The theme of this year's event is "Bit Flowers", the "flowers" that bloom in Shibuya. Since the late 1990s, Shibuya has been called "Bit Valley," and the Shibuya River and Udagawa River, which are now hidden in culverts, flow at the bottom of the valley. The Kawakotsu River, a tributary of the river, was the setting for the children's song “Spring Brook,” and it was a peaceful landscape. In this contest, we will bring together flowers drawn by pixel artists from around the world here in Shibuya to revive the rural landscape of the past.
Flowers have been the subject of many artists' paintings, including the impressionist painters. They have also appeared as characters with various personalities in video games that are considered masterpieces. While flowers have a universal value that transcends time, they appear in various scenes of our lives and express complex emotions that cannot be put into words. The changes in flowers that “bloom and wither” give a special meaning to our world and to living (and even dying). In doing so, we may have the opportunity to look at life and pray for comfort and peace.
This year's contest, restarted for the first time in a year, will ask applicants to create works based on a single theme: flowers, unlike previous contests where multiple themes were given. Additionally, as a pixel art contest, we have set some restrictions such as the work must be digital and the canvas size of the work must be 512 x 512 pixels or less. Accordingly, when applying, in addition to the specified hashtag, the "work title" and "canvas size" are required.
Under these conditions, we hope to collect a wide variety of flowers drawn by each of you in Shibuya, celebrate each individual's work, and deliver a variety of flowers to every corner of the world.
Now, show off your flower drawings with #shibuyapixelart2024 and deliver flowers to the world.
Shibuya Pixel Art Committee
Special Judge
Kazuko Shibuya
Many flowers blooming in Shibuya. I'm looking forward to seeing what kind of flowers will bloom.
Art Director, SQUARE ENIX Co.,Ltd.
A graphic designer, who has worked on pixel art characters and designs for the "Final Fantasy" and "Romancing Sa Ga" series and was in charge of the opening scene of FF1 that are still impressively engraved in the player's memory, keeps attracting fans as a "master of dots.” In recent years, she has remastered all the main characters in the "FINAL FANTASY Pixel Remaster" series.
eBoy（Kai, Steffen and Svend）
Looking forward to see this year’s contributions! Good luck everyone! :)
Artist / Pixel Art Group
eBoy, the “Godfathers of Pixel”, is an art group based in Los Angeles and Berlin. It was founded in 1997 by Kai Vermehr, Steffen Sauerteig and Svend Smital. eBoy is widely regarded as one of the pioneers of pixel art.
Nobuhiro Imagawa
I look forward to seeing your wonderful pixel art!
Illustrator/Art Director
Participated in game development since the Super NES era. In charge of art direction for MOTHER 3, he was involved in character design and background design. Currently, he works in game production, character design, goods design, card illustration, etc. as a freelancer.
Ou Sugiyama
In today's world where everything is becoming more complex, pixel art's expressive method that approaches the essence of things attracts many people. The art of subtraction in it is also connected to Japanese tradition. The significance of this exhibition continuing to be held in Shibuya, a singular point where all modern culture intersects, is also important in the history of art and culture. We hope that it will continue to expand as a venue for the presentation of talent that symbolizes the modern era and is active across generations.
ART+TECH Producer
Born into a cultural family whose grandfather was Japanese painter Yasushi Sugiyama and architect Yoshiro Taniguchi, and whose uncle was Yukio Mishima. In 2018, served as the director of "MORI Building DIGITAL ART MUSEUM: EPSON teamLab Borderless", and in 2023, became the facility manager of Toranomon Hills "TOKYO NODE", holding a series of experiential exhibitions to commemorate the opening of Rhizomatiks x ELEVENPLAY and Mika Ninagawa. Independent in June 2024. Currently, is producing experiences and facilities that combine art and technology, including the planning director for the 2025 Osaka/Kansai Expo's Signature Pavilion "Witness of Life" and the exhibition director for the 2027 Yokohama International Horticultural Exhibition Theme Business Center.
Yuki Nanami
I'm really looking forward to being able to participate as a judge in the pixel art contest this year, which I've longed for since I started doing pixel art! I look forward to seeing your various works!
