Use case
Create podcast cover art and episode clips with AI
A podcast lives in a grid of tiny squares, so its cover has to be recognisable at thumbnail size. Beyond the cover, audio shows get discovered through short video clips on social platforms, and those need visuals too. Generation covers both: a distinctive identity once, then a steady supply of episode artwork and looping backgrounds.
Why this approach works
- Cover art is a single strong image with few elements, an ideal prompt-to-image task.
- A shared style block makes every episode graphic feel like part of one show without hiring a designer each week.
- Animated backgrounds under a waveform or captions make audiograms that perform far better than a static card.
Step-by-step workflow
- 1
Define the show identity
Choose one symbol, two colours and a mood that fits the topic. A true-crime show and a comedy show should look nothing alike, even at 100 pixels.
- 2
Generate cover options
Create six to eight square covers. Reject anything with small details, since they vanish in the feed. Keep room for the show title, which you add in a design tool.
- 3
Test at thumbnail size
Shrink the finalists to 150 pixels and compare them next to real shows in your category. The one that still reads clearly wins.
- 4
Create episode artwork
For each episode, reuse the style block with a new subject tied to the topic or guest theme, and add the title in your template.
- 5
Animate a looping background
Turn the artwork into a short, slow loop and place a waveform and captions on top in your editor. Export a vertical clip of 30 to 60 seconds for each episode highlight.
Recommended models
| Model | Role | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| SeedDream v4.5 | Bold, graphic cover art with strong colour. | 1 / image |
| Nano Banana 2 | Quick episode artwork in the same style. | 3 / image |
| LTX 2.3 Pro | Low-cost looping backgrounds for audiograms. | 13 / clip |
| Seedance 2.0 Fast I2V | Animate the artwork itself with gentle motion. | 37 / clip |
Example prompts
Square cover art: a large glowing crescent moon made of fine line illustration over a deep navy sky, one small telescope silhouette at the bottom, limited palette of navy, cream and warm orange, bold simple shapes, readable at small size, empty band at the top for a title.
Square illustration in the same line-art style, navy, cream and orange palette: a glowing jellyfish drifting in a dark ocean, bold simple shapes, empty band at the top for the episode title.
Slow gentle motion of glowing particles drifting through a dark navy space, warm orange highlights, soft focus, vertical framing, smooth and calm, no text, no people.
What a show and an episode cost
The first row is the one-time cover work. The others are per episode: one artwork and two looping backgrounds.
| Item | Model | Qty | Credits each | Subtotal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cover options (one time) | SeedDream v4.5 | 8 | 1 | 8 |
| Episode artwork | Nano Banana 2 | 2 | 3 | 6 |
| Looping backgrounds | LTX 2.3 Pro (5 s) | 2 | 13 | 26 |
| Total per show setup plus one episode | 40 credits |
| Plan | Allowance | Per show setup plus one episode | Of monthly credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starter (€15) | 100 credits | €6.00 | 40% |
| Pro (€35) | 300 credits | €4.67 | 13% |
| Business (€89) | 900 credits | €3.96 | 4% |
After the first episode the recurring cost is small, because the identity is reused. Price your own mix with the video cost calculator.
Frequently asked questions
What size is podcast cover art?
- Directories generally want a square image, commonly 3000 by 3000 pixels. Generate a square and upscale or recreate at the size your directory requires.
Should the cover include the title text?
- Yes, but add it in a design tool. Large, simple lettering stays legible when the cover is tiny, and you avoid spelling errors from generation.
Can I animate my own audio with this?
- Generated clips are silent backgrounds. Add your audio, waveform and captions in your editor to create the final audiogram.
Related use cases
- Music video visualizersTurn a track into looping, mood-driven visuals for Spotify canvases, Shorts and full-length videos.
- YouTube thumbnailsDesign high-contrast thumbnails that earn the click, with testable variants for every video.
- Course and ebook visualsCreate covers, lesson illustrations and promo clips for online courses, ebooks and digital products.
Start your Podcast covers and video clips workflow
Subscribe, open the studio and run the first step of this workflow with the recommended model.
Start creatingA subscription is required before generating. Plans from €15/month, cancel anytime.