You don’t need permission to build something you love. ✨
Whether it’s a comic, a zine, a bold side hustle, or just an idea that won’t leave you alone, your own passion project deserves more than just space in your daydreams.
This blog is for that idea—and you. 🫶
Maybe you’re a student exploring a Genius Hour topic, a designer chasing your creative spark, or someone finally making time for a long-held dream. No matter where you’re starting from, a little structure can go a long way. The right passion project template can boost your critical thinking, clarify your project goals, and help you better understand the work that matters most to you.
These 15 templates are built to help you work smarter, not harder, by offering just enough structure to support your creativity, without boxing it in. With the key features to organize, prioritize, and stay inspired, you’ll protect your passion project time and make real progress on something that truly matters to you.
15 Passion Project Templates to Stay Inspired
What Are Passion Project Templates?
A passion project template is a pre-designed framework that helps you plan, organize, and track a personal or creative project from start to finish, which you can download for convenience.
Instead of starting with a blank page (or worse, no plan at all), these templates give your ideas a home. They often include sections for goal-setting, brainstorming, timelines, and activities that encourage critical thinking and long-term planning.
Whether you’re writing a book, building an app, or designing a comic, these templates support a deeper understanding of your project process, helping you learn while you build.
And if your idea eventually becomes a business or part of your personal development journey? Even better. 🛠️
🎉 Fun Fact: Minecraft was created by Markus Persson during nights and weekends while working full-time. It was never meant to be huge—just fun.
➡️ Build the game. Sketch the idea. Launch the thing. The rest can come later.
📮 Insight: Around 90% of people set goals related to health or career growth, but passion projects and hobbies often fall by the wayside.
But fun ideas deserve the spotlight, too. Jot them down on Notepad or sketch them out via Whiteboards, and actually finish those creative projects you’ve been “getting around to” for months. All you need is a plan. 🤓💫 Real Results: users say they can take on ~10% more work—including the fun kind—since switching to the tool.
15 Passion Project Templates to Stay Inspired 🎨🚀
We’ve rounded up 15 of the best templates to help you get your ideas out of your head and into action on any subject. Whether you’re building a portfolio, writing a screenplay, or designing your dream game, there’s a template here to guide your flow, without slowing your creativity.
Start anywhere. Modify everything. Finish strong and give your passion project the structure it deserves.
1. Creative Project Plan Template
Creative projects can get messy—fast. With so many moving parts, shifting ideas, and multiple collaborators, it’s easy to lose track of what’s what. The Creative Project Plan Template brings structure to that chaos with one central place to brainstorm, plan, assign tasks, and track everything from kickoff to final delivery.
It’s built to help designers, writers, makers, and side hustlers stay in sync, maintain the creative vision, and hit deadlines without stress.
Why it’s perfect for your next project
- Organize your full process: Break projects into clear stages like ideation, production, review, and delivery—so no one’s ever wondering what’s next
- Custom task statuses: Tailor phases like “Drafting,” “Client Review,” and “Final Edits” to match your team’s flow
- Keep creative briefs in one place: Store mood boards, references, and project goals where everyone can find them and stay aligned from day one
- Visualize timelines & milestones: Use Gantt charts to map deadlines and dependencies (and spot roadblocks early)
- Collaborate on feedback: Share edits, comments, and approvals without losing anything in the inbox void
- Manage creative assets: Attach images, videos, copy, and design files directly to tasks—so handoffs are smooth
- Stay on top of reviews: Automate reminders to keep feedback loops moving and approvals on time
- Track progress with ease: Use dashboards to monitor project health and make smarter decisions as you go
🎯 Ideal for: Creatives juggling fast-moving projects or solo side hustles with lots of inspiration and even more ideas.
💡 Pro Tip: Use task dependencies to reduce decision fatigue. When tasks are linked in a sequence, you always know what to do next—no overthinking required.
2. Ideation Whiteboard Template
The best ideas usually start messy—and that’s exactly what this template is built for. The Ideation Whiteboard Template gives you an infinite digital canvas to explore every spark of inspiration, from comic book characters to side hustle product names to science fair prototypes.
Whether you’re brainstorming your next short film, building a classroom project from scratch, or planning your dream nonprofit, this is your creative launchpad.