Pixel Artist
In 2019, started using the pixel art creation app dotpict and entered the world of pixel art. Mainly depicts girls and landscapes, and is good at a style that has a somewhat nostalgic feel, as if it were a slice of everyday life. Has also produced many video works such as music videos using loop animation. Also sell apparel products and goods in collaboration with companies.
Moto Sakaguchi
I'm really happy to be able to hold the pixel art contest, which was postponed last year, for the first time in a year. I hope that this contest will allow everyone, whether they have participated in the contest before or are participating for the first time, to experience the richness of this community through pixel art.
Chairman of Shibuya Pixel Art Committee /Representative of thePIXEL,Inc.
Moved to the United States at the age of 18, majored in art at university, and worked as a spatial artist. After returning to Japan, engaged in corporate marketing and promotional activities at an creative firm. Fascinated by pixel art that developed from gaming culture, launched "SHIBUYA PIXEL ART" in Shibuya in 2017. He calls pixel art "modern ukiyo-e," and his life's work is discovering, nurturing, and supporting artists.
*The judges may be changed or increased.
Schedule
First screening
Thursday, August 8, 2024 to Sunday, August 18, 2024
Award nomination exhibition
Scheduled for late September 2024
*Works that pass the first screening will be nominated and exhibited at a certain location in Shibuya. *We will contact those nominated in advance.
Final judging & award ceremony
Scheduled for Sunday, September 29, 2024.
Prize
After a final round of evaluation by the judges, prizes will be awarded based on originality, sociality and story-telling capability.
*The award-nominated works will be exhibited at a certain location in Shibuya in late September 2024. *Each award will be announced at the awards ceremony on Sunday, September 29, 2024.
Grand Prize
Prize money of 300,000 yen / Wacom One 13 Touch / Interview article published in "thePIXEL Magazine" / Published in "Shibuya Pixel Art Collection Book 2024" / Trophy
*If it is not possible to select one person for the grand prize, multiple people may be selected. In that case, the prize money will be divided among the number of winners. Each winner will receive one additional prize.
* The details of Judge’s Award will be announced at a later date. * One applicant may win multiple Judge’s Award. In this case, the winner will receive only one of the same items.
Audience Award (1 person)
Prize money of 30,000 yen / Published in "Shibuya Pixel Art Collection Book 2024"
*Audience Award will be awarded to works posted on X (formerly Twitter). *Awarded to the work supported by the most retweets as of 24:00 on September 28, 2024. *If you win multiple awards, only one duplicate prize will be awarded.
Special Award
“Hotel Anteroom Kyoto Special Collaboration” Special Award
Collaboration rights with Pixel Art Room
Pixel Art Room, a concept room created by five pixel artists: hako Seikatsu, m7kenji, Hermippe, Motocross Saito, and nakajima, will open at , located on the south side of Kyoto Station, from June 2024. The 2025 "New Pixel Art Room" will feature guest room exhibitions of artists who are challenging new possibilities of pixel art with their cross-genre expressions and unique personalities, such as game creators, videographers, designers, and musicians. We will give you the right to participate.
“Ginza Miyake Shrine” Special Award
Provides an opportunity to display works at Ginza Miyakenomiya Pixel Art Gallery
Ginza Miyake Shrine was founded by Dr. Copa, a feng shui guru, architect, and priest, along with Miyake no Omikami, the god of feng shui. The shrine was relocated to Ginza and established in March 2021, welcoming the gods such as “Sarutahiko Omikami” and “Sarume no Mikoto”, the god of entertainment and talent. It is a shrine. Here at Ginza Miyake Shrine, we are introducing many "pixel art" works such as EXCALIBER and Giselle Aika Bauer, with the theme of "pixels of light".
Limited Pixel Art Award
*If you are applying for the Limited Pixel Art Award, please be sure to specify the canvas size: 16 x 16, 32 x 32, or 64 x 64. If the canvas size is not specified, the work will not be eligible for the award.
Limited Pixel Art Award (16×16) (1 person)
Awarded to the most artistic work with a limited number of colors of 16 x 16 pixels (The work should be created in 16 x 16 pixels, and please enlarge it to a size that is easy to see, when posting the image.) Prize: 1 year free dotpict premium membership / Award information posted at the top of the dotpict app
*If you are already a premium member, you will receive an Amazon gift certificate for one year of premium membership.
