// learn / podcasts / branding
How to create podcast artwork that actually gets clicks
Cover art is your storefront in a directory of millions. It has to do one job: get a stranger to tap.
The thumbnail test
Open your design at 120x120 px on your phone. If you can't read the title and instantly understand the vibe, redesign it. Apple Podcasts and Spotify will both render your art at that size in a list view. Most of the design decisions you'll lose sleep over disappear at thumbnail size.
What works
- Big, legible title in 1–3 words. Show name, not tagline.
- High contrast — dark on light or light on dark. Skip mid-tone gradients.
- One focal element — a face, a symbol, a number. Not three.
- A color you own — pick one and use it across every touchpoint.
What kills clicks
- Tiny text. If you can't read it on your phone home screen, neither can anyone else.
- Stock-photo microphones. Lazy signal. Genre cliché.
- Tagline as the biggest text. Tagline ≠ name.
- More than two fonts. Pick one display, optionally one mono.
- Drop shadows from 2011.
Testing before you launch
Mock the cover into Apple Podcasts and Spotify screenshots (templates are free on Figma Community). Put it in a category page next to real shows. Does yours hold its own? Send the screenshot to five people in your target audience and ask "which would you tap?" — not "which do you like?" Likes lie. Taps don't.
When to hire a designer
Around episode 30–50, when you know what the show really is. Day one is too early — you'll redesign anyway. If you're scrappy, Canva plus the rules above will get you to a "good enough" cover for launch. Then upgrade with someone who's done podcast covers before, not just generic graphic design.
If you haven't launched yet, the starter guide is the prerequisite. Cover art comes after the show concept, not before.
Frequently asked questions
What size should podcast cover art be?
3000x3000 px, square, RGB. Apple requires a minimum of 1400x1400 but 3000x3000 future-proofs you for every player.
Should I put my face on the cover?
If the show is built on you (interviews, personal essays), yes. If the show is built on a topic, no — let the topic be the hero. Generic 'person with mic' covers convert worst of all.
How important is the title vs. the image?
Title is 70% of the click. Image is 30%. If your title needs the image to make sense, the title is wrong.
Should I rebrand the artwork over time?
Refresh it every 12–24 months as the show evolves. Don't change so drastically that listeners can't find you in their library.
Can I make it in Canva?
Yes, especially in year one. Hire a designer when the show is established and you know what it really is. Designing too early locks in the wrong identity.