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A Scalable Visual System for ESPN’s Daily Flagship Podcast

REFRAMING HOW SPORTS STORYTELLING SHOWS UP ACROSS PLATFORMS

ESPN Daily needed a visual system that matched the depth and nuance of its storytelling.

Unlike traditional sports coverage, the podcast focuses on the “why” behind the headlines, requiring a design approach that felt more editorial, more thoughtful, and less driven by surface-level highlights.

We moved away from surface-level visuals and instead focused on distilling stories down to their core ideas.

The resulting system uses bold, editorial typography and layered visual elements to reflect analysis, depth, and perspective, bringing listeners closer to the essence of each story.

The refreshed identity also introduced a more conversational visual language, aligning with how audiences engage with the podcast across digital platforms.

WHAT WE BUILT

  • Podcast visual identity system
  • Cover art framework
  • Editorial graphic language
  • Illustration and visual assets
  • Cross-platform design system

Impact

  • Established a clearer, more distinctive visual identity for ESPN Daily
  • Brought the podcast’s depth and storytelling into its visual expression
  • Built a scalable system for consistent use across platforms and channels
  • Positioned the brand alongside top-tier daily news and analysis products
  • Streamlined ongoing content creation through a flexible design framework
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CHIANG MAI, THAILAND - NOV 17 2019: Person holding a brand new Apple iPhone XS with Spotify logo on the screen. Spotify is a popular commercial music streaming service.
ESPN Daily Podcast<br>Graphics Package<span>View Graphics Package »</span>
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“I’ve worked with Barbour for 10 years and typically come to them with some sort of concept in mind. But when it came time to concept a new look for our podcast, we struggled with a visual that would reflect all the data and insights we had uncovered. We came to Barbour with our problem, and they were able to fully articulate different executions we could consider. All of the solutions were high-concept without being pretentious, unique to the space where the creative would live, while still being true to our master brand. They are great thought partners, high-quality designers and overall a pleasure to work with.”

— PATRICIA YANEZ, ESPN ORIGINAL CONTENT MARKETING

Let’s turn up the volume on how your brand shows up.