Experienced podcasters know that creating likable podcast cover art isn't enough.

To convince new listeners to check out your content, your Cover Art needs to be unique, outstanding, high-quality, and designed to meet the technical requirements of distribution platforms.

If you are a new podcaster, or even just considering starting your own podcast, overly technical information can feel overwhelming.

That's why I've put together a simple, beginner-friendly guide to walk you through the steps necessary to understand how to design successful cover art.

In the article, we will be discussing do's and don'ts-what to do and what not to do-to have the perfect cover art even as a novice.

Once you’re familiar with the basics, you can move on to our guide: Ultimate Guide to Podcast Cover Art That Stands Out.

What is cover art?

Cover Art is the visual for your podcast: the image that shows up when a listener searches in podcast directories, streaming platforms, or social media when your podcast gets shared.

The cover art serves as the "face" for your podcast: this is what prospects view at first sight, and what actually drives them to decide upon selecting your content and giving it a try!

Attention-grabbing isn't its only role: cover art communicates all the basic information about your podcast, its topic, tone, and target group.

A catchy cover is really what will sell your podcast among thousands and help attract new listeners.

Think of it as a key tool to market your podcast and give it an identity among the competition.

Do not confuse it with the Logo!

What are the rules to create winning cover art?

For cover art to be truly effective, there are certain rules you need to follow—and some mistakes you should avoid. Let’s break them down in detail:

1. Simplicity is the key

Do: Create a clear visual brand for your podcast

• Spend time defining your podcast’s tone, style, and target audience. Use colors, fonts, and graphics that reflect your theme.

Don’t: Jump into designing without a plan

• Designing on the fly without understanding your podcast’s identity can lead to an inconsistent or confusing cover.

2. Coherence is crucial

Do: Match your design style with your podcast’s theme

• Use visuals, fonts, and colors that convey your podcast’s content and vibe, making it instantly recognizable.

Don’t: Use overused or unrelated icons

• Skip clichés like generic microphones or unrelated imagery that don’t align with your podcast’s topic or brand.

3. Respect the platform's requirements

Do: Check your technical specifications

• Ensure your design meets the standard requirements:

• Dimensions: 3000x3000 pixels.

• Format: JPEG or PNG.

• Resolution: At least 72 dpi, preferably higher.

• Aspect Ratio: 1:1 (square).

• Color Space: RGB.

• File Size: No larger than 500 KB for faster loading.

Each platform is different, so make sure to check before publishing.

Don’t: Ignore the technical guidelines

• A design that doesn’t meet platform specifications may appear distorted, cropped, or fail to upload altogether.

4. Quality is priority

Do: Use sharp, high-quality images

• Opt for photos or illustrations with a resolution of 1400x1400 to 3000x3000 pixels to ensure they look professional on all platforms.

Don’t: Use blurry or stretched visuals

• Enlarging low-resolution images or stretching small photos can result in a pixelated and unprofessional look.

5. Make it readable

Do: Choose bold and simple imagery

• Keep the design clean and focused with high-contrast visuals that grab attention in a crowded podcast directory.

Don’t: Overload the design with text or too many fonts

• Too much text, mismatched fonts, or excessive details can clutter the design and make it hard to read.

6. Dimensions count

Do: Ensure your design works at all sizes

• Test your cover art in thumbnail view and on various devices to confirm it remains clear and legible.

Don’t: Assume one size fits all

• A design that looks good full-sized might not translate well to smaller formats, like a phone screen.

  

7. Harmonize the color combination

Do: Use a harmonious color palette

• Pick complementary colors that align with your podcast’s tone (e.g., bright colors for fun, muted for serious).

Don’t: Choose random or clashing colors

• Using colors without a strategy can make your cover art look chaotic and unprofessional.

8. The bigger the better

Do: Make your title stand out with bold typography

• Use large, easy-to-read fonts to ensure your podcast’s name is clear at any size. But use common sense, as you want a likable visual effect.

Don’t: Use small text or add unnecessary words

• Avoid tiny fonts or including extra phrases beyond the title, as they can clutter your design.

