+            <span className="studio-logo__mark">N</span>
+            <span className="studio-logo__text">
+              <span className="studio-logo__name">Noah Bianchi</span>
+              <span className="studio-logo__sub">photography studio</span>
+            </span>
+          </Link>
+        </div>
+        <div className="studio-sidebar__nav-wrap">
+          <div className="studio-sidebar__label">Workspace</div>
+          <nav className="studio-nav" aria-label="Main navigation">
+            {navItems.map((item) => (
+              <NavLink
+                className={({ isActive }) => `studio-nav__item ${isActive ? 'is-active' : ''}`}
+                end={item.end}
+                key={item.path}
+                to={item.path}
+              >
+                <span className="studio-nav__dot" aria-hidden="true" />
+                {item.label}
+              </NavLink>
+            ))}
+          </nav>
+        </div>
         <div className="studio-sidebar__bottom">
           <div className="studio-account">
             <span className="studio-account__avatar">{initials || 'N'}</span>
@@ -66,7 +70,9 @@ export function DashboardLayout({ children }: { children: ReactNode }) {
         <div className="studio-mobilebar">
           <Link className="studio-logo" to="/dashboard">
             <span className="studio-logo__mark">N</span>
-            <span>Noah Bianchi</span>
+            <span className="studio-logo__text">
+              <span className="studio-logo__name">Noah Bianchi</span>
+            </span>
           </Link>
           <button
             type="button"
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/dashboard/StudioStat.tsx b/frontend/src/components/dashboard/StudioStat.tsx
index c861d80..d4b54f3 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/dashboard/StudioStat.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/components/dashboard/StudioStat.tsx
@@ -1,19 +1,16 @@
 interface StudioStatProps {
   label: string;
   value: string;
-  note: string;
   accent?: 'coral' | 'violet' | 'gold' | 'ink';
 }
 
-export function StudioStat({ label, value, note, accent = 'coral' }: StudioStatProps) {
+export function StudioStat({ label, value, accent = 'coral' }: StudioStatProps) {
   return (
     <div className={`studio-stat studio-stat--${accent}`}>
       <div className="studio-stat__topline">
         <span>{label}</span>
-        <i aria-hidden="true" />
       </div>
       <strong>{value}</strong>
-      <small>{note}</small>
     </div>
   );
 }
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/dashboard/UploadDropzone.tsx b/frontend/src/components/dashboard/UploadDropzone.tsx
index 991d8b3..d68f372 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/dashboard/UploadDropzone.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/components/dashboard/UploadDropzone.tsx
@@ -1,13 +1,14 @@
-import { useRef, useState } from 'react';
+import { useEffect, useRef, useState } from 'react';
 
-import { completeUpload, createUpload, uploadToStorage } from '../../lib/api';
+import { getGallery, completeUpload, createUpload, uploadToStorage } from '../../lib/api';
 import { formatBytes } from '../../lib/format';
 import type { MediaItem } from '../../types/gallery';
 
 type UploadStatus = 'queued' | 'uploading' | 'processing' | 'ready' | 'failed' | 'cancelled';
 
 interface UploadEntry {
-  id: string;
+  entryId: string;
+  mediaId: string;
   file: File;
   progress: number;
   status: UploadStatus;
@@ -25,44 +26,50 @@ export function UploadDropzone({ galleryId, onMedia, onRefresh }: UploadDropzone
   const [dragging, setDragging] = useState(false);
   const controllers = useRef(new Map<string, AbortController>());
   const inputRef = useRef<HTMLInputElement>(null);
+  const pollTimers = useRef(new Map<string, ReturnType<typeof setTimeout>>());
+
+  useEffect(() => {
+    return () => {
+      pollTimers.current.forEach((t) => clearTimeout(t));
+    };
+  }, []);
 
   function addFiles(files: File[]) {
     files.forEach((file, index) => {
-      const id = `${file.name}-${file.lastModified}-${Date.now()}-${index}`;
-      setEntries((current) => [...current, { id, file, progress: 0, status: 'queued' }]);
-      void upload(id, file);
+      const entryId = `${file.name}-${file.lastModified}-${Date.now()}-${index}`;
+      setEntries((current) => [...current, { entryId, mediaId: '', file, progress: 0, status: 'queued' }]);
+      void upload(entryId, file);
     });
   }
 
