Creating cover art for your podcast
Your podcast’s cover art is a chance to make a great first impression, and stand out from the crowd on platforms like Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Soundcloud and Amazon.
Our templates below make it easy to create your own UCL-branded cover art, so that it meets the following guidelines:
- It must be a square image with a size of 3000 x 3000 pixels.
- It should be clear, bold, and legible on mobile devices. Avoid excessive text.
- It must feature our main logo, not a faculty or department logo, or the UCL200 logo.
Note: our templates are for show cover art only. If you want to create cover art for individual episodes, follow the relevant guidelines on the Apple Podcasts website or the Spotify for Creators site.
Download template
Create your own UCL-branded cover art by replacing the background image and adding your podcast title. Available as PSD files in seven different layouts.
Find a designer
If you want a design that's more bespoke, contact the Educational Media Design team or search UCL's list of approved designers. [Requires a staff login.]
More visual guidelines
Logo guidelines
Podcasts should only use the main UCL logo. They should not use our bicentenary logo, or the logo of a specific department or faculty.
Other brand guidelines
You may also find useful our guidelines on using photography, our brand font UCL Sans, and our graphic pillars.
Audio branding
Podcasts should sound as well as look consistent and professional. When writing your script, keep our brand messaging and writing guidelines below in mind.
Our brand themes
These six topics define us, from our founding to the present day. Use them to ground your script in what matters most.
Our brand narrative
This articulates what makes UCL so distinctive. Use it as a touchstone to keep your script and podcast on track.
Our brand voice
These four personality traits should shape the way your script sounds, its tone of voice, and how your presenters speak to your audience.
Introducing your podcast
Your script’s intro should be short (under 30 seconds) and include a consistent jingle or theme music. It should clearly state the podcast name and its affiliation with UCL.
For example:
Welcome to [Podcast Name], a podcast from [Department Name] at University College London.
The host and episode topic can also be introduced here.
Ending your podcast
Your script’s outro should also be short and contain a consistent call to action (CTA). This could be to thank the listener, encourage them to subscribe or leave a review, and direct them to the UCL website or a specific department page for more information.
You may also need
Podcasting at UCL
Find out how to produce, record, and publish a UCL podcast. [Internal staff only.]
More guides to using our brand
Videos and filming
Video is a great way to connect with your audience and tell our UCL story.
Social media
Social media is an exciting opportunity to reach a wide range of audiences and welcome their different perspectives. Here’s how to represent UCL in an engaging and consistent way.
Merchandise
No brand would be complete without merch. You can now buy UCL200 merchandise or order customised merchandise via the Students' Union.