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.
Tie-Dye | Entries due by March 24
While resist-dyeing techniques have been around for centuries, the modern phrase “tie-dye” was invented in the 1960s and had its last heyday in the ‘90s. And in case you missed it, the ‘90s are officially back! With that comes a new wave of tie-dye love. Take your artwork from dyed to digital, or consider using tie-dye inspired digital brushes to elevate your tie-dye aesthetic, bringing it into 2020 with today’s modern shopper in mind. Need some inspiration? Check out our round-up of tie-dyed designs and inspiration we are loving in the Marketplace right now.
Entries will be previewed on a fat quarter size: 21” x 18”. Submissions close March 24 at 3 p.m. Eastern Time. Voting begins March 26. Winners will be announced April 2. See official rules.
Papercut Napkins | Entries due by March 31
Whether you prefer the analog process of Henri Matisse or feel more comfortable in the digital realm with your iPad and Procreate (see the how-to here), we’re excited to see the variety of shapes that make the cut for this challenge! With scissors or stylus, create your composition of paper cut-outs. Inspiration can come from anything and anywhere—from abstract doodles in your sketchbook to the nature in your backyard or the food on your plate.
We think these designs would liven up anyone’s lunch printed on reusable napkins, so your design will be previewed on an 8” x 8″ swatch. With Earth Day right around the corner on April 22, we can’t think of a more fun way to take a small step towards being eco-friendly in your everyday life!
Entries will be previewed on a swatch size: 8” x 8”. Submissions close March 31 at 3 p.m. Eastern Time. Voting begins April 2. Winners will be announced April 9. See official rules.
Noodle Bowl | Entries due by April 7
From a fragrant crock of vermicelli swimming in stock to thick hand-cut noodles smothered in a gravy-like broth, we want to know, “What’s bubbling in your pasta pot?” Any noodle will do, and how you season your bowl is up to you. Home-cooked or carry out, your flavorful ingredients should be illustrated into a seamless repeating pattern that works just as well on fabric by the yard as it does on a kitchen tea towel.
Entries will be previewed on a fat quarter size: 21” x 18”. Submissions close April 7 at 3 p.m. Eastern Time. Voting begins April 9. Winners will be announced April 16. See official rules.
Line Art Safari Wallpaper | Entries due by April 14
We’re wild for wallpaper! This week’s challenge has us going on a design safari and we’re on the lookout for animal-inspired patterns featuring distinct lines. Just like the traits found in line drawings, remember to pay close attention to the form and outline of your design over color, shading and texture. As you create your entry this week, be sure to think of the use cases for this type of design including nursery wallpaper. Who knows, maybe your design will catch the eye of parent-to-be on the prowl for statement nursery walls featuring line drawings of cuddly and cute animals with subtle additions of color.
Designer Tip: Wallpaper patterns make the biggest impact when design elements are 12”-24” and set as a basic repeat.
Entries will be previewed on Spoonflower Wallpaper. Submissions close April 14 at 3 p.m. Eastern Time. Voting begins April 16. Winners will be announced April 23. See official rules.
Pastel Café | Entries Due by April 21
It’s time to order an espresso macchiato and pistachio macaron, and settle into a booth at your favorite pastel café! Challenge yourself to think beyond just croissants and demitasse cups for this one. Your design should evoke the aesthetics and atmosphere of a typical Italian or French cafe one might find in the 1950s and ‘60s. This aesthetic is known for its pastel palettes and distinct architectural details like formica furniture and light-filled arched windows to soft-colored banquettes and tiles.
Entries will be previewed on a fat quarter size: 21” x 18”. Submissions close April 21 at 3 p.m. Eastern Time. Voting begins April 23. Winners will be announced April 30. 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 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.
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