-  async function upload(id: string, file: File) {
+  async function upload(entryId: string, file: File) {
     const controller = new AbortController();
-    controllers.current.set(id, controller);
+    controllers.current.set(entryId, controller);
     try {
-      setEntry(id, { status: 'uploading', progress: 0 });
+      setEntry(entryId, { status: 'uploading', progress: 0 });
       const created = await createUpload(galleryId, file);
+      setEntry(entryId, { mediaId: created.media.id });
       await uploadToStorage(
         created.uploadUrl,
         file,
-        (progress) => setEntry(id, { progress }),
+        (progress) => setEntry(entryId, { progress }),
         controller.signal,
       );
-      setEntry(id, { status: 'processing', progress: 100 });
+      setEntry(entryId, { status: 'processing', progress: 100 });
       const completed = await completeUpload(created.uploadId);
-      setEntry(id, {
-        status: completed.processingStatus === 'READY' ? 'ready' : 'processing',
-        progress: 100,
-      });
+      const isReady = completed.processingStatus === 'READY';
+      setEntry(entryId, { status: isReady ? 'ready' : 'processing', progress: 100 });
       onMedia(completed);
+      if (!isReady) {
+        pollMedia(entryId, completed.id);
+      }
       window.setTimeout(onRefresh, 1400);
     } catch (reason) {
       if (reason instanceof DOMException && reason.name === 'AbortError') {
-        setEntry(id, { status: 'cancelled' });
+        setEntry(entryId, { status: 'cancelled' });
       } else {
         const message = reason instanceof Error ? reason.message : 'Upload failed.';
-        setEntry(id, {
-          status: 'failed',
-          error: message,
-        });
+        setEntry(entryId, { status: 'failed', error: message });
         try {
           window.localStorage.setItem(
             'studio:last-upload-error',
@@ -73,23 +80,43 @@ export function UploadDropzone({ galleryId, onMedia, onRefresh }: UploadDropzone
         }
       }
     } finally {
-      controllers.current.delete(id);
+      controllers.current.delete(entryId);
     }
   }
 
-  function setEntry(id: string, update: Partial<UploadEntry>) {
+  async function pollMedia(entryId: string, mediaId: string) {
+    const timer = window.setTimeout(async () => {
+      try {
+        const gallery = await getGallery(galleryId);
+        const media = gallery.media.find((m) => m.id === mediaId);
+        if (media?.processingStatus === 'READY' || media?.processingStatus === 'FAILED') {
+          setEntry(entryId, { status: 'ready' });
+          pollTimers.current.delete(entryId);
+          return;
+        }
+        pollMedia(entryId, mediaId);
+      } catch {
+        pollMedia(entryId, mediaId);
+      }
+    }, 3000);
+    pollTimers.current.set(entryId, timer);
+  }
+
+  function setEntry(entryId: string, update: Partial<UploadEntry>) {
     setEntries((current) =>
-      current.map((entry) => (entry.id === id ? { ...entry, ...update } : entry)),
+      current.map((entry) => (entry.entryId === entryId ? { ...entry, ...update } : entry)),
     );
   }
 
-  function cancel(id: string) {
-    controllers.current.get(id)?.abort();
+  function cancel(entryId: string) {
+    const timer = pollTimers.current.get(entryId);
+    if (timer) { clearTimeout(timer); pollTimers.current.delete(entryId); }
+    controllers.current.get(entryId)?.abort();
   }
 
   function retry(entry: UploadEntry) {
-    setEntry(entry.id, { status: 'queued', progress: 0, error: undefined });
-    void upload(entry.id, entry.file);
+    setEntry(entry.entryId, { status: 'queued', progress: 0, error: undefined });
+    void upload(entry.entryId, entry.file);
   }
 
