Stuck trying to get your graphic design community talking and sharing their work? Community challenges are a proven way to spark creativity, motivate members, and build real connections. With our ready-to-use templates, you will never run out of fresh ideas to keep your group inspired.
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Community challenges tap into our natural love for friendly competition, learning, and recognition. By inviting members to participate in fun or skill-based activities, you create a shared experience that brings people together. This approach lowers barriers for shy or new members and gives everyone a reason to post.
For graphic design communities, challenges provide a structured outlet for creativity and a safe way to try new tools or styles. When tasks are achievable and feedback is encouraged, members feel motivated to participate and support each other. The playful tone and public recognition keep the energy positive and encourage repeat engagement.
Offering small rewards or spotlighting participants adds an extra layer of motivation. Challenges also provide valuable content for social feeds, helping your community look vibrant and welcoming to newcomers.
Let’s do a color palette swap challenge. Redesign a past project with a new color scheme. Share your before and after.
💡 Example: "Member posts their old logo in blue tones and a new version in neons."
Typography twist challenge. Pick your favorite quote and design it using only two typefaces. Post your creation below.
💡 Example: "A member shares a poster with their chosen quote in bold sans and script fonts."
Can you design a logo using only shapes and no text? Give it a try and share your result!
💡 Example: "Member posts a geometric logo for a coffee shop, circles and squares only."
Flash challenge: Create a business card design in 20 minutes or less. Ready, set, go!
💡 Example: "A member uploads a quick, minimal black and white card."
Show us your favorite shortcut or hack in your design software. Bonus points for a screenshot!
💡 Example: "Member shares a Photoshop keyboard shortcut for quick layer selection."
Weekly prompt: Design something inspired by your favorite snack. Upload your artwork here.
💡 Example: "A member posts a chip bag illustration with fun, bold colors."
Minimalism challenge: Redesign a popular poster using only three elements. Show us your version.
💡 Example: "Member recreates a Star Wars poster using just shapes, a title, and color."
Throwback challenge: Share a design from your early days and redo it with your current skills.
💡 Example: "Side-by-side of a 2015 flyer and a polished 2024 version."
Can you create an icon set for your favorite app in just 30 minutes? Post your icons below.
💡 Example: "A row of weather icons for a mobile app."
Palette challenge: Use only three specific HEX codes and design anything you want. Share your work.
💡 Example: "Poster using #FF5733, #C70039, and #900C3F."
Show us your workspace or desk setup. Bonus if you include your sketchbook or mood board.
💡 Example: "Photo of a desk with a laptop, tablet, and sticky notes."
Texture challenge: Design something using at least three different textures. Post your results.
💡 Example: "Poster featuring paper, metal, and watercolor textures."
Speed sketch: Take five minutes to sketch a logo for your favorite animal. Show us what you made!
💡 Example: "Rough pencil drawing of a fox logo."
Design your dream album cover. Use any style or theme you want. Share your creation below.
💡 Example: "A vibrant pop album cover with hand lettering."
Can you create a poster with only black and white? No gray allowed. Post your boldest designs.
💡 Example: "A stark event poster in pure black and white."
Favorite tool time! Share your go-to design tool and why you love it.
💡 Example: "Member comments, 'Affinity Designer for its vector tools.'"
Sticker challenge: Design a set of three stickers around a theme of your choice. Post your sheet.
💡 Example: "A space-themed sticker set: rocket, planet, and alien."
Try the 'one font only' challenge. Create a flyer or social post using just one font family.
💡 Example: "A clean event flyer in Montserrat."
What is your favorite color combo for 2024? Share a quick swatch or moodboard.
💡 Example: "Member shares a pink and teal palette."
Challenge: Design a social media post for a fake brand. Get creative and show us what you come up with.
💡 Example: "A fun donut shop Instagram post mockup."
Create a poster using only circles and straight lines. No other shapes allowed.
💡 Example: "A minimalist concert poster."
Redraw a famous logo in your style. Post the original and your version side by side.
💡 Example: "Reimagined Apple logo in neon and gradients."
Speed branding: Make a logo, color palette, and tagline for a random business name. Share your trio.
💡 Example: "Brand kit for 'Blue Finch Bakery'."
Fan art challenge: Design a poster inspired by your favorite movie or show.
💡 Example: "A Stranger Things poster in a retro style."
Challenge: Recreate a famous painting as a digital graphic. Share your interpretation.
