Basic Guide to Creating Your Podcast Logo

Requirements for a Podcast Logo

To ensure optimal quality, podcast artwork should be in a .png file format, with a maximum file size of 2 MB and dimensions of up to 3000 x 3000 pixels (1400 x 1400 pixels minimum). The colorspace should be RGB.

Submitting podcasts to five directories is essential for success: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pandora, Soundcloud, and Google Podcasts. These directories have their own requirements for audio resolution and file size limits, so be sure to familiarize yourself with them.

To create a podcast logo that meets the requirements of the top 5 directories, ensure the following:

• Compress the file to a maximum of 2MB (SoundCloud limit). Aim to keep it below 500KB.
• The image size should be at least 1400 x 1400 pixels, 72 dpi (the minimum limit Apple Podcasts accepts). Make the image larger, up to 3000 x 3000 pixels, to ensure it looks sharp when viewed on larger devices such as smart TVs.
• Use a PNG file format with the appropriate extension (.png) to avoid losing quality.
• Alternatively, use a JPEG format with the appropriate extension (.jpg).
• Use colorspace RGB (Google’s requirement; they do not support CMYK).

These steps will ensure the podcast logo is optimized for use as a Google podcast icon and an Apple podcast icon.

Brand Elements To Use When You Create A Podcast Logo

Podcast Topic

Take a moment to pause and reflect.

1. Determine the objective of the podcast.

2. Identify the target audience.

3. Consider the desires of the listeners.

Doing these, you can guarantee that your podcast will fulfill their expectations, keeping them coming back for more.

Podcast’s Tone

The visual elements of a podcast can communicate a range of tones. For example, a photograph of the host with a facial expression that implies comedic content can set the tone for a humorous podcast. Alternatively, including a chart or magnifying glass can suggest an analytical focus.

Age & Gender Of Your Listeners

The age and gender of the audience may be relevant when targeting specific demographics. For instance, more vibrant colors may be used when targeting a younger audience. Additionally, images of mothers or babies can help build a strong and lasting brand connection when focusing on a mother-led audience.

A clear and concise design that conveys the purpose and content of the podcast will help to engage potential listeners and make them more likely to tune in. A logo that is poorly designed or randomly put together may have the opposite effect, leading to confusion and ultimately preventing new listeners from engaging.

Select the Image to Include in Your Podcast Logo

Using your photos

The podcaster’s personal touch is invaluable, which is why so many podcast logos incorporate their images. This image effectively conveys the podcaster’s identity and view on life. The image can be a cartoon, photograph, emoji, or any other creative representation. And this serves to create a connection between the podcaster and their listeners.

Images related to your podcast

To draw attention to your podcast’s theme, opt for an image that is directly related to it. For example, if your podcast is about gardening, consider featuring a gardening tool or plant in the image. If your podcast is about military equipment, use a tank to set the tone. By being specific, it will help attract listeners who are passionate about the topic.

Stock images

It’s unlikely that professional graphic designers create their visuals from scratch, especially when they’re on a tight timeline. Shutterstock and Freepik both provide significant resources to help with podcast visuals. Shutterstock offers options like photos, vector images, and illustrations, while Freepik has an extensive library of free and reasonably priced digital images.

Do not overused podcasting imagery

Avoid imagery of microphones and headphones unless your podcast is about the podcast industry. Podcasting is the medium of your show, not its focus, so including headphones in your artwork is akin to featuring images of DVDs and cameras on a movie poster.

Choose The Color Schemes

When creating a logo for your podcast, you have a full range of colors to choose from. Logos can be one color, multiple shades of one color, or a combination of different hues.

Selecting One Color

Selecting a color palette goes beyond simply choosing colors that draw attention and make your logo stand out. There is a powerful correlation between colors and emotions, so this guide has been created to help you decide on logo colors that will bring out the best in your design.

• Red is a color that expresses passion, energy, love and danger.
• Blue is associated with intelligence and trustworthiness.
• Purple is a luxurious and creative hue.
• Green symbolizes money, wealth, health and nature.
• Orange represents youthfulness, enthusiasm and energy.
• Yellow is a vibrant and uplifting color.
• Brown is a warm, earthy tone, which also conveys honesty.
• Pink is a playful, romantic shade, often used to represent femininity.

Combining Colors

Consider how colors are combined to achieve visual harmony.

1. Complementary colors provide a strong contrast when used together.

2. Analogous colors create a harmonious effect by utilizing colors situated side-by-side on the color wheel.

3. Triadic colors are chosen from three equally spaced colors on the color wheel, forming an equilateral triangle. This color scheme is especially effective for creating complex logos with a distinct visual impact yet maintaining a sense of unity.

Color temperature

The color temperature of a brand can have a significant impact on its mood. The ratio of yellow to blue in color will determine its temperature – warmer or cooler.

Also consider the 60-30-10 color rule when creating a design, where the primary color should comprise 60%, the support color should be 30%, and the accent color should consist of 10%.

Use The Right Typography

The podcast’s font should capture the tone and topic of your content. Consider legible font options that offer a visual representation of your voice. Remember to test for readability when assessing potential options: how does the font appear on different devices?

Professional designers often select two or three complementary fonts for different elements. Keep in mind that style can affect legibility – the most eye-catching font for a headline may not be the best choice for a text block.

When selecting a font, consider the target audience and choose a font family that best aligns. There are 4 main font families that contain a multitude of unique fonts.

1. Popular Serif fonts such as Times New Roman and Baskerville are instantly recognizable due to their additional strokes, or “serifs.” These fonts are ideal for businesses and organizations wanting to demonstrate professionalism and age.
2. Sans-serif fonts lack extra strokes and have a more modern and straightforward look. High-tech companies like Twitter and Facebook often use this type of font, making it an appropriate choice for podcasts with a relaxed and informal tone.
3. Cursive fonts, which imitate handwriting, are the most stylish type of font but can be challenging to read for those who are not native English speakers.

Think What Shape To Use

The shape & design of a logo can project a friendly or serious demeanor – suggest a scientific or creative orientation, and reflect a traditional or modern style.

Soft, round, organic shapes

Organic, soft, and round shapes can create a more inviting and approachable atmosphere than sharper ones. These shapes are versatile, as they can evoke emotions and values while retaining a playful feel when used in a youthful context. Additionally, these same shapes have been used in badges and stamps throughout history, connoting traditional, authentic, and even vintage qualities.

Sharp and angular

Sharp and angular shapes convey power, intelligence, stability, and coolness. These shapes are characterized by their corners, which are sharp and abrupt in nature. They might be associated with values such as precision, technology, and sleekness.

Logos With vertical lines

Vertical lines are often used to symbolize steadiness, strength, and equilibrium. Their exactness gives off an impression of dependability and capability. They are routinely employed in competitive industries to represent a feeling of trustworthiness and effectiveness.

Logos With Horizontal lines

Horizontal lines are associated with peace and serenity and can create a soothing atmosphere. Additionally, horizontal lines are believed to inspire trust and can decrease any feelings of hostility that may be associated with vertical or diagonal lines.