Pixelation is a visual effect that occurs when an image is displayed at a low resolution, causing it to appear blocky or grainy. This happens when the individual pixels, which are the smallest units of a digital image, become visible. Pixelation can be intentional, often used in art or to obscure sensitive information, such as faces in videos. In digital media, pixelation is commonly seen in video games and images that are resized improperly. It can also occur when a photo is enlarged beyond its original size, leading to a loss of detail. Understanding pixelation is important for graphic design and digital photography, where clarity and resolution are key.