The Pixel Artist

@judebuffum
34 Followers
19 Following
111 Posts
The Pixel Artist is the Philadelphia-based illustration studio of Jude Buffum, specializing in custom pixel art, 8-bit typography, and retro-inspired illustration.
For over 20 years, Jude has created distinctive, AI-free #pixelart for clients including Disney, Target, Hasbro, Sony, and BMW. From game sprites and animated assets to editorial and advertising campaigns, Jude's work has received dozens of awards and has been exhibited internationally.
Do you ever feel like your mind is a little "monster" that you just can't tame? I've found that by sitting and meditating every day, and doing yoga every Monday, I've learned to make peace with my mind.
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This is a pixel art illustration of a Slime Monster doing Fish Pose, from my Mindful Monsters series.
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As an illustrator who does 8-bit art, I find something very meditative about placing each pixel one at a time.
#mindfulmonday #monstermonday #pixelart
Pixel Art as Metaphor: Graduation as Leveling Up
Most video games are built around progression. One of the most common mechanics is earning experience points to advance to the next level. β€œLevel up” has become such a widely understood phrase that it translates easily across industries, as seen in this graduation-themed gift card for Target.
#pixelart #pixelartist #8bitart #packagingdesign #retaildesign 
#brandillustration #giftcard #productdesign #artdirection #commercialart
Video games introduced visual concepts that didn't exist before gaming. 
Pixel art illustration can translate those conventions into clever metaphors.
#pixelart #pixelartist #8bitart #advertisingart #sportsmarketing
#conceptualillustration #brandillustration #artdirection #fitnessbranding #commercialart
Pixel Art as Metaphor: Daily Obstacles as Platformer Enemies
This advertising campaign for Brooks Running uses the structure of a classic vertical platformer to turn daily responsibilities into obstacles standing between the runner and their goals, the final boss being time itself. Power ups come in the form of bananas, with the latest Brooks running shoe being your path to achievement.
Happy MAR10 Day πŸ„ The original Mushroom Kingdom, reimagined inside a pixel art terrarium, complete with piranha plant, fire flower, and a Super Mario mushroom. #pixelart #pixelartist #8bitart #MAR10Day #conceptualillustration
Happy MAR10 Day 🍣 Cheep Cheep and Blooper, reimagined as Mario's favorite sushi. Pixel art diagrams of two of the Mushroom Kingdom's most delicious aquatic residents. #pixelart #pixelartist #MarioDay #infographic #conceptualillustration
Happy MAR10 Day πŸ„ Wish you were here! Greetings from Subcon, a pixel art postcard from the dream world of Super Mario Bros 2, where dreams do come true... #pixelart #pixelartist #8bitart #typographytuesday #MAR10Day
Happy MAR10 Day! πŸ„ Super Amaro Bros, a pixel art cocktail very popular in the Mushroom Kingdom. An 8-bit illustration from my Pixology collection. #pixelart #pixelartist #8bitart #cocktailart #conceptualillustration
Comment "recipe" if you want me to send you the specs!
Do you ever feel like your mind is a little "monster" that you just can't tame? I've found that by sitting and meditating every day, and doing yoga every Monday, I've learned to make peace with my mind.
πŸͺ·
This is a pixel art illustration of a Minotaur doing Side Plank Pose, from my Mindful Monsters series.
πŸͺ·
As an illustrator who does 8-bit art, I find something very meditative about placing each pixel one at a time.
#mindfulmonday #monstermonday #pixelart
Closing out our Women's Day series 🌺 Josephine Wolff, cybersecurity policy expert, Tufts professor, and author exploring why data breaches keep happening. #pixelart #pixelartist #portraitillustration #IWD2026 #pixelportrait