What Makes a Great Podcast Episode Cover (With Examples from ‘The 80s and 90s Uncensored”)
When listeners browse through the sea of podcasts available today, one of the first things they notice is the cover art. In a world where visual impressions are instant and often decisive, the cover of your podcast is your first chance to make an impact. But here's the thing: podcast cover art isn't just important for the overall show—it’s crucial for each individual episode too. Let's explore what makes a good podcast cover.
Clear Visual Hierarchy
A great podcast cover has a clear visual hierarchy that leads the viewer’s eyes in a logical flow. This typically means a title or subject that is easy to read at a glance, accompanied by imagery or design elements that support the theme. Remember, podcast covers are viewed at small sizes, so legibility is critical.
On-Brand Colors and Fonts
Consistency is key, especially when you're creating individual episode covers. While each episode may have a unique twist, using a consistent set of colors and fonts helps to tie everything back to your overall podcast branding. This ensures that every cover feels like it's part of a larger whole.
Simple but Memorable Design
Great podcast covers avoid clutter. A simple design is more likely to stand out and be remembered. Focus on the core message or topic of the episode and translate that visually. Whether it's using a striking image, a bold typeface, or a minimalist approach, simplicity often wins.
Episode-Specific Imagery
One of the reasons you should create covers for each episode is to visually represent what that episode is about. This could mean using images related to the guest, subject matter, or key themes. For example, an episode on entrepreneurship might feature a microphone alongside an image of a laptop or desk setup.
Proper Aspect Ratio and Quality
Technical details matter. Make sure your cover art follows the proper aspect ratio for podcast directories (usually 1:1) and is high-resolution (at least 1400 x 1400 pixels). Blurry or pixelated images are a quick way to lose credibility.
Emotive Power
Visuals have the power to evoke emotions. Whether it’s excitement, curiosity, or nostalgia, a great podcast cover can trigger feelings that compel someone to click play. Think about how the colors, typography, and imagery you choose will make people feel.
Examples from the Evolution of “the 80s and 90s Uncensored Podcast” Covers
Let’s take a stroll through the iterations of our podcast covers over the year for “The 80s and 90s Uncensored” podcast. Because, after all, good work is a progression of iterations over time.
1st Iteration Podcast Covers
Podcast covers from our first season are examples of what not to do. Our first season podcast covers were messy, convoluted, crowded and not mobile friendly. The point was to get attention, but these jumbles likely had the opposite effect, especially on mobile devices. They also have lack hierarchy and have too much imagery mashed up together in a chaotic, unharmonious manner.
2nd Iteration Podcast Covers
Our next iteration podcast covers went in the right direction with larger text and logo, and focused images. Yet, the background (weird yellow and black) was an off-brand color and still added unnecessary noise. There were also syncopated text elements (the black and white box, and unreadable red text). There were too many colors all together. Still, this was a vast improvement.
3rd Iteration Podcast Covers
This iteration was fun with the unique backgrounds for each cover, but suffered the same issues as its 2nd generation predecessor. The typography was inconsistent and the backgrounds too busy, taking away from the episodes’ subjects.
4th Iteration Podcast Covers
Things started to jive in our 4th iteration. The interesting backgrounds went inside the text, which was on a clear, matted background. The large text was mobile friendly and we reduced the main image to one as the subject focal point.
5thth Iteration Podcast Covers
Our 5th and current iteration changed the matting background to match our new neon logo. The text is still large and mobile friendly with one or two subject focal. How do you think our current podcast cover designs can improve? Let me know in the comments.
Final Thoughts
Podcast covers for each episode aren't just "nice to have"—they are essential. They serve as a visual hook, set the tone, and increase your chances of engaging both new and returning listeners. When done well, your episode covers can reinforce your branding, improve discoverability, and make sharing your content a lot more fun for your audience. Invest the time and creativity into making them not just attractive but meaningful representations of your podcast's content.
After all, your podcast is your voice. Let your cover art be its face.
