This page features a collection of articles and essays by pixel artist Jude Buffum, an award-winning illustrator and designer with more than 20 years of professional experience in commercial art and design. As part of the first generation raised on 8-bit video games, Jude explores pixel art as both a craft and a cultural language.
Topics range from pixel art history and critique to practical tutorials, art direction insights, and guidance for brands and creative directors looking to hire a pixel artist. Each article is grounded in real-world experience across games, advertising, branding, and editorial illustration, with the goal of helping readers better understand the pixel art medium and its cultural relevance.
Pixel Art Articles and Essays by Jude Buffum
The Best Pixel Art Logos of All Time (and what I’d do to make them even better)
Pixel art logos were drawn small but had to act big. Hardware limits forced them into tight grids and limited palettes, but they were expected to roar onto the screen with the magnificence of a Hollywood blockbuster.
Top Ten Things New Pixel Artists Should Know
If you're new to the medium, here are ten things that can help you build a strong foundation and develop your own style without picking up a ton of bad habits along the way.
The Best Pixel Art of All Time
I’ve loved pixel art ever since I put my first quarter into the Donkey Kong arcade machine. In this chronological journey, I’ll guide you through what I believe are the ten most important games in the evolution of pixel art.