Back in August 2021, there was a Spoonflower challenge called Phantasmagoria, which means dreamlike- kind of like that weird drifting through reality feeling one might experience with a really high fever. I was instantly inspired. I spend a lot of time designing cute, kid-friendly prints, but there’s a side of me that loves the weird, the witchy, and the slightly spooky. The Phantasmagoria challenge was a chance to let that part out.
The result? A pattern I named The Odd Garden. It was experimental, strange, and full of ghostly blooms and eerie little seedpods. I had zero expectations. But somehow, it placed 16th out of hundreds of entries and even more surprising, it became a steady seller in my shop, especially on wallpaper. Years later, it's still going strong.
I think people are drawn to it because it’s different. It doesn’t look like anything else out there, and it fits that Halloween-all-year vibe that some customers really love. It’s bold, playful, and just a little unsettling—in the best way.
More Than Just Votes
Not all of my challenge entries take off like that. In fact, one of my personal favorites, these colorful beetles (shown below), ranked a discouraging 131st when I submitted it to a challenge in 2021. But now? That print is one of my top sellers on wallpaper. So while it’s always fun to aim for a high vote count, it’s not the only marker of success.
Each of the designs shown below have been top sellers for me, even though they performed poorly in the challenges.
I usually approach design challenges with a strategic mindset. I try to design with the theme in mind, consider what might do well with voters, and always put forward something that’s polished and marketable. But even then, the process pushes me creatively. The prompts often get me out of my comfort zone and into new territory, and I’ve built entire collections around some of those early challenge designs.
The Best Part? The Community.
What really keeps me coming back, though, is the community. Artists share their entries in the Spoonflower Fans Facebook group, and it’s such a positive space to exchange feedback, cheer each other on, and stay inspired. The weekly voting round becomes a little gallery of creativity, and I genuinely love seeing what other artists come up with.
Challenges as Trend Forecasts
Design prompts also offer great insight into what Spoonflower is forecasting for upcoming trends. I don’t join every challenge—some themes just don’t fit my style—but when they do, I usually walk away with new ideas, new customers, and often, a new collection in the making.
So, Are Challenges Worth It?
Absolutely. Whether your entry ranks high or disappears into the crowd, just participating is valuable. You’ll likely create something you wouldn’t have thought of on your own, and you’ll get extra eyes on your work that could lead to long-term sales. For me, Spoonflower challenges have been a creative playground and a growth accelerator rolled into one.
Want to see where it all started?
Browse The Odd Garden design and others from the collection here:
The Odd Garden on Spoonflower
And if you’re a fellow artist who’s ever hesitated to enter a challenge, here’s your sign. Go for it. You never know which design will be the one that wins.