   const totalProgress = entries.length
@@ -144,7 +171,7 @@ export function UploadDropzone({ galleryId, onMedia, onRefresh }: UploadDropzone
           </div>
           <div className="upload-queue__items">
             {entries.map((entry) => (
-              <div className="upload-row" key={entry.id}>
+              <div className="upload-row" key={entry.entryId}>
                 <span className="upload-row__type">
                   {entry.file.type.startsWith('video/') ? 'MOV' : 'IMG'}
                 </span>
@@ -159,7 +186,7 @@ export function UploadDropzone({ galleryId, onMedia, onRefresh }: UploadDropzone
                 {(entry.status === 'uploading' || entry.status === 'processing') && (
                   <button
                     type="button"
-                    onClick={() => cancel(entry.id)}
+                    onClick={() => cancel(entry.entryId)}
                     aria-label={`Cancel ${entry.file.name}`}
                   >
                     &#215;
@@ -177,4 +204,4 @@ export function UploadDropzone({ galleryId, onMedia, onRefresh }: UploadDropzone
       )}
     </div>
   );
-}
+}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/gallery/ClientGallery.tsx b/frontend/src/components/gallery/ClientGallery.tsx
index 2ee2070..229d276 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/gallery/ClientGallery.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/components/gallery/ClientGallery.tsx
@@ -126,7 +126,7 @@ export function ClientGallery({ gallery }: ClientGalleryProps) {
           ) : (
             <span className="client-brand__mark">{branding.studioName?.slice(0, 1) || 'N'}</span>
           )}
-          <span>{branding.studioName || 'Your studio'}</span>
+          <span>{branding.studioName || 'Noah Bianchi'}</span>
         </a>
         <div className="client-gallery__nav-actions">
           {gallery.downloadAllEnabled !== false && gallery.downloadsEnabled !== false && (
@@ -136,7 +136,6 @@ export function ClientGallery({ gallery }: ClientGalleryProps) {
                 : downloadJob?.status === 'READY'
                   ? 'ZIP ready'
                   : 'Download gallery'}{' '}
-              <span aria-hidden="true">&#8595;</span>
             </button>
           )}
           <span className="client-gallery__edition">{gallery.clientName}</span>
@@ -207,12 +206,6 @@ export function ClientGallery({ gallery }: ClientGalleryProps) {
         <section className="client-download-section">
           <div className="client-download-section__copy">
             <p className="client-kicker">Downloads</p>
-            <h2 className="client-display">
-              Download
-              <br />
-              <em>originals.</em>
-            </h2>
-            <p>Download the original files from this gallery.</p>
           </div>
           {gallery.downloadsEnabled !== false && (
             <button
@@ -253,8 +246,7 @@ export function ClientGallery({ gallery }: ClientGalleryProps) {
         <div>
           <span className="client-brand__mark">{branding.studioName?.slice(0, 1) || 'N'}</span>
           <div>
-            <strong>{branding.studioName || 'Your studio'}</strong>
-            <small>{branding.tagline || 'Client Delivery'}</small>
+            <strong>{branding.studioName || 'Noah Bianchi'}</strong>
           </div>
         </div>
         <div className="client-footer__links">
diff --git a/frontend/src/pages/dashboard/DashboardPage.tsx b/frontend/src/pages/dashboard/DashboardPage.tsx
index 20e1165..442752a 100644
--- a/frontend/src/pages/dashboard/DashboardPage.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/pages/dashboard/DashboardPage.tsx
@@ -56,25 +56,21 @@ export default function DashboardPage() {
           <StudioStat
             label="Total Galleries"
             value={String(galleries.length).padStart(2, '0')}
-            note="Gallery Buffer"
