We're excited to introduce eBoy, the pixel art virtuosos and esteemed judges for the Pixel Pallette Prize. eBoy, a collective brainchild of Kai Vermehr, Steffen Sauerteig, and Svend Smital, was born in 1997. It formed from a desire to have fun with the burgeoning digital tools and media, crafting directly for the screen and forging a path into the realm of pixel art.
eBoy's iconic work, their intricate cityscapes - or "Pixoramas" - have earned them global acclaim. From the vibrance of Tokyo to the historic charm of Paris, the lively spirit of Rio to the gritty allure of Berlin, the bustling life of London to the cultural melting pot of San Francisco, eBoy has pixelated them all. A testament to their unwavering commitment to detail and quality, these Pixoramas take between six to eight weeks to create.
Their work extends beyond these cityscapes. They've been sought after by leading brands such as Adidas, Balenciaga, Coca Cola, DKNY, Google, Gucci, and more. Their collaboration with Groove Armada on the 2007 studio album "Soundboy Rock" cover marked their foray into the music industry. They've exhibited globally, shared their insights at various events, and continue to influence the digital art scene.
Now, let's get to know the trio behind eBoy:
Kai Vermehr: Born in Caracas, Venezuela, Kai moved between Frankfurt and Guatemala before studying Communication Design in Essen. He later moved to Berlin, then Vancouver, and currently resides in Los Angeles.
Steffen Sauerteig: Starting as an electrician and set builder for East German television, Steffen studied Visual Communication in Berlin before moving to Vancouver and later returning to Berlin.
Svend Smital: A bricklayer-turned-designer, Svend graduated from the Berlin Academy of Art and has since worked as a freelance designer.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given?
eBoy: Get rid of things you don’t need anymore. There’s a real cost associated with keeping them around.
What piece of advice could you give artists submitting to your category?
eBoy: Don’t be tribal, stay open minded. Keep at it! :)
Having eBoy as judges for the Pixel Art Prize brings a depth of experience and innovative vision to the Meta Morph Award. Their passion for pixel art and commitment to excellence align perfectly with the spirit of the award. Stay tuned as we dive deeper into the pixel universe with eBoy!