Pixel Farm’s Homey High Tech

Name: Pixel Farm Digital
Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota
Size: 10,000 square feet
Years in business: 17 years

Most high tech spaces and production companies feel sleek and modern to the point of simplicity. Not Pixel Farm. I’d even go so far as to say it feels like home, which is a welcome departure. Now, I don’t know many people who have a Roman fountain in their living room, but it’s that kind of unexpected embrace of the bold and comforting that makes this space so fun.

The space is directly inspired by company president Mohsen Sadeghi’s sense of style. It’s immediately clear that this is a place where people work hard, but have a lot of fun doing it. Whether it’s in the edit suites upstairs or the professional music studio downstairs, everyone is making great work with a smile on their face.

Perhaps that’s why it’s so homey too. When people are happy, they bring their own sense of calm to their work. Desks aren’t overly organized. Personal mementos are interspersed with work and plenty of toys – as well as high tech gadgets for coloring or creating motion graphics.

However, the real magic to the space is its warmth. People are always the key ingredient, but the exposed brick, the warm yellow tones, the large murals with the brand’s identity and the large communal spaces all add to this feel.

Our Style: Pixel Farm is an eclectic mix of historic and artistic elements that create a warm and inviting environment that feels like you are in the courtyard of a hacienda. With the added mix of warehouse/industrial feel it creates a fun working environment for our employees and clients.

Inspiration: More of an eclectic feel, as opposed to a lot of the super modern creative environments you may see. Instead of just having it contemporary, modern or historic we wanted to create a place that was more eclectic and using a lot of different elements, vibrant colors and more about textures. Wanted the textures to be different than typical workplaces. The Venetian plaster and the textured walls add a lot to create the look. Pixel Farm is a very unusual office.

Favorite Element: The exposed brick and the plants and pillars make it feel like an authentic villa. The murals painted on the wall and the entrance area make it such a unique space. There is also a big water feature that creates a soothing background and add to the exotic nature of Pixel Farm.

What Friends Say: The most surprising element is they are in an Old World feel of the space mixed with the high-end technology and services and creates a bit of a juxtaposition. It is very welcoming and homey and makes people feel like they are on vacation. We pride ourselves in being ahead of the curve with the best of the best technology in the hands of the most talented and experienced artists.

Biggest Embarrassment: Sometimes we’ve heard it compares to Olive Garden because of the old-world feel. But no, we don’t provide unlimited breadsticks.

Proudest DIY: Mohsen Sadeghi (President of Pixel Farm) did all of the work for the entire building. He designed and selected and purchased it all and had it installed.

Biggest Indulgence: Our water feature that sits between our animation and VFX team.

Best Advice: Don’t be afraid to go for the look you want and don’t sacrifice your vision to be comfortable and common. Stay true to your aesthetic and style.

HARDWARE

• Wurlitzer 200A electric piano
• Rhodes Mk1 Electric Piano
• Gibson LG-0 Parlor guitar
• Lakland Bass guitar
• Blue Bottle Mic
• Neumann U87 Mic
• Vintage RCA ribbon mics
• Also a bunch of ZVEX guitar pedals
• Vintage drum machine EMU SP-12
• Avalon 2055 EQ

FLOORING

• Flooring is from a old warehouse. It is original flooring in the warehouse that was refinished.

WINDOW TREATMENTS

• Windows, doors and lights were found within the 5 state area and were found in a bunch of different antique stores. Mohsen would go on the hunt for something and sometimes would find other pieces that would integrate into the style of the place. If he found a window he would cut the building around the window to make it fit.

VINTAGE

• The mantel in the lobby, the old editing furniture and the chandelier hanging above receptionist desk is vintage

Thanks Pixel Farm!

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