Podcast Logo Project
Client: Dr. Heidi Brooks’ new podcast with Yale School of Management
Illustration, Branding, Collaboration with another Designer
In collaboration with: Dave McClinton
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Client: Dr. Heidi Brooks’ new podcast with Yale School of Management
Illustration, Branding, Collaboration with another Designer
In collaboration with: Dave McClinton
Dr. Heidi Brooks is a Yale professor and senior lecturer.
What did she need?
A logo for her new podcast, sponsored by Yale.
Why did she need it?
She needed a logo that conveyed her new podcast’s goals.
Wanting to differentiate herself from other professors, Dr. Brooks is a unique one, wanting folks from all walks of life to feel comfortable listening to her podcast and cultivating community. She needed to convey credibility, a comfortable learning space as a podcast, and stand out in the educational and inspirational podcast space.
To shape Dr. Brooks’ podcast identity, I explored her position within the edu-tainment space—where many competitors lean bold and high-energy—and uncovered her desire for something more grounded and inclusive. The resulting logo balances calm, warmth, and community, reflecting a podcast designed for learners of all backgrounds.
Drawing from her previous nature-inspired brand, the visual direction reinforces core values of empowerment, curiosity, authenticity, and continuous growth. At its heart, the brand fosters open-minded learning and a sense of shared journey among its audience.
Design a logo system that feels warm, calm, and community-driven. Use nature-inspired elements—drawing from water, ripples, and movement—to reflect shared learning and connection, while nodding to Dr. Brooks’ previous brand. Retain select legacy colors for familiarity, and ensure the final mark is simple, distinctive, and easy to recognize in crowded, mobile-first podcast listings.
The client felt heard since we both listened intently to the keywords and the vibe of her new podcast. She loved the new logos and chose one of the icons I created!
Dr. Brooks’ podcast is now on a second season, and has a 4.8/5 star reviews on Apple Podcast and 5/5 stars on Spotify!
I create repeating “tiles” from the ripple icon. These will become a repeating pattern, a graphic element or banner, or a single abstract icon for the client’s use!