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# Pixel Artcade
- URL: https://www.protein.xyz/pixel-artcade/
- Published: 2014-02-19T11:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2016-06-02T04:39:47.000Z
- Description: Dundee Contemporary Arts Centre present a box that offers the more generous of us a game in exchange for donations
- Author: Helio Rosas
- Tags: SEEDS, Art & Design, #protein, #Import 2024-06-11 13:25

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/fc/71/fc716215-5729-441a-bd07-e2b50bc413b1/content/images/S3/protein/9867/94addb95-36b2-4a71-8ba1-7df78a3161c6.jpg)

Applying 'video game theory' to social space, gaming company Denki, with the help of design agency [Uniform](http://uniform.net/?ref=protein.xyz), commissioned brightly illuminated single-pixel donation boxes, dubbed Pixel Artcade, which have been designed to encourage giving at the [Dundee Contemporary Arts Centre](http://www.dca.org.uk/?ref=protein.xyz).  
Dropping money into one of the boxes breaks a laser that triggers a change in pixel colour, briefly flashing a thank you message up to the donor. Each donation continues the chain along the RGB colour wheel until a triadic combination - where three colours are equally spaced - is found, at which point a hidden game is initiated, subtly gamifying an otherwise simple action.  
Denki closely studied donations at the DCA. After looking at the takings and conducting a series of interviews, the company learned that giving was just not a high priority to many visitors in free public spaces. Deciding the problem was a lack of engagement rather than empty pockets, it explored ideas for boosting the generosity of passers-by, ultimately commissioning Uniform to build something interactive, engaging and aesthetically pleasing.   
Pixel Artcade was funded through the Digital R&D Fund for Arts Organisation and in collaboration with the University of Dundee's chair of creative technology, professor Jon Rogers, and Patrick Stevenson-Keating at London design house, [Studio PSK](http://www.studiopsk.com/?ref=protein.xyz).  
  
In other, recent pixel news, the [Leblox app](https://www.prote.in/en/feed/2014/02/leblox?ref=protein.xyz) serves up augmented reality tasters of 3D printed pixellated miniatures, that suggests the appeal for nostalgic graphics is far from waning.   

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/fc/71/fc716215-5729-441a-bd07-e2b50bc413b1/content/images/S3/protein/9867/4d22256d-5baf-4829-a383-711693360bf4.jpg)

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/fc/71/fc716215-5729-441a-bd07-e2b50bc413b1/content/images/S3/protein/9867/60f6a57f-75aa-4e90-8453-3e64467b7baa.jpg)