It’s that time of year again – when our playlists become time capsules, our favorite tracks tell tales of the past 12 months, and Spotify Wrapped delivers the soundtrack to us. With Wrapped 2024 here, let’s take a peek behind the curtain to uncover the magic of animations that bring our musical journey to life.
Bringing Stories to Life: The Role of Animations
Wrapped is more than just stats – it’s our story, brought to life through vibrant animations. These animations add depth and personality, turning our listening data into visually engaging narratives. Over the years, Wrapped has wowed users with iconic visuals like 2020’s kaleidoscope and 2021’s ribbons, alongside interactive data-driven stories like Audio Aura in 2021 and Me in 2023.
How Wrapped Animations Work
For years, Spotify relied on natively built animations for Android and iOS. These native builds allowed them to customize visuals using listening data, like mapping genres to colors or plotting user preferences on interactive maps. Native animations excel in creating dynamic, personalized experiences that adapt to each user’s unique story.
However, as Wrapped expanded to include a web experience, Spotify teams sought a way to streamline their workflows while maintaining the same level of creativity.
Lottie: Simplifying Animation Across Platforms
Enter Lottie – Airbnb’s JSON-based animation format that enables motion designers to create high-quality animations in After Effects and deploy them seamlessly across web, iOS, and Android. By adopting a “Lottie-first” approach for generic, non-parameterized animations like brand visuals, Spotify has reduced redundancy and ensured visual consistency across platforms.
Lottie particularly shines in delivering intricate animations, from fluid morphing effects to playful transitions. Meanwhile, native builds remain essential for data visualizations that require dynamic parameterization, ensuring personalized stories are brought to life with precision.
A Perfect Blend of Art and Technology
Wrapped 2024 brings together the best of both worlds—native animations for personalized interactions and Lottie animations for visually stunning, cross-platform consistency. This harmonious approach ensures that every Wrapped moment is as immersive and delightful as possible.
So, unwrap your year and celebrate the music that made your 2024 unforgettable!