Ever find yourself wishing your Animal Crossing: New Horizons island felt more like you? Custom designs are the secret to making your world one-of-a-kind, from paths and flags to clothing and furniture. But how do you actually create or use these personal touches?
Whether you’re a seasoned villager or just starting out, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know about custom designs—step-by-step instructions, creative tips, and inspiration to spark your imagination.
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How to Use Custom Designs in Animal Crossing: New Horizons (ACNH)
Custom designs are one of the most creative and addicting features in Animal Crossing: New Horizons. They let you customize your island and personal style with patterns, paths, outfits, carpets, flags, and so much more. If you’ve ever wondered how to make, share, and use these dazzling designs, you’re in the right place!
Below, you’ll find a complete guide to ACNH custom designs: from designing and sharing to applying them around your island paradise. You’ll also learn essential tips to help you get the most out of these artistic possibilities.
What Are Custom Designs in ACNH?
Custom designs are unique pixel art patterns that you (or other players) create or find to personalize every corner of your island. These designs turn into clothing, wallpapers, floor paths, face paint, and decorations. You can make your own or import others’ patterns using special codes.
Custom designs let you:
- Express your creativity with clothing and décor nobody else has.
- Personalize your home, your villagers’ yards, and even your flag.
- Recreate pop culture icons, logos, or completely original works.
The Basics: How to Create and Use Custom Designs
1. Unlocking the Custom Designs App
When you begin ACNH, you’ll quickly receive the Custom Designs app on your NookPhone. This happens in the early stages as part of Tom Nook’s orientation.
- Tip: The app is free, but later upgrades may cost Nook Miles.
2. Accessing and Creating Custom Designs
- Open your NookPhone and tap the Custom Designs app.
- Choose a blank slot and select “Create New.”
- Use the pixel grid to draw your pattern. You can adjust colors freely.
- Save your design and give it a name.
Creative ideas:
– Flags, t-shirt art, tile paths, wallpaper, stall awnings.
3. Upgrading Your Custom Design Tools
Early on, you’re limited to simple patterns. To unlock more complexity:
- Purchase the “Custom Designs Pro Editor” from the Nook Stop (Resident Services) with 800 Nook Miles.
- This lets you create:
- Pro designs, like hats, dresses, and more elaborate clothing
- Even finer detail, with extra slots for patterns
4. Sharing and Importing Custom Designs
You can share or use custom designs from others using two main features:
- Custom Design Kiosk (in the Able Sisters’ shop): Enter design codes or creator IDs here.
- Nintendo Switch Online App: Scan QR codes for older patterns from Animal Crossing: New Leaf or Happy Home Designer.
How to Download Others’ Designs
- Visit the Able Sisters’ shop and interact with the Custom Design Kiosk.
- Enter a Creator ID (to see their whole portfolio) or Design ID (for a specific pattern).
- Save designs into your app to use as you like.
Using Custom Designs to Transform Your Island
Custom designs unlock new ways to beautify your environment. Here’s how to use them:
1. Outfits and Fashion
- Shirts, hats, dresses, skirts, jackets, and even shoes!
- Mix and match for themed events, cosplay, or just for fun.
2. Interior and Exterior Design
- Lay floor paths around your island (stone walkways, stepping stones, flower fields, etc.).
- Use designs as “rugs” in your house for extra flair.
- Decorate stall signs, simple panels, umbrellas, and more.
3. Personalized Decor
- Display artwork on easels or as wall hangings.
- Create custom signs for shops, beaches, gardens.
- Make unique flags for your island.
4. Interactive Island Experiences
- Set up treasure hunts or mazes with unique tiles.
- Create games, hopscotch, or fun guides for visitors.
The Benefits of Using Custom Designs
Custom designs are more than just pretty patterns—they’re powerful tools for expression and community.
- Uniqueness: No two islands look the same when you dive into custom designs.
- Community connections: Share your favorite patterns, support creators, and find inspiration for your own work.
- Endless possibilities: With countless options for clothing, flooring, and décor, your creativity has no limits.
- Event celebrations: Make holiday outfits for events like Bunny Day, Halloween, or cherry blossom season.
Challenges and How to Overcome Them
Using custom designs is a blast, but you might face some hurdles. Here’s how to tackle them:
1. Limited Design Slots
- The game gives you a limited number of slots for custom designs.
- Solution: Periodically delete unused patterns and save your favorites outside the game using screenshots.
2. Pixel Restrictions
- Designs are made on a pixel grid, which can make detailed art tricky.
- Solution: Check out online design editors (search for pixel art tools) to plan before you draw in-game.