💡 Example: "Digital version of The Starry Night."
Create a simple infographic on a topic you care about. Share your design and help inform others.
💡 Example: "Infographic on eco-friendly packaging."
Design a greeting card for any occasion. Post your card and let others guess the event.
💡 Example: "A floral card, members guess 'Mother's Day.'"
Retro challenge: Create something in the style of the 80s. Bright colors, bold fonts, and all.
💡 Example: "A neon event poster with Memphis patterns."
If you had to design using only three layers, what would you make? Show us your minimal masterpiece.
💡 Example: "Simple mountain landscape with sky, sun, and hills."
Share your favorite font pairing and show us how you use it.
💡 Example: "Montserrat bold with Lora regular on a blog header."
Challenge: Design a book cover for a classic you love. Post your cover and title.
💡 Example: "A modern cover for 'Pride and Prejudice.'"
Animated GIF challenge: Make a simple animated GIF in your favorite style. Share and inspire!
💡 Example: "Looping animated cat icon."
Emoji design: Create your own emoji for the community. Post your drawing or digital icon.
💡 Example: "A smiling bee emoji for the group."
Challenge: Take an ugly PowerPoint slide and give it a design makeover. Show before and after.
💡 Example: "Improved pie chart slide with better colors and icons."
Try a limited tools challenge. Only use the shape tool for your design. Share your process.
💡 Example: "Member posts a flower made from circles and rectangles."
Poster remix: Take a famous concert poster and remake it for a local event.
💡 Example: "A Woodstock poster style for a local craft fair."
Show us your favorite brush or texture pack and how you use it.
💡 Example: "Screenshot of a watercolor brush used for digital art."
Challenge: Create a social media ad for a cause you care about. Keep it simple and clear.
💡 Example: "Ad for ocean cleanup with bold type and illustration."
Design a mascot for our community. Draw, sketch, or prototype your idea and share it here.
💡 Example: "A friendly pencil character as the group mascot."
Show us your quick logo sketches. No judgment, just creative fun.
💡 Example: "Member uploads a photo of their notebook doodles."
Challenge: Use only one color and its tints and shades. Design anything you like and share.
💡 Example: "A blue monochromatic cityscape illustration."
To use these templates, choose a challenge that fits your community's mood or current themes. Post the template as written or tweak it to match your brand voice. Make sure to clearly state the challenge, any rules, and how members can participate. Encourage members to share their progress or finished work, and offer feedback or recognition. Pin or highlight the post for visibility and use tags to keep challenges organized for future reference.
For all platforms, use relevant hashtags and pin the challenge post to the top of your feed. Encourage members to tag the community or use a specific hashtag when sharing their entries. On platforms with stories or reels, feature member submissions for extra visibility. Use polls or reactions to let members vote for their favorites.
When creating challenge prompts, offer options that allow members to use either vector (e.g., Adobe Illustrator, Affinity Designer) or raster (e.g., Photoshop, Procreate) tools. For instance, a 'Logo Redesign' challenge could specify that entries may be created in any format, but submissions should include exported PNGs or SVGs. This ensures inclusivity across different graphic design specialties.
Yes, for challenges centered around print design, such as poster or packaging challenges, it's best to clarify the expected color space. Indicate in the template whether designs should be submitted in CMYK for print accuracy or RGB for digital mockups. This avoids confusion and educates members on industry best practices.
To prevent licensing conflicts, suggest the use of open-source or freely available fonts in your typography challenge templates. Provide links to resources like Google Fonts or Adobe Fonts, and clarify that submissions using unlicensed typefaces may be disqualified. This fosters legal compliance while encouraging creative exploration.
Include a dedicated section in your challenge template for process documentation, such as mood boards, wireframes, or time-lapse videos. Offer bonus recognition for detailed process shares and explain that these elements provide valuable learning opportunities for the community, promoting transparency and skill development.
Design challenge templates with optional tracks or variants, clearly labeling prompts as 'UI/UX' (e.g., 'Redesign this app dashboard') or 'Illustration' (e.g., 'Create a mascot character for this brand'). This respects the varied skillsets within graphic design communities and encourages cross-disciplinary participation.
Set clear guidelines in your template that encourage constructive, design-focused feedback. Suggest that critiques reference design principles like hierarchy, balance, or color theory, rather than personal taste. Optionally, include a feedback rubric as part of the template to model high-quality peer review and foster a supportive learning culture.
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