Limited Pixel Art Award (32×32) (1 person)
Awarded to the most artistic work with a limited number of colors (32 x 32 pixels) (The work should be created in 32 x 32 pixels, and please enlarge it to a size that is easy to see, when posting the image.) Prize: 1 year free dotpict premium membership / Award information posted at the top of the dotpict app
*If you are already a premium member, you will receive an Amazon gift certificate for one year of premium membership.
Limited Pixel Art Award (64×64) (1 person)
Awarded to the most artistic work using 64×64 pixels and limited colors. (The work should be created in 64 x 64 pixels, and please enlarge it to a size that is easy to see, when posting the image.) Prize: 1 year free dotpict premium membership / Award information posted at the top of the dotpict app
※すでにプレミアム会員の方はプレミアム会員1年分のAmazonギフト券を贈呈
Application requirements
This year's theme is "Flowers" and you can express your own unique pixel art. During the application period, follow the official "Shibuya Pixel Art" account on X (formerly Twitter) or Instagram, and share your digital works such as illustrations, games, videos, games, sculptures, photographs, etc. with the hash "#shibuyapixelart2024" Add the "work title" and "canvas size" to the tags and post.
Application period
Saturday, June 1, 2024 0:00 to Wednesday, July 31, 2024 24:00 Japan time *Schedule is subject to change.
First screening
Thursday, August 8, 2024 – Sunday, August 18, 2024 →
Award-nominated exhibition
Scheduled for late September 2024 *Those who have been nominated for the exhibition will be contacted in advance. →
Final Judge & Awards Ceremony
Scheduled to be held on Sunday, September 29, 2024 *Each award will be announced at the award ceremony.
Conditions
Applicants may enter the contest regardless of nationality, age, gender, profession or organization.
How to apply
During the period, follow the official "Shibuya Pixel Art" account on X (formerly Twitter) or Instagram and post your work with the hashtag "#shibuyapixelart2024", "work title", and "canvas size".
Application conditions
・It must be a digital work ・The work must have a canvas size of 512 x 512 px or less. ・Following the Shibuya Pixel Art" official X (formerly Twitter) or Instagram account ・The hashtag “#shibuyapixelart2024”, “work title” and “canvas size” must be posted together. ・Meet the application terms and conditions *Please be careful not to remove the hashtag “#shibuyapixelart2024” until the results are announced.
Criteria
The judges will evaluate and choose winners with a focus on the following elements:
● Originality
whether the work is unique and expresses individuality
● Sociality
whether the work expresses its relationship with or poses a question to society
● Story-telling
how well the work reflects the theme(s), and the way it is expressed
Winners
The announcement will be made at an awards ceremony scheduled to be held somewhere in Shibuya on Sunday, September 29, 2024. Winners will be contacted directly via DM from the official "Shibuya Pixel Art" account on X (formerly Twitter) or Instagram. Winners can have their works published in "Shibuya Pixel Art Collection Book 2024", and all of these supplementary prizes are voluntary.
Terms
If you are applying for the "Pixel Art Contest" held by the Shibuya Pixel Art Executive Committee using X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram, please read the following carefully and apply only after agreeing to the terms below. Works posted with "#shibuyapixelart2024" during the application period from June 1st to July 31st, 2024 will be deemed to have been posted after agreeing to these Terms. If you do not agree to the following rules, please stop posting.
Important notice
Applicants will be accepted regardless of nationality and location of residence. Prizes will be sent to all locations, both in and outside of Japan.
Posts from private accounts or those without the official hashtag and/or title will not be eligible for the contest.
Multiple posts of the same work will be deemed invalid.
Submissions must be done by the artist themselves, unless they are posted by a parent or guardian on behalf of a child under the age of 13 who is unable to use Twitter or Instagram.
Any submission through Instagram that does not have the private mode setting turned on, or is uploaded in any way that is considered inappropriate, will be deemed invalid.
Any work violating copyright, public order and standards of decency, and/or privacy will be deemed invalid.
