With this feature, both Free and Premium users can use unique images, colours, text effects, graphics and more, to personalise their music playlists

New year, new you right? Vision boards are out, new goals are being set and you definitely need a new playlist that screams ‘main character energy’. But what’s a hot playlist without some striking cover art to compliment it?

Artworks let you communicate your vision without saying a word. Recognising its creative potential, Spotify is excited to introduce a new playlist cover art feature to the platform so that users can flex their creativity. With this feature, Free and Premium users can personalise their music playlists more than ever before by using unique images, colours, text effects, graphics, and more.

On Wednesday, 29th January, at The Waterside in Lekki, Spotify users, media, and influencers in Lagos experienced this feature firsthand at a soiree hosted by popular host and podcaster, Taymesan. While some guests connected over their shared love for storytelling and music by snapping away at the custom life-sized photo booths, others became friends by creating cover art for their playlists to stay connected. 

The event was filled with laughter, dancing, refreshments and the joy of new connections. 

Spotify's Head of Communications and PR in Sub-Saharan Africa, Miche Atagana, thinks of cover art as more than just an image. “This feature is another fun way we are celebrating users; giving them more creative freedom over their playlist aesthetic, making their soundtracks feel authentic to their lives,” she says.

Playlists are how Spotify users tell their story and all the emotions they feel, and with over 8 billion playlists now live on the platform, each of these can now be more personalised than before.

To access it, all users have to do is open the Create Cover Art tool from the Spotify mobile app and select an existing playlist or, to create a new one, tap the context menu. From there, they can start to play around with features that allow them to add text, choose images and create some design elements. Once they’re done, they’ll save it and share with the world.

How do I create cover art on Spotify?

All you need is a mobile device to use this feature. Whether you’re on iOS or Android, head to your Spotify mobile app (make sure it’s up to date) and select a playlist that you created or create a new one.

• Tap the three-dot menu on the playlist page and then select “Create cover art” within the menu options.

• From there, you can upload an original photo of your own and add or update a variety of elements, including:

  • Text styles, colours, and effects featuring our custom typeface, Spotify Mix.

  • Background colours and gradients.

  • Image masking and visual effects.

• Once complete, your playlist will be updated with your new cover art and you can share your creation directly with friends or on social media.