Week 1 Challenge: A Fresh Start
New Years is a magical thing. It is the one time of the year everyone across the whole world pauses, symbolically closes a chapter, and begins anew. What has happened in 2024 is behind us and we have a fresh new canvas to build upon.
The new year is filled with so much potential. It gives us the ability to reset, reflect, and reimagine everything and anything within our lives. It’s the perfect time to ignore the noise and focus on what truly matters. And that’s what the first creative challenge of the year is focused on. We are embracing simplicity and exploring our creative fresh start.
The Challenge Prompt
For the first challenge of 2025, we invite you to create something that represents a fresh start. This could take many forms:
A clean slate.
The beginning of a new chapter.
The first small step toward something bigger.
Use simplicity or minimalism as your guide—strip everything down to the essentials and let that be your creative anchor.
Creative Examples to Inspire You
No matter your medium or creative practice, here are a few ideas to help you get started:
Visual Artists
Create a minimalist piece using only one or two colors. Think of it as a visual reset—what story can you tell with less?
Writers
Write a short story or poem about a character taking their first step into the unknown. How does it feel to embrace the unfamiliar?
Designers
Explore a “clean slate” aesthetic. Experiment with white space, a limited palette, or stripped-down typography to convey clarity and intention.
Musicians
Compose a simple melody with just a few notes or instruments, evoking a sense of calm and new beginnings.
Optional: Reflect
Once you’ve created your piece, take a moment to reflect:
What does a fresh start mean to you, personally or creatively?
How does simplicity or minimalism shape the way you approached this challenge?
Consider sharing your reflection alongside your work to add depth to your creative expression.
Closing Encouragement
As we step into this new year, remember: you don’t have to have everything figured out all at once. Creativity, like life, is a journey of small, intentional steps. This week’s challenge is your invitation to take that first step, embracing the beauty of starting fresh.
We can’t wait to see where this challenge takes you. Share your work with the Simplex Minds community by tagging us and using the hashtag #SimplexChallenge. Let’s celebrate this fresh start together.
What does your fresh start look like? Pick up your tools, clear the clutter, and create something new this week. The journey begins here.