PODCASTING

A JOURNEY IN PODCASTING: FROM #1 CREATOR TO NETWORK DESIGNER & FOUNDER

CLIENT

PROJECT

YEAR

MY ROLE

AV Podcast & Frecuencia

An End-to-End Case Study in Building, Branding, and Scaling Podcast Experiences

2019

Podcast Creator & Host, Art Direction, Brand Strategy, Cover Art System Design, UI/UX & Web Design

OVERVIEW

This project is not just a collection of designs; it’s a multi-year journey through the heart of the podcasting world. It began with a personal passion that led to creating Zinematk, a cinema-focused podcast that became #1 in its category in Spain. This hands-on experience as a creator gave me an invaluable, ground-level understanding of what it takes to connect with an audience and build a successful show.

This success, highlighted by Apple itself featuring Zinematk in the promotional launch of the Apple Watch Series 4, evolved into a broader role. I first became the lead designer for the AV Podcast network, tasked with creating a unified visual system for their entire roster. Following that, I founded my own production house, where I now lead the end-to-end creation of new podcast brands—from concept and branding to cover art and web presence. This case study showcases that complete 360-degree journey.

CHALLENGES & APPROACH

The journey unfolded in three distinct phases, each with its own unique challenge, mirroring the evolution of my role from creator to strategic designer.

 

Phase 1: The Creator — Understanding the Listener Journey (Zinematk) The initial challenge was purely creative: how to build a podcast that could stand out and build a loyal community. This forced me to live the user journey from the inside. I wasn’t just designing an asset; I was the user, the host, and the marketer. The approach was to build a strong, authentic brand from the ground up, focusing on high-quality content and a visual identity that was bold and instantly recognizable on the Apple Podcasts platform. This phase provided me with deep empathy for the challenges and needs of podcast creators.

 

Phase 2: The System Designer — Creativity Within Constraints (AV Podcast Network) Upon joining the AV Podcast network, the challenge shifted from a single brand to an entire ecosystem. I was tasked with redesigning the cover art for all their shows. The key constraint was the network’s desire for a highly unified look, which demanded a systematic approach. The solution was to develop a flexible design system—a core visual architecture with a consistent typographic hierarchy and logo placement, but with enough adaptability in color and imagery to allow each show’s unique personality to shine through. This was an exercise in creating brand cohesion at scale.

 

Phase 3: The Founder — Building Brands from Scratch (My Own Production House) After AV Podcast dissolved, the final challenge was to build new podcast brands from zero. As the founder of my own production house, my role expanded to encompass total creative and strategic ownership. The approach is holistic: I collaborate with hosts to define their brand strategy, design their complete visual identity (logo, cover art, social media assets), and build their digital home with a custom website. This phase integrates all my skills—creator, strategist, and designer—to launch fully-formed, market-ready podcast brands.

THE RESULT & A DEFINING MOMENT

The result of this journey is a unique, 360-degree perspective on the podcasting industry. It’s a deep understanding that spans the passion of an independent creator, the strategic needs of a network, and the business acumen of a founder. This comprehensive viewpoint allows me to design solutions that are not only aesthetically excellent but also deeply empathetic to the needs of both creators and listeners.

But the most significant result—and the proudest moment of my career—was seeing this passion validated by Apple. Being chosen as the promotional image for the Podcasts app on the Apple Watch was more than a feature; it was a confirmation that the dedication to quality and user experience had resonated at the highest level.

 

The Zinematk brand, featured as the banner headliner on the Apple Podcasts storefront.

The Zinematk cover art, featured by Apple in the official marketing materials for the Apple Watch Series 4 launch.

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