Since its inception, Spoonflower has engaged its community of thousands of independent artists through exciting design challenges. These curated contests not only offer a platform for artists to showcase their work but also foster growth and creativity by aligning with emerging trends.
One of my personal business goals is to participate in at least one of the two design challenges Spoonflower offers each week. These prompts serve as a catalyst for my creativity, pushing me to explore new ideas and gain fresh perspectives. In short, they ensure I always have a reason to design and grow.
As much as I am a competitive person, I’m not a fan of competition. It might sound contradictory, but competition often stirs up fears of failure and unhealthy comparisons. Instead, I choose to focus on self-improvement and personal growth. Sharing my artwork is another hurdle I’ve had to overcome. While I’ve always been creative, developing my artistic skills took time, practice, and vulnerability. The fear of criticism made me hesitant to put my work out there, but I’ve come to see it as a necessary step in my journey.
That’s why starting a Spoonflower shop and entering my first design challenge was such a big leap for me. The challenge I chose was the Accent Walls Challenge, where participants were tasked with creating a bold, eye-catching wallpaper design that defines a space. Entries had to be submitted by January 14th, and voting by the Spoonflower community runs until January 28th. What I admire most about Spoonflower’s process is their effort to ensure fairness—each entry gets the same number of impressions, and designs are shown in randomized order to avoid favoritism or popularity contests. The top 100 designs will receive prizes or benefits, but for me, just entering was already a win.
Inspiration struck just days before the deadline. While watching a movie, I noticed a vase of cherry blossoms against a blue wall in the background of a scene. It reminded me of lying on the ground on a clear spring day, looking up at the sky through a canopy of cherry blossoms. That serene, dreamy moment became the inspiration for my entry, “Under the Sakura Sky.”
Although the design was created with wallpaper in mind, it also looks stunning as a duvet, curtains, tablecloth, or throw pillow.
The final results will be announced in less than a week, but I already feel like a winner. The support I’ve received from fellow artists who favorited my design, along with the personal victory of facing my fears and entering the challenge, has been incredibly rewarding.
That’s all for now! Let me know your thoughts on this design in the comments—I’d love to hear from you!
Under the Sakura Sky Home Decor
