Summer 2025

The Pattern Challenge

The upcoming edition of The Pattern Challenge by Mel will start on August 1st. It will last a month, with a prompt every other day.

Colorful pattern with pink, blue, yellow, and orange abstract shapes and lines on a black background. Text reads, 'The Pattern Challenge, Starting August 1st, Summer '25.'

About the challenge

I created this Instagram drawing challenge back in 2020, when I needed a boost of inspiration and wanted something to keep me accountable. The challenge began with me creating a list of prompts for myself…which I never thought I’d share but I remember my partner saying “Why don’t you share these online? Other illustrators might want to join you!”. And so I did. I shared the prompts. I talked about my love of patterns and how this challenge would focus 100% of them. This is how The Pattern Challenge by Mel was born. Since then, a lot of other pattern challenges have popped up on Instagram and it brings me a lot of joy to see!

How to take part

1) Create a pattern for each prompt. You can use any medium you like! Whatever you decide on, aim to create a professional looking result (which means your final pattern will be digital if possible - even if you painted it on paper to start with).

2) Share your pattern every other day on Instagram and tag me @melanie.johnsson in your post and stories. Use the correct hashtag for the challenge #thepatternchallengebymelsummer25

3) Enjoy the ride! You can create the patterns in advance and share them in August or you can wing it and create all your patterns in August. This Challenge should remain fun.

4) The goal is for you to create new work you’re proud of, share it and make new friends (a lot of illustrators and surface designers get discovered during this challenge.

Colorful pattern challenge schedule for summer 2025 with daily prompts themed around ocean life and sea creatures, including days for 'Leo,' 'Shell,' 'Snack,' 'Orbit,' 'Earthling,' 'Reef,' 'Worm,' 'Pirate,' 'Slide,' 'Salamander,' 'Potager,' 'Swirl,' 'Giant,' 'Rainbow,' and 'Swift,' ending with a reminder to share patterns.

Thing to keep in mind

Don’t overthink it, have fun with it!

Don’t put too much pressure on yourself, it’s ok if you can’t do all the prompts! Life is busy.

Don’t put too much value on being re-shared by other people (me included). It’s all very very very subjective.

Illustration of scuba divers swimming underwater surrounded by various fish, sharks, sea turtles, a snake, and coral in different shades of blue.

The Pattern Paper

Alongside The Pattern Challenge, I also launched The Pattern Paper. It’s currently on hold, but could come back any time! See more here.

For the love of mockups

If you’ve been following The Pattern Challenge for a while now, you know how much I LOVE mockups. I think they’re essential to showcase your work, especially patterns. And my favourite mockups always come from the Creatsy team so…

I have partnered with the amazing folks at Creatsy to bring you 3 free mockups and a generous 25% discount on all their mockups with the code MELANIE25

Go get your mockups
Blue rain boot with a pattern of white and light blue fish, with a blue upper and drawstring closure against a matching blue background.
A black swimming cap and towel both decorated with colorful rainbow, star, and eye patterns, placed on a pink surface.
A baby onesie with a jungle print featuring pink, blue, and brown monkeys, yellow bananas, and brown tree branches on a tan background, set against a yellow backdrop.
Yellow folding chair with a floral patterned fabric seat and backrest, pink, orange, blue, and green flowers on a yellow background, set against a bright blue background.