Why it’s perfect for your next project
- Infinite brainstorming space: Capture ideas with sticky notes, shapes, freehand sketches, or anything in between
- Live collaboration: Multiple teammates (or classmates) can interact in real time, perfect for remote collabs or school teams
- Mind maps & diagrams: Build concept webs, flowcharts, or frameworks to untangle big ideas
- Turn ideas into action: Instantly convert brainstormed thoughts into tasks to keep momentum going
- Flexible layouts: Start with templates for SWOT, user journeys, or affinity mapping—or make your own
- Vote & prioritize: Sort through creative clutter, gather feedback, and choose what moves forward
- Link to execution plans: Connect your brainstorm directly to timelines, project boards, or production sprints
🎯 Ideal for: Students preparing Genius Hour boards, storytellers mapping character arcs, startup founders planning features, or anyone turning scattered thoughts into structured next steps.
📖 Read more: 🎓 Working on a school project or side hustle for class?
Check out these resources:
3. Drawing Whiteboard Template
Some ideas just need to be drawn out—literally. The Drawing Whiteboard Template allows you to sketch, illustrate, and visualize concepts with no structure holding you back. Whether you’re drafting scenes for your comic book, mapping out an indie game interface, or freehanding a personal mind map, this space helps you think visually and creatively.
It’s especially powerful for passion projects where visuals matter more than words.
Why it’s perfect for your next project
- Sketch freely: Use drawing tools to diagram, prototype, or storyboard anything—from UI flows to creative ideas
- Add multimedia context: Drop in images, icons, or text to support your visuals
- Organize with layers: Group elements and work in layers to manage complex drawings more easily
- Collaborate in real time: Co-create, edit, and annotate with your team—even from across the world
- Share your work: Export whiteboards as images or PDFs for client presentations or documentation
- Reuse templates: Save boards for future use in recurring workshops or training sessions
🎯 Ideal for: Visual thinkers building comics, video games, prototypes, or artistic timelines—and anyone who maps ideas better with a pen than a keyboard.
💡 Pro Tip: In , you can break your passion project into Milestones over the course of the week, not just tasks. Milestones give you mini “wins” to celebrate and track momentum across the big picture.
4. Project Management Template
If your passion project is turning into a serious side hustle (or a future full-time gig), this one’s for you. Whether you’re managing a solo podcast launch or juggling volunteer initiatives, the Project Management Template keeps your work structured and flexible.
Because staying organized shouldn’t mean sacrificing creativity.
Why it’s perfect for your next project
- Break down projects: Create task lists and subtasks with owners, deadlines, and priorities
- Custom workflows: Build agile boards, waterfall phases, or anything in between
- Visual timelines: Use Gantt charts to manage dependencies and meet deadlines
- Real-time dashboards: Track progress, team workload, and KPIs in one view
- Smart resource management: Assign work based on availability—even if it’s just you
- Automations & alerts: Keep momentum going with reminders, triggers, and recurring tasks
- Risk & issue tracking: Identify blockers early—and stay ahead of them
- Centralized assets: Attach files, docs, and links so you have everything you need in one spot
🎯 Ideal for: Side-hustlers, freelancers, or indie makers juggling multiple ideas and responsibilities without a dedicated team.
🧐 Did You Know? A cluttered digital space can be as mentally draining as a messy desk. Organizing tasks, docs, and assets into one workspace reduces context-switching fatigue.
5. High-Level Project Plan Template
Not all passion projects are casual—some come with big goals and long-term ambition. This High-Level Project Plan Template helps you zoom out, stay focused on milestones, and make progress without micromanaging every step.
Whether it’s a solo documentary or launching your app, this is your strategy board.
Why it’s perfect for your next project
- Track milestones & goals: Highlight major deliverables and track their status at a glance
- Executive-ready views: Summarize timelines, risks, and progress in clean, high-level dashboards
- Custom KPIs: Add budget, resource, or performance fields tailored to your project
- Timeline visualizations: Use Gantt charts to lay out your full project path from kickoff to delivery
- Stakeholder updates: Share clean reports with collaborators or supporters, without overwhelming them
- Link to deeper plans: Jump to granular tasks and roadmaps when needed
- Change log visibility: Track key updates and decision points with transparency
🎯 Ideal for: Creatives pitching their project for funding, founders building toward launch, or anyone needing a bird’s-eye view to stay on track.
