A nostalgic 8-bit world where IKEA furniture powers the ultimate gaming setup.

IKEA 8 Bit - Motion Graphic Ad

I led the design and illustration of two IKEA Canada 8-bit room worlds: Casual (green) and Hardcore (red). Reimagining IKEA products in a nostalgic retro game style. When simplified 2D concepts weren’t enough for stakeholders to visualize the final look, I shifted to a more realistic Photoshop workflow to improve clarity and speed approvals.

Two distinct 8-bit room environments (green + red) featuring IKEA products.

❋ Goal

Build a retro 8-bit campaign world that re-imagines IKEA products for gamers.

❋ Deliverables

Stakeholder clarity + approvals; translating pixel style into readable product moments.

❋ Constraints

Design Lead (room concepts, design system, pixel-style illustrations).

❋ Role

Delivered two cohesive campaign worlds with a clearer visual approach for smoother approvals.

❋ Outcome

Adobe Photoshop

❋ Tools

❋ Final Key Visuals

Two distinct 8-bit room worlds, Casual (green) and Hardcore (red), built to appeal to different gamer types while keeping IKEA products clear, recognizable, and on-brand.


❋ Process

Early 2D Concepts - Before

These early frames were used to confirm the foundation of each room before adding realism through layout, perspective, IKEA product placement, and logo/messaging hierarchy. Keeping the visuals simplified helped the team approve the structure and readability first, while clearly distinguishing the Casual (green) and Hardcore (red) worlds.

Shift in Approach - Why it Changed

After review, stakeholders had difficulty visualizing the final depth and finish from the simplified concepts. To align faster and reduce back-and-forth, I shifted to a more realistic Photoshop build that communicated lighting, texture, and scale more clearly. While still preserving the nostalgic 8-bit direction and keeping products recognizable.

❋ More Details

Agency
Rethink

Creative Lead
Dominik Bochenski

Compositors
Bala D., Dan Ciancone

Lighting & Rendering
Rogerio Miyagi

Producers
Rebecca MacKillop, Margarita Reynes

Client
IKEA Canada

Production

Tantrum Studio

Design
Hayoung Na (Lead), Marie Kubo

Animation

Jimmy Gill

3D Lead
Steve Choptiany

  ❋ Full Credits

  ❋ Full Credits

Client
IKEA Canada

Agency

Rethink

Production
Tantrum Studio

Creative Directors

Dominik Bochenski

Design Lead
Hayoung Na

Designer
Marie Kubo

Compositors
Bala D., Dan Ciancone

Animation
Jimmy Gill

Lighting & Rendering
Rogerio Miyagi

3D Lead
Steve Choptiany

Producers
Rebecca MacKillop, Margarita Reynes