3. Importing Designs Can Be Tricky
- Using QR codes from older games requires the Nintendo Switch Online app.
- Tip: Practice scanning codes, and use stable Wi-Fi to avoid frustration.
4. Time Consumption
- Large or detailed patterns (like custom sidewalks or murals) can take hours.
- Advice: Start with small projects, or borrow existing codes from creators.
Tips and Best Practices for Custom Design Success
1. Get Inspired
- Browse galleries and social media for cool patterns.
- Many talented designers share their Creator IDs—try searching for themes like “fairycore,” “city paths,” or “retro arcade.”
2. Organize Your Design Slots
- Dedicate separate slots for flags, floors, outfits, and signs.
- Regularly review and clean out unused designs to keep room for new finds.
3. Use Preview Modes
- Use “Display on Ground” to preview tiles before placing many of them.
- For paths, test how corners and edges look together for smooth designs.
4. Save Your Favorites
- Screenshot Creator IDs or jot down Design IDs to revisit or recommend designs to friends.
5. Respect Copyright and Community Guidelines
- When sharing designs based on popular franchises or real-life brands, always give credit to the original creators where possible.
- Keep your shared designs friendly and suitable for all players.
How to Find and Use the Best Custom Designs
Players from around the world have made thousands of beautiful designs. Here’s how to access them:
- Visit the Able Sisters’ Custom Design Kiosk.
- Search using keywords, Creator IDs, or Design IDs.
- Explore themed design galleries with fairycore, city life, natural, or pop culture patterns.
- Try popular sites and social groups for collection showcases.
Some popular trends:
– Natural-looking paths (dirt, stone, wooden planks)
– Cottagecore and fairycore accents (mushrooms, flowers)
– Shop and café signs, benches, menu boards
– Indoor tiles for cozy kitchens, bathrooms, or libraries
– National or pride flags, sports jerseys, anime and movie costumes
Budgeting & Cost Tips (Including Shipping)
Custom designs themselves cost nothing but your time and creativity. There’s no in-game cost or microtransaction for using or sharing custom designs. However:
- Some items that display custom designs (like custom stalls or simple panels) may require Bells or materials to craft or buy from stores.
- Downloading from the Able Sisters’ Kiosk is free.
- No shipping fees are involved with custom design sharing—everything is digital!
If you want to “ship” real-world items with your design, remember that’s outside the game’s functionality.
Creative Ideas and Themes for Your Island
Need some inspo? Here are fun ways players use custom designs:
- Nature Themes: Wood, moss, clover, picnic blankets, pebbled paths.
- Urban Streets: Crosswalks, parking lines, drain covers, brick alleys.
- Café & Market Vibes: Customized chalkboard menus, checkout signs, food stall awnings.
- Seasonal Decor: Jack-o’-lantern faces, heart-shaped stepping stones, snowflake patterns.
- Fandom & Pop Culture: Anime cosplays, superhero capes, famous artworks.
- Interactive Areas: Minigame paths, in-game artwork displays, treasure map routes.
Get creative, mix styles, and make your island a true reflection of your personality!
Summary
Custom designs are the heart of Animal Crossing: New Horizons’ vibrant, imaginative community. They transform clothing, décor, paths, and so much more—turning your island into a truly unique space.
With simple tools and a generous creative community sharing patterns, you’ll never run out of inspiration. Take your time to learn, experiment, and don’t be afraid to show off your artistic talent. The best-designed islands are the ones that tell your story!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How do I share my custom design with friends?
To share a design, visit the Custom Design Kiosk in the Able Sisters’ shop. You’ll need a Nintendo Switch Online subscription. Upload your design to receive a code that friends can use to download your creation.
2. Can I use custom designs from other players without their permission?
Yes, designs uploaded to the Kiosk are shared for public use. If someone shares their Creator or Design ID, it’s an invitation to use or display it on your island. Be courteous and give credit when sharing elsewhere.
3. Why can’t I place custom path designs like official paths?
Custom designs are placed as overlays and don’t have the terrain-smoothing feature of official paths. You “paint” them on the ground, so edges and curves require special corner tiles for realistic pathways.
4. Can I update or edit a custom design after sharing?
Yes! When you edit and save a shared design, it updates for everyone who scans your code next—but previous downloads won’t change. For major changes, you may want to create a new design slot.
5. Is there a way to get more custom design slots?
Yes, you can unlock extra slots through the “Custom Designs Pro Editor+” upgrade (available at Resident Services). This increases your storage for both regular and pro designs, allowing you even more creative freedom.
Let your creativity bloom—whether you dress up, redesign your island, or help friends find their dream patterns, custom designs are your key to making Animal Crossing: New Horizons feel truly yours!