📖 Want to take your planning even further? Explore:
6. Project Charter Template
Every passion project starts with a “why.” Whether you’re starting a grassroots magazine, launching a personal research initiative, or collaborating on a community arts project, the Project Charter Template helps you define your purpose and lock in clarity from day one.
Because alignment shouldn’t be an afterthought—it should be your first step.
Why it’s perfect for your next project
- Define purpose & goals: Clarify your project’s mission and expected outcomes from the start
- Set clear scope: Outline what’s included (and what’s not) to prevent scope creep
- List stakeholders: Identify sponsors, team members, or collaborators so there’s no guesswork
- Anticipate risks: Flag issues early and outline mitigation plans
- Capture approvals: Secure sign-offs before execution starts to keep things official
- Link supporting docs: Add contracts, timelines, and plans for quick reference
- Track changes: Document how the scope or strategy may evolve throughout the project
🎯 Ideal for: Passion-driven teams, solo builders, or creators launching a project that requires buy-in, whether from a client, grant reviewer, or your future self.
7. Project Management Playbook Template
Want your passion project to feel less like a weekend hobby and more like a well-oiled machine? The Project Management Playbook Template becomes your project’s operating manual—perfect for creative collectives or side hustlers ready to scale.
Your process. Your way. Documented and repeatable.
Why it’s perfect for your next project
- Step-by-step guides: Document each phase of your workflow, from kickoff to post-mortem
- Reusable checklists & templates: Keep standard docs like risk logs and meeting notes ready to go
- Centralized resource hub: Link policies, tools, training, and templates for fast onboarding
- Custom sections: Tailor the playbook to your team’s process and language
- Always up to date: Easily revise and evolve your workflows as your project grows
- Supports onboarding: Use it as a training tool for collaborators or future teammates
🎯 Ideal for: Founders of creative collectives, nonprofit leaders, or long-term project builders who want to document what works and teach others to run with it.
🧐 Did You Know?
Creative minds tend to be nonlinear—using a Whiteboard or visual layout activates more idea connections than text lists alone.
Organized thinkers benefit from Custom Fields like “Energy Level” or “Estimated Time,” helping them work with their bandwidth instead of against it.
8. Planning a Project Template
Great passion projects don’t just happen—they’re designed with intention. The Planning a Project Template helps you lay the foundation before you dive in. Whether you’re publishing a poetry book, restoring vintage furniture, or planning a community event, this keeps your process thoughtful and focused.
Dreaming big starts with planning smart.
Why it’s perfect for your next project
- Define goals & scope: Make sure everyone’s aligned on what you’re building and why
- Map out timelines: Use milestones and dependencies to plan the whole journey
- Assign resources: Match tasks with the right people, tools, and budget
- Assess risks early: Spot red flags before they become blockers
- Break down tasks: Turn big goals into manageable work packages
- Communicate clearly: Set expectations and updates through stakeholder plans
- Document constraints: Capture assumptions and limitations to avoid surprises
🎯 Ideal for: Thoughtful creatives and self-starters who want to build with purpose, from idea to execution, without losing steam.
🎉 Fun Fact: Your brain gets a dopamine hit from checking off even the tiniest task—yes, even “make mood board.”
9. Project Checklist Template
Some passion projects just need a satisfying system, such as a checklist. The Project Checklist Template helps you break things down, stay on track, and feel the momentum build with every checked box—whether you’re prepping for a solo art exhibition or running a recurring podcast.
Because progress isn’t just productivity—it’s personal.
Why it’s perfect for your next project
- Pre-built & custom checklists: Start fast or build your own from scratch
- Status tracking: See what’s done, what’s in progress, and what’s blocked at a glance
- Visual progress: Quickly track completion percentages to stay motivated
- Reminders & alerts: Never miss a deadline—or a tiny-but-crucial step
- Reusable for recurring work: Clone checklists for onboarding, QA, events, and more
- Task linking: Connect items to tasks, docs, or assets for deeper execution
- Assign ownership: Make sure every box has a name next to it
🎯 Ideal for: Creators managing detailed, repeatable steps—like indie game devs, podcasters, or event planners who crave structure without the stress.
