What Is Genuary? Your Guide to The Generative Art Challenge

January is synonymous with resolutions, new beginnings, and better habits. For digital artists and coders, January also means it’s time for Genuary, a creative challenge that brings together generative art enthusiasts from around the world.

In this article, we’ll explore what Genuary is all about, how you can participate, and why this unique challenge could transform your skills and give your artistic practice a new angle. Let’s dive in!

digital art piece with the text What is Genuary and a pixel art illustration of a person with blue hair wearing a hoodie and glasses in front of a futuristic cityscape

What is Genuary?

At its core, Genuary is a yearly January art challenge where artists use programming languages like Python, JavaScript, or Processing to generate art. Everything is on the table, from abstract visuals to complex animations. It’s a real celebration of generative art—the practice of creating art through algorithms, coding, or automated systems.

Genuary takes place every January, with new prompts released daily to guide participants’ creations. The challenge is unofficial and community-driven, meaning there are no hard rules, no judges, and no prizes. It’s simply about pushing your boundaries, sharing your work, and connecting with a vibrant community of creators. You can participate every day, pick specific prompts, or even adapt the rules to suit your schedule.

How to participate in Genuary

Joining Genuary is easier than you think. All you need is some curiosity and a way to create art with code. Here’s a quick guide to getting started:

1. Find the prompts

Every year, the official Genuary prompts are posted on the Genuary.art website and shared widely on social media. These prompts provide the framework for your daily creations. Past prompts have ranged from abstract ideas like “No curves” to more challenge ones like “Simulate life.”

2. Start creating

Use any programming language, platform, or tool you’re comfortable with. Common tools for generative art include:

  • Processing: A Java-based creative coding environment.
  • p5.js: A JavaScript library for creating visual art in the browser.
  • Python with Turtle or Matplotlib: For those who prefer Python.
  • Shader programming: For artists interested in real-time graphics.

The beauty of Genuary is that you don’t need a fancy setup or expensive software. Even a simple sketch made in a browser-based tool like OpenProcessing counts.

3. Share your work

Once you’ve completed a piece, share it with the community! Use hashtags like #Genuary2025 (or the current year) and #GenerativeArt to make your work discoverable. Don’t forget to include the specific day’s prompt (e.g., #GenuaryDay1 or #Genuary1) so others can see how you interpreted it.

Check out these forums and platforms for sharing your Genuary creations:

  • Subreddits like /generative and /generativeart are particularly active during Genuary month.
  • x.com is particularly loved by Genuary artists. Share daily with a few notes about what inspired you.
  • Github has a bunch of repositories of people sharing their work - you should try it too!
  • Instagram and TikTok are always a good idea for sharing visual art.

You’ll be surprised how kind and engaged the community of Genuary is. Supportive words and constructive feedback will come your way!

Official Genuary Prompts 2025

official Genuary 2025 prompt list page
Image source: official website

Prompts are the backbone of Genuary. They spark creativity, guide your process, and challenge you to try new techniques. Every year, the prompts are a mix of technical, conceptual, and whimsical ideas. Here’s a the official list of Genuary 2025 prompts from their website:

  • January 1: Vertical and horizontal lines only.
  • January 2: Layers upon layers upon layers.
  • January 3: Exactly 43 lines of code.
  • January 4: Black on black.
  • January 5: Isometric art - no vanishing points.
  • January 6: Make a landscape using only primitive shapes.
  • January 7: Use software that is not intended to create art or images.
  • January 8: Draw one million of something.
  • January 9: The textile design patterns of public transport seating.
  • January 10: You can only use TAU in your code, no other number allowed. TAU = 2 * pi = 6.2831853…
  • January 11: Impossible day - Try to do something that feels impossible for you to do. Maybe it is impossible. Maybe it’s too ambitious. Maybe it’s something you know nothing about how to accomplish.
  • January 12: Subdivision.
  • January 13: Triangles and nothing else. 
  • January 14: Pure black and white. No grey.
  • January 15: Design a rug.
  • January 16: Generative palette.
  • January 17: What happens if pi=4?
  • January 18: What does wind look like?
  • January 19: Op Art.
  • January 20: Generative architecture.
  • January 21: Create a collision detection system (no libraries allowed).
  • January 22: Gradients only.
  • January 23: Inspired by brutalism.
  • January 24: Geometric art - pick either a circle, rectangle, or triangle and use only that geometric shape.
  • January 25: One line that may or may not intersect itself.
  • January 26: Symmetry.
  • January 27: Make something interesting with no randomness or noise or trig.
  • January 28: Infinite scroll.
  • January 29: Grid-based graphic design.
  • January 30: Abstract map.
  • January 31: Pixel sorting.

Each prompt offers flexibility and allows you to interpret it in your own way. For example, “One million of something” could mean a looping animation, a recursive algorithm, or even a musical composition.

You can also get creative and use your own prompts or pull some from a random art prompt generator. 

Why should you participate in Genuary?

Taking part in Genuary can be a game-changer for your creative practice. Here’s why:

  1. Push your limits. Daily prompts encourage you to work outside your comfort zone. You’ll tackle new algorithms, experiment with unfamiliar tools, and develop creative problem-solving skills.
  2. Grow your skills. Generative art involves coding, math, and design principles. By participating in Genuary, you’ll build hands-on experience with concepts like randomness, recursion, and noise functions. Over time, this kind of focused practice will strengthen both your technical and artistic abilities.
  3. Build a portfolio. The pieces you create during Genuary can serve as a portfolio of your generative art work. This can be a great resource for job applications, commissions, or simply showcasing your talents.
  4. Join a community. Genuary isn’t just a solo endeavor. By sharing your work online, you’ll connect with a supportive and diverse community of artists, coders, and designers. You can exchange ideas, learn from others, and gain valuable feedback.
  5. Have fun. Above all, Genuary is a chance to play. The lack of rigid rules and pressure makes it a joy to participate. You’re free to explore, make mistakes, and discover unexpected outcomes.

How to make the most of Genuary

Want to maximize your Genuary experience? Follow these tips:

  1. Prepare before January. Get familiar with your tools before the challenge starts. Set up your development environment, revisit old projects, and explore tutorials on techniques you’d like to try.
  2. Start simple. Don’t overcomplicate your first few prompts. Focus on achievable ideas, then build complexity as you gain momentum.
  3. Stay consistent. While completing all 31 prompts is a great goal, it’s not mandatory. Even if you only participate on weekends or choose 10 prompts, you’re still part of the challenge. Consistency matters more than perfection.
  4. Engage with the community. Comment on others’ work, share your thoughts, and participate in discussions. Social media platforms like Twitter, Instagram, and Mastodon are great for finding fellow participants.
  5. Reflect and iterate. At the end of the month, take time to review your creations. Identify pieces you’d like to refine, and think about what you learned from the process.

Ready to join Genuary?

If you’ve been looking for a way to combine your love of art and code, Genuary is the perfect opportunity. It’s a chance to kick off the year with creativity, challenge yourself in new ways, and connect with a global community of generative artists.

Grab your sketchpad (or keyboard), load up your favorite coding tool, and start exploring. Who knows? You might just create something that surprises you—and inspires others. Let’s make this January a truly generative one!