# Pixel-Inspired Building Blocks The Bitblox Toy Building Blocks are Add Retro Computing to Playtime By Michael Hemsworth | Published 2012-11-22 | Life-Stages Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/toy-building-blocks References: [laughingsquid](http://laughingsquid.com/bitblox-wooden-alphabet-blocks-inspired-by-low-res-pixel-lettering/) & [glyfyx](http://www.glyfyx.com) Toy building blocks are a staple for playtime and the Bitblox set featuring pixelated characters give the classic blocks a tech-savvy boost. The [wooden blocks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/blockitecture-frank-lloyd-wright) feature the alphabet in low-res, 8-bit format in a vibrant array of contemporary colors that visually stimulate children as they play. In addition to featuring the alphabet, the Bitblox are embellished with pixelated characters that range from cute aliens to LOLing smiley faces. The blocks are designed by Glyfyx, a [mobile game company](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/codee) based out of San Francisco that created the Bitblox because of inspiration from “low-res pixel lettering seen on the computer screens and in video games of yore…” Each set includes 28 blocks and features 168 different letters, characters and symbols made from renewable wood, and printed using non-toxic inks. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 1.7/10 - Popularity: 19% | Activity: 24% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Alpha - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Life-Stages](https://www.trendhunter.com/life-stages) > [Toys](https://www.trendhunter.com/toys) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Retro-inspired Toy Blocks:** There is an opportunity to disrupt the toy industry by creating more retro-inspired building blocks like the Bitblox. - **Tech-savvy Playtime:** As technology continues to become more prevalent in our lives, there is potential to disrupt traditional toys by adding a technological twist, as seen in the Bitblox set. - **Low-res Designs:** Designs inspired by retro low-res visual aesthetics may become a popular trend in various industries, including product design and marketing. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Toy Industry:** Innovation in the toy industry should incorporate more tech-savvy designs, like pixelated characters and retro styles, as seen in the Bitblox set. - **Educational Products:** The Bitblox set creates an opportunity to disrupt educational products with a tech-savvy spin on a classic toy, offering a fresh take on early childhood education. - **Product Design:** Designs inspired by retro low-res visual aesthetics, like those seen in the Bitblox set, have the potential to shake up and influence various product designs, such as graphic design and packaging. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Big Apple Toy Blocks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/machi-town-new-york.md) - [Toy Block-Inspired Furniture](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bloc-collection.md) - [Retro Puzzle Block Computers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lego-fan-build.md) - [Brick Toy Revivals](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/game-boy-set.md) - [NFC-Enabled Building Blocks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/educational-building-blocks.md) - [Bitcoin-Compatible Pixel Characters](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pixel-characters.md) - [8-Bit Building Block Sets](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lego-super-mario-world-mario-yoshi.md) - [Towering Wooden Block Sets](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/capsule-tower.md) - [Combination Building Block Toys](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/omnicompatible-wooden-bricks.md)