💡 Pro Tip: Combine your whiteboard brainstorm with the Project Checklist Template. Once you’ve sketched out what excites you, break it into simple, achievable steps to keep moving.
10. Creative Project Timeline Template
Deadlines can feel overwhelming, but with a creative timeline, they become milestones you look forward to. The Creative Project Timeline Template helps you see the big picture at a glance and keep things moving, whether you’re launching a webcomic, prepping a portfolio, or producing a short film.
Plan it out. Pace yourself. Create with confidence.
Why it’s perfect for your next project
- Visual timelines & Gantt views: Plot every phase, deadline, and dependency
- Highlight critical paths: See how work connects—and what’s at risk of delay
- Track progress in real time: Get status updates without chasing anyone
- Attach briefs & assets: Keep files and creative references right where you need them
- Built-in collaboration: Leave feedback, approvals, and updates directly on timeline items
- Flexible rescheduling: Shift dates or tasks easily as plans evolve
- Celebrate milestones: Mark key moments to boost morale and motivation
🎯 Ideal for: Visual creatives, writers, or makers with passion projects that evolve in phases and need a roadmap to stay on track.
📖 Read more: Setting long-term goals for your passion project? These can help make sense of your direction:
11. Project Timeline Whiteboard Template
Some plans aren’t made in spreadsheets—they’re sketched out in real time. The Project Timeline Whiteboard Template is perfect for those “thinking out loud” moments where your idea flows visually. It blends structure and freedom so your timeline works your way.
When sticky notes meet strategy—this is what you get.
Why it’s perfect for your next project
- Drag-and-drop timelines: Visually build and rearrange project phases, tasks, and deadlines on the fly
- Custom layouts & color coding: Highlight risks, priorities, and stages with simple visual cues
- Live team collaboration: Plan and adjust timelines together—remote-friendly and fully interactive
- Task linking: Connect milestones and deliverables to show how things depend on each other
- Export & share: Turn your Whiteboard into a PDF or image for easy presentation or stakeholder updates
- task integration: Instantly convert whiteboard items into trackable tasks
- Comment & annotate: Leave notes, gather feedback, and make changes transparently
🎯 Ideal for: Teams that love flexible, visual planning—especially for projects that evolve often or need frequent stakeholder alignment.
💡 Pro Tip: Always set a definition of done—even for personal goals. This avoids the trap of perfectionism and lets you move forward with clarity.
12. Student Project Planning Template
Whether you’re building a model for your science fair or curating your first zine, student-led projects are a creative goldmine. The Student Project Planning Template helps you juggle deadlines, ideas, and collaboration—without the last-minute scramble.
Because even school assignments can turn into something you love.
Why it’s perfect for your next project
- Organize academic phases: Break work into stages like research, drafting, editing, and submission
- Track deadlines & milestones: Stay on top of due dates and reduce last-minute panic
- Store notes & references: Keep all research links, citations, and ideas handy
- Visual progress tracking: Spot what’s done—and what needs attention
- Group collaboration: Assign tasks, leave comments, and track group contributions in one place
- Submission checklists: Make sure every requirement is ticked off before turning in your work
🎯 Ideal for: Students working on class projects, Genius Hour explorations, or college applications that double as creative showcases.
💡 Pro Tip: When you hit resistance, switch views. If the List feels overwhelming, jump to the Whiteboard. Changing formats can change how you think about the work.
13. Creative & Design Template
Design work thrives on iteration. Whether you’re launching a personal brand, sketching comic pages, or planning a print drop, the Creative & Design Template gives you the tools to build, refine, and ship—without breaking your flow.
Because messy drafts still deserve a killer system.
Why it’s perfect for your next project
- Visual workflows: Track design stages from concept to review to delivery
- Asset organization: Store design files, mockups, and resources with version control
- Feedback-friendly tools: Leave comments, markup visuals, and manage revisions in one spot
- Custom statuses & tags: Label by priority, type, or client to keep things organized
- Tool integration: Link with Figma, Adobe, or your preferred design platforms
- Approval workflows: Streamline sign-offs with automated notifications
- Client-friendly access: Invite stakeholders to review and approve designs without chaos
🎯 Ideal for: Passionate designers, illustrators, and creators juggling passion-fueled side gigs or portfolio projects.
