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Pixel Loader Lab

A small creative coding sandbox for turning an app icon into a pixelated animated loader, with a live preview and optimised GIF export.

Sole developer · February 2026View on GitHub (opens in a new tab)
Pixel Loader Lab
Original solid pixel loader animationOriginal bordered pixel loader animation
In practice

What it does

  1. Builds a pixelated loader from a source app icon
  2. Provides a browser preview for iterating on the animation
  3. Exports optimised GIFs for use in other apps
  4. Reports image dimensions and file sizes
Behind the work

The challenge

Keeping the source icon recognisable through pixelation and animation, while balancing crisp rendering with a compact exported file.

What I learned

It is fun creating loading animations and animated logos. There is a lot of room for character in a small visual detail, and experimenting with movement can be rewarding in its own right. This was a reminder to leave space for playful projects alongside the more practical ones.

Built with

  • JavaScript
  • CSS
  • Vite
  • Node.js
  • ffmpeg
  • gifsicle