Animated Album Covers

A Canvas is a visual loop you can add to any track's Now Playing view of some DSPs. Here you can find how to do it for Spotify and Apple Music. Take into account that for Spotify, the artist should manage it directly from Spotify for Artists. On the other hand, for Apple Music, you should provide Sepulchral Silence with the corresponding information so it can be managed with the DSP.

Spotify Canvas

You can find the detailed information in the following Spotify Blog:

https://artists.spotify.com/faq/music#how-do-i-add-moving-visuals-to-my-tracks

Specs

A Canvas should be uploaded in a vertical format to completely fill a smartphone’s screen. Any audio in your file will not transfer. Remember to only use the content you own or have permission to use.

• Canvas Ratio: 9:16.
• Canvas Height: Min: 720px.
• Canvas Length: Min: 3 secs, Max: 8 secs (even 1 millisecond over 8 seconds won’t work. You can trim larger files with the mobile app).
• File Format: MP4 with h264 encoding, without audio (.mov formats don’t work).

Steps

Important: Before you post a Canvas, make sure you have all the legal rights to do so, as described in Spotify terms.

Desktop

1. Log in to Spotify for Artists.
2. Go to Music.
3. Pick a song and click ADD CANVAS.
4. Click the big + then upload your file (see specs above).
5. Listeners will start to see it within 1 hour of uploading.

To remove a Canvas:

1. Go to the song on Spotify for Artists.
2. Click VIEW CANVAS.
3. Click REMOVE CANVAS.

Mobile

1. Open and log into the Spotify for Artists mobile app.
2. Go to profile .
3. Pick a release.
4. Tap + next to a song.
5. Tap the big +.
6. Choose a file. You can trim it if needed.
7. Review it, and tap Next.
8. Tap Post Canvas.

That’s it! Listeners will start to see it within 1 hour.

To remove or replace a Canvas:

1. Go to the song on Spotify for Artists.
2. Tap next to a song.
3. Tap Edit.

Motion Art (Apple)

Where Album Motion Artwork Shows Up

Your album motion will appear on the Album Page on iPhone, iPad, and Mac, as well as on smart TVs. Motion on the album page guidelines can be found here.

Your album motion may also appear on the Listen-Now tab, which is based on a user’s music preferences. Only subtle motion is appropriate here, so if you’re planning to create an album motion that is fast and dynamic you’ll want to pay extra attention to our Listen Now Design Guidelines, and plan to deliver a separate toned-down asset for this space.

 

Artwork Specifications:

If you want to provide album motion artwork, download the templates and follow the guidelines to create your deliverables and provide them to Sepulchral Silence. Artwork must be delivered to these technical specifications. Unsolicited artwork is not accepted.

Note:Static artwork is also required. It’s used as a loading image when users have a slow connection or if the motion is turned off in their settings.

 

Template Name	File Type	Size	Resolution	Length	Device
Album Page Motion 3x4	.mov	2048x2732 pixels	72 dpi	15–35 seconds	iPhone
Album Page Static 3x4	.png	2048x2732 pixels	72 dpi	N/A	iPhone
Album Page Motion 1x1	.mov	3840x3840 pixels	72 dpi	15–35 seconds	Mac, iPad, smart TVs
Album Page Static 1x1	.png	3840x3840 pixels	72 dpi	N/A	Mac, iPad, smart TVs
Listen Now Motion 1x1(as needed)*	.mov	3840x3840 pixels	72 dpi	10–25 seconds	iPhone, Mac, iPad, smart TVs

Safe Area examples can be found here and motion asset output settings here.