A journey of impact: the 30-day Design Clan challenge

How it all started

It all started on a fateful evening when I received a DM on Twitter from @annabel_twayne. She poured her heart out about her struggles with consistency in her design craft, and her need for accountability and mentorship. That conversation sparked something in me, not just for Annabel, but for the countless newer designers who reach out to me for guidance.

I thought about their stories, the challenges they faced, and how I could make a real difference. That’s when I decided to create the Design Clan 30-Day Challenge: a journey of creativity, growth and community.

While I was working out how to run it, I reached out to my good friend and senior designer, Collins Donye. He shared valuable tips and encouraged me to bring the challenge to life.

The creation

After our chat, I locked myself away for hours, fuelled by passion and excitement. Task by task, I designed a 30-day challenge that covered every corner of product design: UX, UI, interaction design, replications, redesigns, ideation and more. I wanted us to explore it all. With the challenge ready, I shared it with Collins for feedback. His response boosted my confidence, and I was ready to share it with my audience on Twitter.

Little did I know how overwhelming the response would be. Before 1 June even arrived, over 700 participants were waiting to start. The challenge began on the 1st, and as I write this we’re already on day 6. Time flies when you’re having fun.

My objectives

The goal was clear from the start: empower newer designers, nurture their skills, and build consistency and accountability. The daily tasks are a creative outlet, helping participants build a routine that fuels their imagination and grows their talent.

But this isn’t about designing in isolation. It’s about sharing work with the world and building a strong community. We chose Twitter as our home, with #designclanchallenge and #designclan bringing everyone together. Every submission lands in our digital gallery, so participants can show their work and be seen by the wider design community.

How it’s going so far

Building a community this size hasn’t been easy. It’s taken time and effort to find the right balance. We set ground rules, encourage people to talk to each other, and help them make real connections. Keeping everyone on track at this scale is a challenge in itself, but seeing the support and the friendships forming makes it worth it.

Accountability is at the heart of it. Participants show up every day, share their designs and engage with the community. That commitment builds growth, discipline and perseverance. Active participants also get private events, feedback sessions and design resources.

“We’re not here to chase perfection. We’re here to embrace growth.”

Each day is a chance to push our limits, experiment without fear, and learn from what works and what doesn’t. The joy is in seeing our own progress, one step at a time.

Growth initiatives

To go deeper on skills, I started Design Mastery Sessions every Sunday. We dig into specific design topics, review and redesign earlier submissions, and learn from industry professionals and seasoned designers. I also host Twitter Spaces, where participants talk in real time about design trends, industry challenges and their own experiences.

Managing it all

So, the elephant in the room: how do I manage work, the community and my own participation in the challenge? It’s a juggling act, I won’t deny it. Late nights, tight deadlines and countless cups of coffee have become my companions. But the impact on the community makes it worth it. The sleepless nights are a small price when I see the enthusiasm and growth in the group.

We’re only on day 6, and it’s already been a journey of creativity, consistency, accountability and growth. We’re pushing boundaries and discovering what we’re capable of as designers.

Some standout submissions so far

Let’s keep thriving as a Design Clan, one challenge at a time.

First published on Medium, June 2023.