eboy

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eBoy ("Godfathers of Pixel") is a pixel art group founded in 1998 by Steffen Sauerteig, Svend Smital, Kai Vermehr. Their complex illustrations are not just on the internet, but are used for print, and in galleries. [1] They were founded on May 2, 1997, expressing their modular and collaborative approach as something that defines eBoy as much as the use of pixels. "We started working with pixels because we loved the idea of making pictures only for the screen. It’s the best way to get really sharp and clean looking results. Also, handling pixels is fun and you are forced to simplify and abstract things, which is a big advantage of this technique." [2] Based in Berlin, eBoy's founders collaborate with Peter Stemmler in New York to produce graphic design work for companies. [3]

They express their art as an extension of their childhood. Their influences come from: "Pop culture... shopping, supermarkets, TV, toy commercials, LEGO, computer games, the news, magazines..."[4] Kai was the only one who grew up with Nintendo to inspire him, the rest of the eBoys lived in East Germany where video games didn't exist.[5] Their work makes intense use of popular culture and commercial icons, and their style is presented in three-dimensional isometric illustrations filled with robots, cars, guns and girls. Mostly their designs are printed today and not used for computer screens only any more, allowing images to get more complex with details.[6]"If we don’t work on other projects at the same time it takes about six to eight weeks to finish a very detailed cityscape, three eBoy’s working on it, nearly full time. But, if we have to do it in our spare time, which happens often, it could take years to finish a picture since we can’t spend so much time on it."[7]Their unique style has gained them a cult following among graphic designers worldwide[8], as well as a long list of commercial clients. Their latest project are our toys. Peecol with Kidrobot, and soon a new line of wooden toys are to be produced under their own label.

eBoy has worked with named brands and companies such as Coca-Cola, MTV, VH1, Adidas, and Honda. They have also worked in creating the album cover for Groove Armada's 2007 studio album Soundboy Rock.

Ecity Illustration, 1998
Ecity Illustration, 1998


[edit] External links

[edit] References

  1. ^ shane ward (june 17,2007). eboy feature @ Format Mag. Retrieved on 2008-04-28.
  2. ^ shane ward (june 17,2007). eboy feature @ Format Mag. Retrieved on 2008-04-28.
  3. ^ james peacock. eboy feature @ Knowledge Magazine Gallery. Retrieved on 2008-04-28.
  4. ^ james peacock. eboy feature @ Knowledge Magazine Gallery. Retrieved on 2008-04-28.
  5. ^ james peacock. eboy feature @ Knowledge Magazine Gallery. Retrieved on 2008-04-28.
  6. ^ shane ward (june 17,2007). eboy feature @ Format Mag. Retrieved on 2008-04-28.
  7. ^ shane ward (june 17,2007). eboy feature @ Format Mag. Retrieved on 2008-04-28.
  8. ^ shane ward (june 17,2007). eboy feature @ Format Mag. Retrieved on 2008-04-28.