Designing Podcast Cover Art With Sharoline Galva

What factors go into creating a podcast cover art? Why is it essential for your show? How should the design be used to highlight your message? We are thrilled to have the cover art designer for our upcoming podcast in the fall on the blog to share her experience designing cover art that reflects both the target audience and the brands they represent. Sharoline Galva has numerous years of creating logos, websites, and graphic content and can take an idea and masterfully craft a vision that exceeds expectations.

Sharoline is also ready to work with new clients, bringing her designer eye and a piece of her soul to your podcast cover art. Learn more about the starting rate on our Podcast Cover Art Designers Directory.

Your Cover Art Matters with Sharoline Galva

How did you get started with designing podcast cover art?

I started at Crackers in Soup as a graphics and branding designer with the podcast management team. It wasn’t originally for cover art design. However, as we started working with clients and noticing how their cover art didn’t coincide with their branding or message, we realized there was a need for it and decided to make it an official service. It’s funny because I’d spent so many years working on logo and branding creation that my start in podcast cover art creation felt like a fun and creative outlet. It allowed me to utilize my artistic skills with my marketing and branding knowledge.

How important is podcast cover art for podcasters (why should we care)?

It is so important as it is the first thing people see featured. People should be able to either get an idea of what your podcast is about from the cover art or understand your brand. It’s your storefront image that draws people to you. Your marketing efforts will also coincide with your cover art. The repeated colors, patterns, and pictures included in the design should reflect your company and allow people to relate to you.

What things should we look for when designing podcast cover art (what trips people up)?

During the cover art design process, make sure you feel it reflects you and the target audience. You do that by understanding what message you’re trying to get across. Does your cover reflect that message? Will it resonate with your audience? Does it resonate with you? Come up with some key words to describe your podcast and see if the cover art reflects that. Just like in branding, you want to think of your brand avatar. Have a clear idea of what your “target audience” looks like, from what they like to do in their spare time to the books or tv shows they enjoy. This exercise will help you have a clearer image of the listeners you hope to attract.

What things should we avoid?

Unless your podcast is about podcasting, I often advise podcasters and individuals looking to break into the industry to avoid incorporating microphones or headphones as the focal point in their cover. Most people will already be scrolling on a podcasting platform when a particular cover design catches their eye. Books don’t use books on the front cover to help people understand what they are reading.

Also, I’d avoid long names or tag lines. Less is more when it comes to your title. Remember that people are most likely viewing this from a mobile device, and long tag lines won’t be visible on your cover art.

Any tips for finding design inspiration? 

Looking at cover arts from other podcasters can help inspire ideas. I tell people to find their favorite podcasting platform and look under the genre that their podcast would fall under to see what others are doing. Observe what is missing within all of those. Would your cover get lost among the sea of cover arts, and which elements would make yours stand out?

Pinterest is also great for inspiration on art that reflects the message you are trying to convey. Think of the vibe you want your cover to have. The internet is full of inspiration but make sure you are not copying work shared by people online. 

Check out some of our work:

How important is having your face on your podcast cover art? Is it okay if we’re not ready to do that yet?

I like to ask whether you want to be the face of your podcast. If you are adamant about being the face of your podcast because you want to be your brand, then it’s essential to include it in the cover art. Otherwise, you can focus on your message. Most people I work with believe their message is more important than having themselves be the face of their podcast.

I’ve also had others who know that they are the selling point of their brand, and their presence is an example of the message. They know they’ve worked hard towards getting an audience to know, like, and trust them. In these cases, they must be the face of the podcast to keep that message.

But also remember as much as first impressions matter, understand that we all evolve as we gain wisdom and experience. So you can always change your mind and rebrand yourself with a new cover at any point. Just make sure that this rebrand reflects seamlessly across all of your media.

Tell us about your podcast Chatting Over Chowder (what can listeners expect)?

I love the opportunity we have to connect with incredible women in all areas of the podcasting industry while we eat soup! But I love introducing the knowledge, wisdom, and power these women exude to our audience even more. You should expect some laughs, occasional soup, but so many moments of women supporting women.

Listen to the latest episode here:

How can we work with you?

I’d love to chat about your ideas for your cover art and how we can make your vision and message come to life. You can book a discovery call by going to https://crackersinsoup.com/contact-us/.

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