             accent="coral"
           />
           <StudioStat
             label="Published"
             value={String(published).padStart(2, '0')}
-            note="Live Deliveries"
             accent="violet"
           />
           <StudioStat
             label="Photographs"
             value={String(photos).padStart(2, '0')}
-            note="Media Records"
             accent="gold"
           />
           <StudioStat
             label="Storage Used"
             value={formatBytes(storage)}
-            note="Object Storage"
             accent="ink"
           />
         </section>
diff --git a/frontend/src/pages/dashboard/GalleryEditorPage.tsx b/frontend/src/pages/dashboard/GalleryEditorPage.tsx
index 05988a4..fa1dd03 100644
--- a/frontend/src/pages/dashboard/GalleryEditorPage.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/pages/dashboard/GalleryEditorPage.tsx
@@ -135,6 +135,9 @@ export default function GalleryEditorPage() {
         ...current,
         coverMediaId: value.coverMediaId || current.coverMediaId,
       }));
+      if (value.media.some((m) => m.processingStatus === 'PROCESSING')) {
+        setTimeout(() => void refreshGallery(), 3000);
+      }
     } catch {
       // A completed upload can take a moment to appear while processing.
     }
@@ -602,7 +605,7 @@ export default function GalleryEditorPage() {
                   type="url"
                   value={draft.websiteUrl}
                   onChange={(event) => setField('websiteUrl', event.target.value)}
-                  placeholder="https://yourstudio.com"
+                  placeholder="https://noahbianchi.be"
                 />
               </label>
               <label className="editor-field-single">
@@ -610,7 +613,7 @@ export default function GalleryEditorPage() {
                 <input
                   value={draft.instagramUrl}
                   onChange={(event) => setField('instagramUrl', event.target.value)}
-                  placeholder="https://instagram.com/yourstudio"
+                  placeholder="https://instagram.com/noahbianchi"
                 />
               </label>
             </section>
@@ -708,13 +711,16 @@ function EditorMediaTile({
       <div className="editor-media-tile__image">
         {isVideo ? (
           <button
-            className="editor-media-tile__video-placeholder"
+            className={`editor-media-tile__video-placeholder ${item.thumbnailUrl ? 'has-thumb' : ''}`}
             type="button"
             onClick={(e) => { e.stopPropagation(); onOpenVideo?.(); }}
             aria-label="Play video"
           >
+            {item.thumbnailUrl ? (
+              <img src={item.thumbnailUrl} alt="" className="editor-media-tile__video-thumb" />
+            ) : null}
             <span className="editor-media-tile__play-icon">&#9654;</span>
-            <span>VIDEO</span>
+            <span className="editor-media-tile__video-label-text">VIDEO</span>
           </button>
         ) : item.previewUrl ? (
           <img src={item.previewUrl} alt="" loading="lazy" />
@@ -724,7 +730,7 @@ function EditorMediaTile({
           </div>
         )}
         {isVideo && (
-          <span className="editor-media-tile__video-label">
+          <span className="editor-media-tile__film-label">
             Film {formatDuration(item.durationSeconds)}
           </span>
         )}
diff --git a/frontend/src/styles/index.css b/frontend/src/styles/index.css
index e6e162c..53f9417 100644
--- a/frontend/src/styles/index.css
+++ b/frontend/src/styles/index.css
@@ -961,9 +961,9 @@ a {
 .studio-sidebar {
   display: flex;
   flex-direction: column;
-  width: 220px;
-  min-width: 220px;
-  padding: 28px 20px;
+  width: 240px;
+  min-width: 240px;
+  padding: 0;
   background: var(--surface);
   border-right: 1px solid var(--border-subtle);
   overflow-y: auto;
@@ -971,44 +971,73 @@ a {
   z-index: 100;
 }
 
