Spoonflower’s Weekly Design Challenges encourage creativity by inviting our community to submit designs around a theme and vote on favorites to win weekly prizes. See what design challenges are coming up and which designers were crowned grand champion in past challenges here

February Design Challenge Themes

Yellow and Gray | Entries due by January 26

A color field painting using gray at the top and yellow at the bottom

Have you heard the news? Pantone’s 2021 color of the year is a gray and yellow color combo that together symbolizes strength and positivity. Although specific shades of both colors were announced (Ultimate Gray and Illuminating), we’d like to see what particular shades of yellow and gray most resonate with the Spoonflower community. Experiment to find just the right yellow to support and complement your shade of gray and utilize black and/or white as you see fit to make the perfect pattern to create uplifting updates for the home, wardrobe and more this year!

An Important Note About Your Design Challenge Entry

Please only use shades of yellow and gray with the optional use of Black (#000000) and White (#ffffff). How many shades of yellow and gray are up to you. We are looking for designs that celebrate Pantone’s Colors of the Year through the use of gray and yellow as the dominant colors. Unlike previous Pantone Color of the Year palette challenges, you do not have to use the exact color of the year hex codes.

Entries will be previewed on a 21″ x 18″ fat quarter. Submissions close January 26 at 3 p.m. Eastern Time. Voting begins January 28. Winners will be announced on February 4. See official rules.

Year of the Ox | Entries due by February 2

A herd of oxen in a field

This February we will close out the Year of the Rat and begin to celebrate the Year of the Ox. The Chinese New Year, also known as Lunar New Year or the Spring Festival, marks the second new moon after the winter solstice. Those born under the Chinese zodiac sign of the ox are typically hard-working, intelligent and reliable like their creature counterpart. Let’s honor 2021’s symbol with repeating designs depicting this mighty and docile animal.

Entries will be previewed on a 21″ x 18″ fat quarter. Submissions close February 2 at 3 p.m. Eastern Time. Voting begins February 4. Winners will be announced on February 11. See official rules.

Patchwork | Entries due by February 9

Colorful patches of fabric sewn together into four strips

Over the river and through the woods to Grandmother’s house we go! Classic patterns like this week’s theme, patchwork, are getting a modern-day makeover thanks to the Granny-chic trend.  While you won’t be required to piece together fabric squares for your entry this week, we are challenging you to take a contemporary approach to patchwork. Whether it’s a faux patchwork design perfect for a handmade dress, the inspiration for a cheater quilt or an eye-catching design featuring varying blocks of pattern, we can’t wait to see how you piece this challenge together.

Entries will be previewed on a 21″ x 18″ fat quarter. Submissions close February 9 at 3 p.m. Eastern Time. Voting begins February 11. Winners will be announced on February 18. See official rules.

Talismans | Entries due by February 16

A brown beaded bracelet, a golden charm on a necklace and a braided leather strap sit on an orange knitted background

What brings you luck? Some believe their luck lies in talismans. A talisman is any object ascribed with magical powers intended to protect, heal, or even bring good fortune and fertility to those in possession of it. Your magical object could take the form of a ring, a Celtic knot, or a special symbol. Many Italians, for example, have long believed that a small horn-shaped amulet known as the cornicello could ward off the evil eye. What’s your talisman? Draw inspiration from mystical worlds to manifest luck, strength and comfort for the days ahead. We all need it after a year like 2020!

Entries will be previewed on a 21″ x 18″ fat quarter. Submissions close February 16 at 3 p.m. Eastern Time. Voting begins February 18. Winners will be announced on February 25. See official rules.

Grand Prize

One Grand Prize Winner each week will receive $200 in Spoondollars. The winner will also receive additional exposure in our email newsletters, professional photography of their printed designs and social media mentions.

Second Place

The 2nd place winner will receive $100 in Spoondollars.

Third Place

The 3rd place winner will receive $50 in Spoondollars.

The rest of the top 10

4th through 10th place winners will receive a $20 Spoondollar credit.

All of the top 50

Each of the top 50 entries, determined as set forth above, not receiving one of the foregoing prizes will be automatically proofed for sale in the Spoonflower Marketplace (approximately a $5 value) (the “Runner Up Prize”) if winners are verified sellers.