Sharpen
Random design briefs with a countdown attached, for when the problem is not skill but having nothing to work on.
Opens in a new tab. We do not control this site and it may have changed since we catalogued it.
How to get the most from it
Sharpen sits in Design Challenges under Make, filed as coffee break.
- Set aside five to fifteen minutes and give it your proper attention.
- It works on a phone or a desktop, so open it on whatever is nearest.
- It works with the sound off, so it is fine on a train or in a quiet office.
- No account needed — you can start without signing up.
- Go in expecting something useful, clever and competitive.
About this category: Kerning trials, alignment tests, colour matching and spot-the-difference for interface designers. Humbling in a useful way.
Good for
- Filling a coffee break properly
- Getting something practical done
- Being impressed by a clever idea
- Chasing a better score
- A quiet break at your desk
- Killing time on your phone
- Trying it with zero commitment
Sharpen: quick answers
Is Sharpen free?
Yes. Sharpen is free to use and needs no account.
Do I need an account to use Sharpen?
No. You can use Sharpen without signing up for anything.
Does Sharpen work on a phone?
Yes. Sharpen works on phones as well as desktop browsers.
Is Sharpen safe for work?
Yes, we file it as safe for work. It also works muted.
How long does Sharpen take?
We file it as "Coffee break": Five to fifteen minutes of proper attention.
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