Ready to get creative?
#The100DayProject is a *free* global art project that takes place online 🎨
Every year, thousands of people all around the world commit to 100 days of creating. Anyone can participate (yes, that means you!).
The idea is simple: choose a creative project, do it every single day for 100 days, and share your process on social using the hashtag #The100DayProject.
The next round of the project will start on February 18, 2024 (but any day is a great day to join in!).
Here’s how to play:
STEP 1: Sign up for the newsletter 🚨
Everything you ever wanted to know about the project delivered straight to your inbox, including important project updates, inspiration, events, and more 🗞️
STEP 2: Join the community 👯
Follow us on Instagram @dothe100dayproject. While you’re there, search the hashtag #The100DayProject to find and follow other folks participating so we can cheer each other on. And for those of you on Facebook, you can join our group here 🎨
STEP 3: Choose your project 📍
Pick something you want to do every day for the 100 days of the project. You'll post each instance of 100 on your Instagram account with the hashtag #The100DayProject. What can you do? Anything at all! Paint, draw, dance, knit, doodle, sing, brush your teeth. More on what makes a good project in the FAQ section 👏
STEP 4: Announce your project 🎙
Let your friends and followers on Instagram know that you're doing the project. Tag your announcement with #The100DayProject so that other people doing the project can find you, and add your own unique hashtag for your project so that all of your posts will sit nicely together. Include both hashtags on every post ＃
STEP 5: Get ready 🎙
Organize your tools (that's whatever you need to do your project) and make space in your calendar. Starting February 13th, do your project and post every day until May 24th. It's okay if you miss a day! Keep going. However many days it takes you to do your project is perfect 💯
Questions? More here:
1. What makes a good project?
So many things! Depends on what you're looking to get out of it. Want to build your portfolio? Write a book? Practice a skill or get better at using a tool? Just have fun? Get clear on your motivations and goals.
Once you have an idea, here are some practical tips:
Make sure you can do it in 5-10 minutes a day. More time is nice if you have it, but if it's a really time-consuming project you probably won't do it every day.
Make sure the tools you need to do your project are accessible and portable. Will it fit in your purse or backpack? Can you travel with it (you know, when we can travel again)? They should also be financially accessible – there's no reason you have to buy an expensive new tool (unless you really want to and it’s in your budget).
Pick something generative. For example, one year Lindsay pulled a tarot card every day. When Michael Bierut started the project, he drew an image every day based on a photo in The New York Times. What's something that can help do the deciding for you?
Then whatever project you choose, think about how you can make it easier and more fun! You’re more likely to follow through if it’s something you look forward to doing.
2. Can you give individual feedback on my project idea?
No, sorry. See above for tips on picking a good project. You can watch last year's Q&A here for more on what makes a good project.
3. But what if I have no idea what to do?
What are you curious about? What do you love to do just because? What do you want to get better at? Brainstorm with a friend or make a list of ideas. What have other people done that you find interesting? Or maybe your project is 100 days of figuring out what to do. That's cool! Another good place to start is by thinking about what you want to get out of doing the project.
4. Why should I do the project?
We’re not that into should around here. Do you want to do the project? That’s a great reason. Other great reasons: because taking five minutes out of the day to do something just because you love it is pretty radical. Because creative confidence is earned through practice. Because inspiration shows up when you do. Or just…because you feel the pull.
5. What makes a good hashtag?
Something unique and specific. The first year I did the project my hashtag was #100DaysOfPhotography, which was neither unique nor specific (oops). If I want to find those posts, I have to scroll all the way back to 2015. A lifetime ago! Search what you're thinking about using and see what shows up. You might want to try something else if it already has a lot of posts. We can't stop someone else from using your hashtag.
If you're new to hashtags, read Instagram's FAQ here. For questions about how to use Instagram, please visit their help center.
And if the hashtag thing is throwing you off, just skip it. No big deal.
6. What if I'm not on Instagram?
Then you're not on Instagram! That's okay. You can choose to sign up or post on another platform instead. Take a picture just for yourself. Do what works for you. And…part of the project is putting your work out there.
7. What if I'm not an Artist?
Ooh, trick question. Anyone can be an artist. You don’t have to think of yourself as one (yet), or even think of yourself as being particularly creative. A lot of us have complicated relationships with our creativity. We’ll work on it. You just have a desire to work on something and a willingness to commit to it for 100 days.
8. How do I register or sign up for the project?
There’s no official registration – just announce your project on your own social feed and sign up for the newsletter to get updates.
9. What if I miss the start date?
Any day is a good day to start your own #The100DayProject. Try reaching out to a few friends or posting on the social platform of your choice looking for co-participants.
10. Is it okay to change my project once I start?
Anything is okay, it's your project. The rules are made up. Here's the deal: sometimes it's worthwhile to work through something. Sometimes it's better to cut your losses and walk away. What's right for you right now? Only you can know.
11. Can I do works in progress?
Of course. Lots of people do works in progress! You don’t have to complete a new work every day, the idea is to work on it every day.
12. What if I miss a day?
Most people miss a day (or a lot of days 😉). Sometimes people take a year or two to finish their project. However many days it takes you to do your project is perfect. Don't stress, do what you can, and have fun with it. This isn't meant to make you feel bad. Make it work for you.
13. Who started #The100DayProject?
Michael Bierut! Read his reflections on the project or listen to our interview with him here. Elle Luna and friends brought it to Instagram in 2014 and Lindsay started co-leading with Elle in 2017.
14. What if I have other questions?
Most answers can be found here, by signing up for the newsletter, joining or watching the Q&A, following @lindsayjeanthomson, or looking up the hashtag #the100dayproject on Instagram. The Facebook group is also a good resource.
15. I thought the project was free, but it looks like the newsletter costs money?
The project is 100% free and you don’t have to be a paid subscriber of the newsletter to participate – it’s totally optional. You can get the free version of the newsletter, which still has lots of great resources.
16. What are the perks of becoming a paid subscriber?
A daily creative prompt for all 100 days of the project, 50% off online events, access to 200+ past prompts, and so much gratitude for supporting the project.
17. I signed up for an event, how do I get the link to attend or the event recording?
If you signed up for an event, please check your email (including spam) for any event notifications from Eventbrite (including meeting links and recordings). Event recordings are typically only available for a limited time and specific details about each event are always on the event's ticket page.
18. I’m a paid subscriber, where can I see the posts?
During the project (starting on Day 1), you’ll get an email every day with that day’s prompt. You can also access all past prompts at the100dayproject.substack.com as long as you’re signed into your account. All 100 posts from the 2023 project can be found here.
19. How do I cancel my subscription?
If you’d like to cancel your subscription at any time, here’s how to do that. Please note that subscriptions auto-renew. Substack will send you an email reminder a week before annual auto-renewals. If your renewal went through or for any other reason you’d like to cancel, send me an email and I will process a pro-rated refund for you.
20. How can I support the project?
We're so glad you asked! Spread the word! Tell people you're doing the project and invite them to participate too. Our vision is to champion creativity. We hope to motivate people to pursue the practices that give them joy and help them feel safe to express and share their creativity.
The project is and always has been free, but if you'd like to chip in to help support the time, money, and resources it takes to run it, consider becoming a paying subscriber of the newsletter. Paid subscribers get access to fun bonus content and resources, including daily creative prompts for all 100 days of the project.
