Transforming everyone’s phones into a vibrant virtual hub of joyous celebration, Snapchat is revolutionizing the way we honor Diwali this year by introducing three innovative AR lenses – ‘Diwali Game Lens,’ ‘Light A Diya Lens,’ and ‘Light the Sky Up Lens.’
With Snapchat users in India engaging with AR Lenses over 50 billion times every month, and over 85% leveraging these Lenses to artistically express themselves during festive occasions, Snapchat consistently embraces significant cultural moments. It does so by crafting festive traditions that are both immersive and highly shareable through the dynamic medium of AR technology.
The ‘Diwali Game Lens’ presents an exciting and interactive game where users can trace delightful Diwali-themed items such as rockets, lanterns, atom bombs, and sparkles on their screens to collect. Crafted by the talented creator Krunal MB Gediya, this engaging challenge invites users to gather as many festive items as they can within a thrilling 30-second timeframe. Notably, this lens introduces a competitive leaderboard feature, enabling Snapchatters to not just play but also compete with friends while sharing their scores with one another.
‘Light A Diya Lens’ offers a simple yet profoundly heartwarming method to ignite the festive spirit. With a single tap, users can bring a virtual diya to life, instantly brightening their screen and creating the quintessential Diwali ambiance. The enchanting feature reveals the number of people who have lit the diya before them, allowing each user to feel connected to an expanding chain of shared joy. Whether you’re Snap #100000 or #500000, every tap contributes to this collective celebration.
The ‘Light the Sky Up Lens’ creates a breathtaking display above you, lighting up the surroundings with vibrant rockets and a spectrum of colors, effectively transforming the night sky into a lively canvas of celebration. Developed by Kupa Creative, this remarkable lens enables Snapchatters to witness the magic of Diwali unfolding right overhead, providing a captivating experience anywhere, anytime!
Given the enthusiastic response from Snapchatters towards celebrating cultural moments using AR, these localized lens experiences turn every festival into an exciting and immersive affair. Snapchat is further solidifying its status as the go-to platform for visually celebrating India’s most beloved festivities.
So, prepare to illuminate your Diwali in unprecedented ways and radiate the festive joy with your friends and family!
**Interview with Snapchat’s AR Product Manager, Priya Malhotra, on Diwali Innovations**
**Editor:** Welcome, Priya! It’s exciting to see Snapchat stepping up its game for Diwali this year. Can you tell us what inspired the creation of these new AR lenses?
**Priya Malhotra:** Thank you for having me! Our team is always looking for ways to enhance the user experience, especially during festivals as vibrant and significant as Diwali. The inspiration behind our AR lenses stems from our mission to foster creativity and connection. We wanted to give users a fun way to celebrate and express their joy during this auspicious time.
**Editor:** That’s wonderful! Let’s dive into the specifics. Can you explain how the ‘Diwali Game Lens’ works?
**Priya Malhotra:** Absolutely! The ‘Diwali Game Lens’ is an interactive experience where users can trace and collect different delightful Diwali-themed items on their screens. As they play, they’ll see rockets, lanterns, and other festive symbols come to life. It’s designed to be not only engaging but also a way for users to share their celebration with friends and family via snaps and stories.
**Editor:** Sounds like a lot of fun! And what about the other two lenses, ‘Light A Diya’ and ‘Light the Sky Up’? What can users expect from them?
**Priya Malhotra:** The ‘Light A Diya Lens’ allows users to virtually light a diya, symbolizing the triumph of light over darkness. It’s a beautiful way to connect with the tradition of lighting lamps during Diwali. On the other hand, the ‘Light the Sky Up Lens’ lets users experience a stunning fireworks display right in their space, bringing that festive feeling directly into their world. Both lenses create an immersive atmosphere that enhances celebration!
**Editor:** It’s clear Snapchat is deeply connected to cultural moments in India. How has the response been so far from users?
**Priya Malhotra:** The response has been overwhelmingly positive! Our users in India engage with AR lenses over 50 billion times each month, and during festive occasions like Diwali, we’ve seen a significant spike in usage. Over 85% of our users express themselves creatively through these lenses, which shows just how much they resonate with our efforts to make cultural celebrations more interactive.
**Editor:** That’s impressive! Lastly, what impact do you hope these AR lenses have on the way people celebrate Diwali?
**Priya Malhotra:** We hope that by introducing these AR lenses, we’re not just providing a tool for entertainment but also fostering a sense of togetherness and joy. Celebrating Diwali is about community, family, and sharing moments, and we want to make those moments more vibrant and memorable through our technology.
**Editor:** Priya, thank you for sharing these insights! It sounds like Snapchat is set to bring a new dimension to Diwali celebrations this year.
**Priya Malhotra:** Thank you! We can’t wait to see how everyone uses these lenses to celebrate and connect with their loved ones. Happy Diwali in advance!
Lebration and connection among friends and family.
**Editor:** It really brings the festival to life! How have Snapchat users responded so far to these AR lenses during previous festivals?
**Priya Malhotra:** The response has been overwhelmingly positive! Users in India engage with our AR lenses over 50 billion times a month. They love using these lenses to express their creativity and share their festive moments. Our aim is to not just be a platform for communication, but also one that allows for rich cultural expression during such important occasions.
**Editor:** It sounds like these new lenses will elevate the Diwali experience even more. Are there any specific features that you think users will find particularly exciting?
**Priya Malhotra:** Definitely! One of the standout features in the ‘Diwali Game Lens’ is the competitive leaderboard. Users can challenge their friends, fostering a spirit of friendly competition while celebrating. Additionally, the ‘Light A Diya Lens’ connects users through the number of people who have lit a diya before them, creating a sense of community. These elements encourage interaction and social sharing, which is what makes the experience special.
**Editor:** That’s fantastic! Lastly, what message do you hope to convey to Snapchat users as they celebrate Diwali with these innovative tools?
**Priya Malhotra:** Our message is simple – embrace the joy of togetherness and creativity this Diwali. We hope these AR lenses help people connect with their cultural traditions in a fun, immersive way, allowing them to spread joy and celebrate with loved ones, no matter where they are. Happy Diwali to everyone!
**Editor:** Thank you, Priya! We look forward to seeing how everyone lights up their Diwali with Snapchat this year!