9. Insert the right elements

Do: Incorporate subtle patterns or illustrations

• Add simple decorative elements to enhance your design without overpowering the main content.

Don’t: Overcrowd with excessive creative elements

• Mixing too many illustrations, patterns, or graphics can create a busy and confusing design.

10. Make good use of the space

Do: Embrace simplicity with strategic negative space

• Create a balanced layout by using empty areas to emphasize key elements, like your title or logo.

Don’t: Fill every inch of the design

• Overloading your cover art with too many details or elements can confuse potential listeners.

11. Focus on the key image

Do: Pick photos with clear subjects and minimal backgrounds

• Use images with a defined focal point and uncluttered backgrounds to make the design impactful.

Don’t: Use photos that are visually busy or distracting

• Crowded images with too many details can make your cover art hard to understand at a glance.

12. Your brand must pop out

Do: Highlight your podcast’s logo prominently

• Your logo should be a noticeable element to reinforce your branding and make your podcast recognizable.

Don’t: Forget to include your logo in the design

• Omitting your logo can reduce brand recognition and consistency across platforms.

  

13. Make sure you're fully visible

Do: Preview your design across different devices

• Ensure your cover art looks polished and legible on desktops, tablets, and smartphone thumbnails.

Don’t: Forget to check how your cover appears in tiny thumbnails

• A design that works well at full size might lose its impact or legibility when scaled down.

14. Align your metadata

Do: Ensure your cover art  aligns with your metadata

• If your cover art and metadata are mismatched-a title that does not correspond with the artwork, it can be confusing to the potential listener, and will affect your credibility.

Don’t: Ignore the connection between design and metadata

• A mismatch between your cover art and metadata (e.g., a title that doesn't match the artwork) can confuse potential listeners and hurt your credibility.

15. Get Feedback Before Finalizing

Do: Seek constructive feedback

• Get honest opinions on clarity, appeal, and relevance to your podcast's theme. Constructive responses might help you notice things you missed and refine your design before it goes live.

Don’t: Dismiss feedback entirely

• Not taking comments, especially from those representing your target audience, into consideration can lead to missed opportunities for improvement. Although not every comment or suggestion may need implementation, recurring comments or critiques will help in having cover art that would click with people who could be your eventual listeners.

16. Respect Intellectual Property and Content Guidelines

Do: Use original or properly licensed content

• Ensure your cover art only includes elements you have rights to or for which you have permission. This includes images, fonts, design elements, and even stock photos. Your podcast might be removed from platforms if you don't respect intellectual property.

Don’t: Use copyrighted material without permission

• Avoid including copyrighted images, logos, or designs for which you don’t have the right to use. Do not download images from Google or use pics of a celebrity unless you’ve got permissions.

17. Avoid Inappropriate Content

Do: Keep your design audience-friendly

• Create a cover that aligns with your podcast’s tone and theme while remaining respectful to all audiences. A clean, professional design is always a safe bet, regardless of your podcast’s subject matter.

Don’t: Use offensive or inappropriate visuals

• Avoid images that promote violence, drug use, hate speech, or anything offensive. Most podcast platforms have strict content guidelines, and violating them could result in your show being rejected or removed.

Still unsure how to choose the best equipment for your podcast studio? If so, read our guides:

How to choose the best podcast headphones (2024)

How to Choose the Best Microphone for your Podcast

How-To Guide: How to Choose the Best Audio Interface for your Podcast

How to Choose a Podcast Mixer: Complete Guide

Author's note

Have you ever imagined turning your content into a podcast but thought you didn’t have the time or tools to make it happen?

Enter Podcastai, the revolutionary AI-powered software that transforms your blog posts, newsletters, and even news articles into podcast episodes—using your own voice.

It takes care of the entire process, from writing episodes to creating show notes, cover art, and transcripts.

But there’s more—PodcastAI publishes your podcast on platforms like Apple and Spotify, creates promotional clips for social media, and even provides a dedicated website for your show.

Whether you’re a solo content creator or a marketing agency, PodcastAI makes it easier than ever to engage your audience and expand your brand without the typical time investment.