If considered to be against the principles of the contest, the committee may ask for the post to be taken down or refrained from being posted without notice to the applicant.
Applicants are responsible for any expenses that may occur for internet connection and communication when entering the contest.
All images posted using the contest hashtag will be considered to have cleared all rights related to image rights and copyrights (hereinafter referred to as image rights).
Shibuya Pixel Art Committee will not be liable for any violations of third party rights including image rights by the submitted artwork.
Applicants must assume responsibility and base their decision on their own judgement when entering the contest. Shibuya Pixel Art Committee will not be liable for any damages to the applicant, unless it is an outcome of their willful or gross negligence.
This contest is not supported, approved, operated or affiliated in any way with Twitter or Instagram.
Note that artwork submitted to the contest may be used for websites, social media, and other media platforms of Shibuya Pixel Art and its sponsors.
The following actions are prohibited when entering the contest. Submissions violating the following may be taken down or deleted by the Shibuya Pixel Art Committee.
Term violations
Disturbances to the operation of the contest
Actions inflicting disturbance, harm or discomfort to others
Slandering or online defamation
Violations of copyrights and other intellectual property rights
Violations of property, privacy or image rights
Actions deemed by the Shibuya Pixel Art Committee to be against the principle of the contest
Actions deemed by the Shibuya Pixel Art Committee to be harmful or inappropriate
Posting and promoting obscenity, child pornography and child sexual abuse
Information sharing, advertising or soliciting for sales purposes
Violations of public order and morality
Violations of Twitter/Instagram’s terms and conditions and decree
Actions similar to the list above
Disclaimer and other notices
This contest is run with the utmost care and attention. However, the committee does not guarantee the integrity, accuracy, safety, usability etc. of the information that is offered, the program and services, and all other issues related to the contest. The Shibuya Pixel Art Committee will not be liable for any damages to the users or third parties in case of situations below.
Emergencies such as software/hardware incidents, fires, power outages and damages to internet connection when participating or applying to the contest.
Regular or urgent system maintenance for the contest.
Situations of conflict between users or between users and third parties.
Interruptions, delays or defects in the contest services caused by disturbances from third parties.
Incorrect information sent out by the contest or defects that are not outcomes of willful or gross negligence.
Shibuya Pixel Art Committee will not be liable for any situations of conflict or damage (both directly and indirectly) that occur to the applicants by participating in the contest.
Shibuya Pixel Art Committee may change or cancel any part of the contest (either partially or completely) without notice to the applicants. If deemed necessary, the committee will have the authority to change the terms and conditions without notice to the applicants and may take necessary measures to ensure an adequate operation of the contest.
Treatment of personal data
Shibuya Pixel Art Committee will use personal data collected from users to send notifications, prizes to contest winners and compile anonymous statistics as reference for future contests and events.
The committee will not disclose or share personal data of winners to third parties that are not affiliated to the event without consent (except when legally required).
Q&A
●What is pixel art?
Q.1 Please tell me what pixel art is.
A.1 Generally, it is considered to be "a work drawn at such a low resolution that dots (pixels), which are the smallest elements that make up an image, can be seen" or "an image composed of colors arranged in squares." However, it has not been precisely defined. Starting this year, this contest attempts to evaluate the beauty within the constraints of "Pixel Art" by stipulating that works be digital and that the canvas size be 512 x 512 pixels or less.
Q.2 What kind of software/applications are available to create pixel art digitally?
A.2 Below are some commonly used examples. There are many other types of software than those introduced here, so please choose the one that suits you best.
*There are both free and paid services. Any fees that occur must be paid by the user. *GIF formats may not be available for output depending on the software/app. *Please contact the manufacturers for details on the services.
Q.3 Please tell me some pixel art that I can use as reference.
A.3 Please see past contest winning works from the "Archive".
●How to apply
Q.4 How should I apply?
A.4 Express your own pixel art with the theme of "Flowers". During the application period, follow the "Shibuya Pixel Art" official account on X (formerly Twitter) or Instagram, and share your digital works such as illustrations, animations, videos, games, sculptures, photographs, etc. with the hash "#shibuyapixelart2024" Please post with tags, "work title" and "canvas size".
