Announcing September 2022 Design Challenge Themes

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.

Be sure to visit the blog to learn more about Spoonflower’s Design Challenge rules and moderation process.

Handmade textures are trending and for this challenge we’re focusing on the coziest of them all… crochet granny squares. 

Granny squares hit the mainstream in the 1970s and have recently come back into the spotlight in both home decor and fashion. How will you bring the texture of crochet granny squares to life? While designing we invite you to embrace the colorful stitches, fluffy fibers and geometric  layout of this nostalgic craft.  

Entries will be previewed on a 21” x 18” fat quarter. Submissions close August 23 at 3 p.m. Eastern Time. Voting begins August 25. Winners will be announced September 1. See official rules.

Compass? Check. Field guide? Check. Binoculars? Check. Now that we’re packed, it’s time for a birding adventure! 

Bird watching is full of inspiration from the supplies in our bags, to the birds we see and the beautiful surroundings we wander through along the way. In fact, that’s probably enough inspiration to design a whole birding collection, but don’t worry, we’re only asking for one design. Whether you take a real life birding adventure in your own back yard, or a virtual birding adventure across the globe, we are excited to see what designs you create for this challenge.  

Entries will be previewed on a 21” x 18” fat quarter. Submissions close August 30 at 3 p.m. Eastern Time. Voting begins September 1. Winners will be announced September 8. See official rules.

Step back in time to the 1800s to find inspiration for our Victorian-era florals challenge. 

The Victorian era is rich with inspiration including dark jewel tones, feminine pastels, excess ornamental design, formal damask patterns, delicate rococo details and of course, gorgeous florals. When you are designing, imagine your Victorian-era florals adorning beautiful bedding, home decor, and wallpaper. 

Note: While designs with images from the public domain are allowed on Spoonflower.com, they will not be accepted for this challenge. Read more on the blog about rules surrounding copyright and original artwork for design challenges.

Entries will be previewed on a 21” x 18” fat quarter. Submissions close September 6 at 3 p.m. Eastern Time. Voting begins September 8. Winners will be announced September 15. See official rules.

You’ve just discovered a new plant species from another world… what does it look like?

Color and shape will be the two design elements to focus on for this challenge. Explore bright, saturated and unnatural colors for your out-of-this-world botanicals. Form the stems, leaves and petals something weird that would be talked about in alien documentaries for centuries. Or, maybe they don’t look like plants or flowers at all!

Entries will be previewed on a 21” x 18” fat quarter. Submissions close September 13 at 3 p.m. Eastern Time. Voting begins September 15. Winners will be announced September 22. See official rules.

Here’s a word to add to your everyday vocabulary: Fika, a break from activity in which people drink coffee, eat cakes or other light snacks and relax with others.

Count us in! Celebrate this sweet Swedish tradition by filling your design with yummy pastries like cinnamon buns, cakes, tarts, buns and more— paired with your favorite coffee (or tea) elements, of course. Will the table include a plate of kardemummabullar (cardamom buns)? What about a basket of chokladbollar (chocolate balls)? Or maybe just a hodgepodge of your favorite sweet snacks! We can’t wait to see what you serve.

Entries will be previewed on a 21” x 18” fat quarter. Submissions close September 20 at 3 p.m. Eastern Time. Voting begins September 22. Winners will be announced September 29. See official rules.

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.

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

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

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

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.