# Pixellated Pop Culture Portraits Jason Pickthall's 8-Bit Pixel Art Digitally Simplifies Characters By Laura McQuarrie | Published 2013-06-03 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/8bit-pixel-art References: [inkfinitive.tumblr](http://inkfinitive.tumblr.com/post/51808841473/xombiedirge-pixel-presents-series-by-jason) & [etsy](http://www.etsy.com/shop/PixelPresents) The 8-bit pixel art by Jason Pickthall recreates iconic figures from pop culture as tiny pixel characters. His 'Pixel Presents' [Etsy](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/arcade-clock) shop sells prints from the series, including pixellated versions of the [Daft](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/daft-punk-lego-helmets) Punk duo, The Avengers, characters from Doctor Who and Star Wars. Even when they are reduced to colored squares, it is astonishing that character's identities are not lost and that so much detail is included -- everything from little buttons on C3PO, to the emblems on superhero's suits. Pickthall began creating pixellated versions of his coworkers and was then met with the demand to create portraits for friends and family. His [pixellated portraits](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/funpix-ai) make perfect gifts and social media avatars, and you can commission one of yourself at his Etsy shop. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 1.8/10 - Popularity: 24% | Activity: 23% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 70% men, 30% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) > [Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/design) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Pixel Art Simplification:** Businesses can leverage the trend of simplifying popular pop culture characters into 8-bit pixel art to create unique marketing campaigns or merchandise. - **Pop Culture Nostalgia:** Brands can tap into consumers' nostalgia and fondness for pop culture icons by incorporating 8-bit pixel art into their branding and marketing strategies. - **Personalized Gifts:** The trend of creating personalized pixel art portraits offers a disruptive innovation opportunity for businesses to create unique and personalized products that resonate with consumers. ### Where This Applies - **Entertainment:** The entertainment and gaming industries can use this trend to create merchandise or promotional material that incorporate 8-bit pixel art. - **E-commerce:** E-commerce businesses can leverage the trend of personalized pixel art portraits for gifting categories such as home decor or fashion accessories. - **Social Media:** This trend provides opportunities for social media platforms and content creators to incorporate pixel art into their posts, creating unique and engaging content for their audiences. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Collectible Historical Figurines](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/thrilljoy-pix.md) - [Image Pixel Converters](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/picture-to-pixel-art.md) - [Pixelated Streaming Series Artwork](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/stranger-things-litebrite-deluxe-wall-art.md) - [Retro Image Converters](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/image-to-pixel-art.md) - [Pixel Art Creators](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pixelart-lab.md) - [Colorful Retro Pixel Mirrors](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/paint-mirror.md) - [Nostalgic 3D-Printed Arcade Clocks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/arcade-clock.md) - [NFT Artwork Printers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pixels.md) - [Sci-Fi-Inspired Classical Posters](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sen-donnan.md)