Your podcast logo and cover art are the first things someone sees before hitting play, and they almost always see them as a thumbnail on a phone screen. That’s why rule number one is legibility: a logo that reads at postage-stamp size, with few elements, contrasting colors, and the name written large. Here’s a practical guide to designing it yourself or giving clear instructions to a designer.
Logo, cover art, and brand identity: not the same thing
- Logo: the symbol or word that identifies your show. It needs to work small and in a single color.
- Cover art: the square image that shows up in podcast apps. It usually includes the logo, the name, and sometimes an illustration or photo.
- Brand identity: the set of colors, fonts, and style you repeat across your cover, socials, set, and video thumbnails.
Start with the logo; the cover art and the identity are built from it.
Technical requirements for cover art
Platforms ask for a high-resolution square image. The standard that works almost everywhere is 3000 × 3000 pixels, in JPG or PNG and in the RGB color space. Always check each platform’s current requirements before uploading, because they can change.
The five principles of a good podcast logo
1. Simplicity
One symbol, one word, or a combination of the two. If you have to explain what each element means, there are too many elements.
2. Legibility at small sizes
Most people will see your cover art at around 60 pixels wide. Try this: shrink the image to the size of an app icon and ask yourself whether the name is readable and the shape is recognizable.
3. Contrast
Light text on a dark background or the other way around. Avoid colors that are too similar (yellow on white, navy on black).
4. Consistency with your tone
A comedy podcast can be colorful and playful; a finance show can be understated. The fonts and colors need to “sound” like your show.
5. Personality
It shouldn’t look like a template. A detail of your own (a shape, an uncommon color, an object that represents your topic) makes you recognizable among hundreds.
Choosing colors
Pick a short palette:
| Role | How many | What for |
|---|---|---|
| Primary color | 1 | The one people associate with you |
| Contrast color | 1 | Text and highlighted elements |
| Neutrals | 1 or 2 | Backgrounds, secondary text |
If you’re curious about what each color conveys, on your set and on your cover, check out color psychology on your set.
Choosing fonts
- Use two fonts at most: one with character for the name and a simple one for text.
- Go for heavy lettering for the name: thin fonts vanish in thumbnails.
- Avoid decorative fonts that are hard to read.
- Make sure the font is licensed for commercial use.
Step-by-step process
- Write your brief: name, topic, audience, tone, three words that describe the show.
- Gather references: cover art you like and why, and cover art you don’t want to resemble.
- Sketch by hand: five quick ideas on paper, without worrying about the details.
- Digitize two or three: in black and white first; if it works without color, it’ll work with color.
- Test it as a thumbnail and in context: place it next to other covers in a screenshot of an app.
- Tweak and export in the sizes you need.
The three-size test
Before you call your logo done, look at it at three sizes: large as cover art, medium as a social media profile picture, and tiny as an icon. If it’s no longer recognizable at the smallest size, simplify: drop the tagline, thicken the lettering, or use just the symbol for small sizes.
Use your identity everywhere
A consistent logo becomes recognizable when it’s repeated: on your cover art, your YouTube thumbnails, your vertical clips, your socials, and the set where you record. If you record on video or in a virtual studio, having your logo on the screen in the background reinforces your brand in every shot.
In remocast, you can create up to two channels with a name, bio, and logo, and choose which one represents each studio. If you’re still working on the name, start with how to choose a name for your podcast. And once you have your logo, create your studio for free and see it on your set.
Common mistakes
- Too many elements: microphone, headphones, sound waves, name, tagline, and photo, all at once.
- Tiny text: the tagline nobody can read.
- Photos with a lot of background: as a thumbnail, it’s just a blur.
- Copying another podcast’s style: it confuses your audience.
- Changing your logo every few months: it keeps people from recognizing you.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to hire a designer?
It’s not required. With a good brief and simple design tools, you can make decent cover art. If your podcast grows, investing in a professional designer is usually worth it.
Can I put my photo on the cover?
Yes, especially if your personal brand is at the center of the show. Use a photo with a simple background and good lighting, and make sure the name still reads at small sizes.
How often should I update my cover art?
Only when there’s a reason: a change in focus, in name, or in production level. Consistency helps people recognize you.