+.studio-sidebar__header {
+  display: flex;
+  flex-direction: column;
+  padding: 28px 24px 20px;
+  border-bottom: 1px solid var(--border-subtle);
+  margin-bottom: 24px;
+  gap: 6px;
+}
+
 .studio-sidebar__label {
-  font-size: 9px;
+  font-size: 10px;
   font-weight: 600;
   letter-spacing: 0.12em;
   text-transform: uppercase;
   color: var(--fg-muted);
-  margin-bottom: 14px;
+  padding: 0 24px;
+  margin-bottom: 8px;
 }
 
 .studio-logo {
   display: inline-flex;
   align-items: center;
-  gap: 10px;
-  margin-bottom: 36px;
+  gap: 12px;
 }
 
 .studio-logo__mark {
   display: inline-flex;
   align-items: center;
   justify-content: center;
-  width: 32px;
-  height: 32px;
+  width: 34px;
+  height: 34px;
   flex-shrink: 0;
   border-radius: 50%;
   overflow: hidden;
   background: var(--accent);
   color: var(--bg);
   font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;
-  font-size: 14px;
+  font-size: 15px;
   font-weight: 600;
   line-height: 1;
 }
 
+.studio-logo__text {
+  display: flex;
+  flex-direction: column;
+  gap: 1px;
+}
+
+.studio-logo__name {
+  font-size: 13px;
+  font-weight: 600;
+  color: var(--fg);
+  line-height: 1.2;
+}
+
+.studio-logo__sub {
+  font-size: 9px;
+  color: var(--fg-muted);
+  letter-spacing: 0.04em;
+}
+
 .studio-nav {
   display: flex;
   flex-direction: column;
-  gap: 2px;
-  margin-bottom: 24px;
+  gap: 1px;
+  padding: 8px 12px;
+  margin-bottom: 0;
 }
 
 .studio-nav__item {
@@ -1040,23 +1069,29 @@ a {
   height: 4px;
   border-radius: 50%;
   background: var(--fg-muted);
+  flex-shrink: 0;
 }
 
 .studio-nav__item.is-active .studio-nav__dot {
   background: var(--accent);
 }
 
+.studio-sidebar__nav-wrap {
+  flex: 1;
+  padding: 0 12px;
+}
+
 .studio-sidebar__note {
   display: flex;
   align-items: flex-start;
   gap: 10px;
   padding: 12px;
+  margin: 0 24px 16px;
   border: 1px solid var(--border-subtle);
   border-radius: var(--radius-sm);
   font-size: 10px;
   color: var(--fg-muted);
   line-height: 1.5;
-  margin-bottom: 24px;
 }
 
 .studio-sidebar__note strong {
@@ -2121,13 +2156,14 @@ input[type='color'] {
 }
 
 .editor-media-tile__video-placeholder {
+  position: relative;
   display: flex;
   flex-direction: column;
   align-items: center;
   justify-content: center;
   width: 100%;
   height: 100%;
-  gap: 8px;
+  gap: 4px;
   color: var(--fg-muted);
   font-size: 9px;
   font-weight: 600;
@@ -2137,19 +2173,53 @@ input[type='color'] {
   border: 0;
   cursor: pointer;
   transition: background var(--transition);
+  overflow: hidden;
+}
+
+.editor-media-tile__video-placeholder.has-thumb {
+  background: transparent;
 }
 
 .editor-media-tile__video-placeholder:hover {
   background: var(--surface-hover);
 }
 
-.editor-media-tile__play-icon {
-  font-size: 24px;
-  color: var(--fg-secondary);
-  line-height: 1;
+.editor-media-tile__video-placeholder.has-thumb:hover {
+  background: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.3);
 }
 
-.editor-media-tile__video-label {
+.editor-media-tile__video-thumb {
+  position: absolute;
+  inset: 0;
+  width: 100%;
+  height: 100%;
+  object-fit: cover;
+  pointer-events: none;
+}
+
+.editor-media-tile__play-icon {
+  position: relative;
+  z-index: 1;
+  font-size: 28px;
+  color: rgba(243, 237, 232, 0.9);
+  line-height: 1;
+  text-shadow: 0 2px 12px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5);
+  transition: transform var(--transition);
+}
+
+.editor-media-tile__video-placeholder:hover .editor-media-tile__play-icon {
+  transform: scale(1.1);
+}
+
+.editor-media-tile__video-label-text {
+  position: relative;
+  z-index: 1;
+  font-size: 8px;
+  color: rgba(243, 237, 232, 0.8);
+  text-shadow: 0 1px 6px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5);
+}
+
+.editor-media-tile__film-label {
   position: absolute;
   bottom: 8px;
   left: 8px;
@@ -2160,6 +2230,7 @@ input[type='color'] {
   text-transform: uppercase;
   background: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.6);
   color: var(--fg);
+  z-index: 1;
 }
 
 .editor-media-tile__placeholder {