Q.5 I don't use X (formerly Twitter) or Instagram, but can I apply using other methods?
A.5 This contest can only be submitted via X (formerly Twitter) or Instagram.
Q.6 Can elementary school students apply?
A.6 X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram cannot be used by anyone under the age of 13. Therefore, parents can post on X (old Twitter) or Instagram on their behalf. In the contest held in 2019, a 7-year-old elementary school student won the category award.
A.8 We have confirmed the content posted by the Shibuya Pixel Art Executive Committee, but if there are duplicate posts by mistake, please delete one.
Q.9 What kind of award is the Audience Award?
A.9 This award will be given to the work that has been retweeted the most on X (formerly Twitter) as of 24:00 on September 28, 2024.
Q.10 Are only works submitted by X (formerly Twitter) eligible for the Audience Award?
A.10 Works posted on X (formerly Twitter) are eligible.
Q.11 Is it okay to take a photo of a hand-drawn artwork and submit it?
A.11 This time, we are limited to digital works with a canvas size of 512 x 512 px or less.
Q.12 In the case of digital works, to what extent is processing allowed?
A.12 Other than the Limited Pixel Art category award, there are no particular rules, so feel free to edit them as you like.
Q.13 If I apply for the Limited Pixel Art category, do I have to upload it at the original size such as 16 x 16 or 32 x 32 px?
A.13 Please create your work in 16 x 16 or 32 x 32 px, and when uploading the image, please enlarge it to a size that is easy to see.
Q.14 Is it possible to apply with video, music, or dance works?
A.14 Of course it is possible! However, the digital work must have a canvas size of 512 x 512 px or less.
Q.15 Can I apply with works that have been published elsewhere?
A.15 Yes. However, submitted works are limited to works that have not won an award in any other contest.
Q.16 Is there a maximum number of applications?
A.16 No. You can apply as many times as you like.
Q.17 Can I apply for art works that I have created in the past?
A.17 You can apply!
Q.18 Is it possible to apply as an art work created by multiple people?
A.18 Yes, but please apply from one account.
Q.19 Do I have to live in Tokyo?
A.19 We welcome submissions not only from within Japan but also from overseas. There is no need to come to Tokyo to receive the award.
Q.20 Can I apply from overseas?
A.20 The applicant's nationality and place of residence do not matter. Prizes and prizes can be delivered both domestically and internationally. However, please note that it may take time to ship overseas.
Q.21 Is it possible to repost or post other people's works?
A.21 Only works created by yourself are eligible for submission. If you are using a third party's work or a photo that primarily features a person, please obtain permission from that person before posting.
●Examination/Results/Second Prizes
Q.22 How can I find out the screening results? How will I be notified of the screening results?
A.22 The judging results and award-winning works will be announced on the "Shibuya Pixel Art" official website and at the award ceremony. In addition, the winners will be contacted directly via DM from the official "Shibuya Pixel Art" account on X (formerly Twitter) or Instagram.
Q.23 Please tell me the screening criteria.
A.23 The judges place particular emphasis on the following three points. ●Originality: “Jibun”-likeness and “individuality” ●Sociality: whether the work expresses its relationship with or poses a question to society ●Story-telling ability: “understanding” of a given theme, and the sharpness, depth, and beauty of its “expression” The judges will select the work that most resonates with them from these three perspectives.
Q.24 Please tell me the judging method.
A.24 All awards will undergo screening checks in accordance with the application rules. After that, the first round of judging will be conducted by each judge, and the winners will be decided in a final judging by all judges. For special awards and category awards, the winners will be selected together with sponsoring and cooperating companies after the first round of judging.
Q.25 Can one person win multiple prizes?
A.25 If you submit multiple works, each work may win a prize.
Q.26 Is it possible for one work to receive multiple awards?
A.26 Yes.
Q.27 Please tell me about the judges.
A.27 Please see “Judge”. Please note that the judges may change due to circumstances.
Q.28 Please tell me about the prizes.
A.28 Please see “Prizes”. Please note that the judges may change due to circumstances.
Press kit
If you would like to conduct an interview or publish an article, please use this press kit.
