In 2024, podcasts have gotten closer to becoming a video-first medium. Though video podcasts have been around a relatively long time, shows from The New York Times, NPR, and many other podcast networks that have been audio-only for years have recently started adding a video component in order to gain new listenership. In fact, Spotify, a major player in podcasts, is about to begin paying podcasters to bring videos to the platform.And after years of producers trying to get audio shows to go viral on social media, podcasts are now dominating TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts after video producers realized they can just film the talent talking. Meanwhile, weekly podcasts are looking to attract younger audiences who grew up on YouTube.As a result, video producers are figuring out how to make podcasts, and audio producers are figuring out how to make videos. Ive noticed a few developing trends in this video-first podcasting format. This isnt surprising; when one producer discovers a formula that works, others are going to try it. Lets take a look at current design and tech trends and then Ill talk about what I think may develop over the next year or so.Home designMany of todays podcast studios look like living rooms and basements. This isnt a new phenomenon with talk shows, but a lot of podcasts started out in a living space, and larger media companies have adopted that aesthetic. Lamps. Fireplaces. Fake plants. Bookshelves. This environment gives a more laid back style of long-form interviewing, which is typically the vibe of most chat-style podcasts.1/5Bill Mahers basement vibe. Screenshot: YouTube / Club Random1/5Bill Mahers basement vibe. Screenshot: YouTube / Club RandomCouches and comfy chairs show up a lot on these video shows. The round table has been ditched, and leisure is key its a lot more comfortable of an environment for talking hours at a time. Both hosts and guests are often on a couch together or sitting in comfy chairs separately.1/5Just chillin on the couch. Screenshot: YouTube / Lesser Known Characters1/5Just chillin on the couch. Screenshot: YouTube / Lesser Known CharactersAnother trend Ive noticed are these wooden slats on the wall in podcast studios our own Vox Media space has gone with this design as well. These work better for sound absorption while still looking like a living space. This is already looking to be a signifier of mid-2020 video podcasts.1/7This setup covers a lot of podcast tropes but looks so comfy. Screenshot: YouTube / Two Hot Takes1/7This setup covers a lot of podcast tropes but looks so comfy. Screenshot: YouTube / Two Hot TakesWith wide-shot camera angles showcasing the entire room, there is usually something in the middle of the screen, like a TV or a giant logo of the show, to create a symmetrical studio look.Neon signs and colored lights are very trendy right now because they add a colorful glow to a more muted studio space. Lots of cursive lettering. Branding is often prioritized in video, and most producers think that means literally looking at the logo for two hours. This is also an easy way to let a TikTok scroller know what show they are watching (though this typically doesnt crop well for vertical video). 1/8The TV looks a bit crooked. Screenshot: YouTube / The Daily Beast1/8The TV looks a bit crooked. Screenshot: YouTube / The Daily BeastMore attention to techMicrophones are often placed on floor stands that extend over the couches (these articulating boom stands have been staples in recording studios for decades). As a result, the stands often appear from out of the camera frame and stick up broadly in front of guests faces awkwardly. Poles sticking out at various incongruent angles look even messier when you have multiple guests on separate chairs.1/6Lots of guests, each with their own puffy chair and mic stand. Screenshot: YouTube / Joe Budden Network1/6Lots of guests, each with their own puffy chair and mic stand. Screenshot: YouTube / Joe Budden NetworkThough new kinds of mic stands for podcasts have been introduced to the market, many shows are ditching the long, awkward boom poles in favor of havinghosts and guests hold their microphones instead. This feels a bit more authentic and intimate onscreen, and many stand-up comedians prefer this method. However, it can get a bit awkward with inexperienced guests who talk with their hands or who dont know how to hold a microphone with a narrow polar pattern.1/6You must hold this microphone for the entire show. Screenshot: YouTube / The Bald and the Beautiful1/6You must hold this microphone for the entire show. Screenshot: YouTube / The Bald and the BeautifulIt can get even worse. When podcasts are audio first but with a video component, you often see awkward practices caught on camera, like this instance where each guest is holding their phone up to their face to record their audio while looking directly at the viewer.This is a common practice for radio interviews but isnt great when video is involved.You never see people use their phones like this on a video call in real life. Screenshot: YouTube / The DailyThe Shure SM7B microphones are still really popular in this medium as well as the budget MV7 model. For the purposes of branding, cubes with the name of the show are often stuck awkwardly on the bottom of the microphone. This is reminiscent of microphone flags on newscaster stick mics, and they are now being retrofitted for these classic radio studio microphones.This is likely because its more effective branding on vertically cropped videos than a big logo on the wall in a studio. 1/6Get that logo in there! Screenshot: YouTube / Pod Save America1/6Get that logo in there! Screenshot: YouTube / Pod Save AmericaBig isolating headphones are common in radio and podcasts and are still used in a lot of video versions. But when guests are remote and are looking directly at their webcam, those large ear cups stick out very awkwardly more so than if youre looking at someones profile view.