Podcast Cover Artwork Re-design for Paul… The Other One

2 Nov

At the core of Paul Barlow’s podcast is a commitment to wry nuance. I wanted this sense to be at the centre the design process, and so, when seeking inspiration, I made sure to let this theme inform my choices of what elements to adapt and incorporate. By Paul’s own request, he was looking for something ‘modern and professional, but not stuffy’ and I think this certainly reflects the style and content of his podcast. In light of this, I leaned into a simple palette centred around a pastel blue and a vibrant orange. I think this contrast of a slightly muted, but light, colour with a lively bright tone reflects this idea of professionalism, but also a distinct undercurrent of light-heartedness.

Obviously, the podcast is named after Paul so it would be remiss to not include a shot of him in the branding. Once again, I aimed to blend this idea of a comfortable professionalism – nothing stiff, but also nothing messy. On the one hand, the chosen photo of Paul is a well framed shot in a striking pose, clearly showing a sense of confidence. On the other hand, I combined this with a comic-book style effect over top, in order to introduce a little bit of that lightness. This also ties in well with the podcast’s actual set, which includes items of pop-culture.

One of the most commendable things about Paul’s podcast is the dedication to open dialogue. The episodes do not aim to be too didactic, instead committing to this idea of open discourse. Paul’s ‘Public Gallery’segment is refreshing in the world of political podcasts, where his guests are invited to talk on various topics and set out their own opinions. To really paint this idea of active dialogue, I’ve framed the title text and slogan in speech-bubbles. This also works to enhance that feeling of lightness. Finally, I applied that same comic-book style effect to the background gradient, so that every element of the design is tied in and so gives it a very consistent feel that communicates this feel of casual professionalism.

“Bailey Rose Creative is amazing, and I am blown away by the creativity on display here. Because I could not do anything like that if I tried. So impressive!”

— Paul Barlow, Podcast Host