🧐 Did You Know? The first Flappy Bird prototype was coded in just a few hours during a weekend sprint—built without a complete plan, just a burst of curiosity.
Think: Creative & Design Template + passion = viral success. 🚀
14. Storyboard Template
Every story starts somewhere, and the Storyboard Template helps you bring it to life, frame by frame. Whether you’re scripting a short film or plotting out a comic, use this space to organize visuals, dialogue, and flow with creative clarity.
Make your story feel real—before it even exists.
Why it’s perfect for your next project
- Scene-by-scene structure: Add visuals, notes, and scripts to each frame of your story
- Upload sketches & images: Include concept art, thumbnails, or layout ideas for reference
- Timeline sequencing: Arrange and reorder scenes to fine-tune your narrative
- Real-time feedback: Collaborate with your team on scripts, pacing, or visual flow
- Export options: Share the full storyboard for client reviews, approvals, or production
- Task integration: Link storyboard elements to production tasks for a seamless handoff
- Script formatting: Add dialogue, narration, or speaking notes for each frame
- Export to Google Slides: Share your storyboard in a visual presentation format for class, client pitches, or creative reviews
🎯 Ideal for: Filmmakers, animators, educators, and storytellers building rich narratives through side projects or visual passion pieces.
🧐 Did You Know? Pixar’s Toy Story started as a rough storyboard and a handful of character sketches pinned on a wall—proof that visual planning (like the Storyboard Template) can bring whole worlds to life.
15. Promotion Template
Even the best ideas need an audience. If your passion project includes a launch, release, or event, the Promotion Template helps you promote it with clarity. From teaser posts to post-launch retros, every step is mapped out.
Because sharing your work should feel as creative as making it.
Why it’s perfect for your next project
- Campaign workflow boards: Organize everything from strategy to launch to post-mortem
- Task lists for content & design: Assign deliverables, track deadlines, and keep assets aligned
- Calendar views: Plan rollouts and avoid channel conflicts with an easy visual overview
- Performance dashboards: Monitor campaign KPIs and ROI without digging through tools
- Feedback & approval flows: Keep everything moving with built-in review steps
- Brief & report templates: Standardize campaign docs and embed tools like Google Forms for feedback, sign-ups, or submission tracking
- Asset & budget tracking: Stay on top of resources so nothing slips through the cracks
🎯 Ideal for: Creators, indie makers, and side-hustlers who want to promote their work like pros—even if it’s just you in the studio.
You don’t have to turn your passion into profit 🌱.
Creating something just because you love it is reason enough! 💜
What Makes a Good Passion Project Template?
A great passion project template does more than just look good—it supports your entire creative process without getting in the way. Whether you’re working on your own passion projects or guiding students through theirs, the right template should give you structure and space to explore.
So how do you know which one to pick?
Here are the key features to look for:
- Easy customization: You should be able to tweak layouts, fields, and sections to match how you think and work
- Visual clarity: Whether it’s a timeline, checklist, or Kanban board, a clean interface makes your project feel doable, not overwhelming
- Flexible workflows: Choose templates that match your preferred style—like whiteboards for ideation, lists for execution, or timelines for long-term planning
- Built-in guidance: Prompts for goal-setting, critical thinking, and next steps help you stay focused (and finish strong)
- Progress tracking: Checklists, dashboards, or Gantt charts help you stay on schedule—and celebrate wins along the way
- Creative-friendly tools: Bonus if the template includes places to add sketches, embed Google Slides, or store creative assets in one view
And let’s be real: it should feel fun to use. After all, this project’s about joy, not just checkboxes. ✅
📅 Looking for a more structured approach to project planning? Check out our favorite project plan templates to get started.
Your Passion Project Deserves a Plan ✨
Big ideas need more than motivation—they need momentum, especially when you’re trying to reach a specific audience. Whether you’re chasing a dream, building something for yourself, or turning a spark into a side hustle, , the everything app for work, gives you what you need to move from idea to execution in one place.
No more blank pages. No more scattered notes. Just a clear, connected workflow—from brainstorming to planning to launch.
Choose a template. Make it your own. And go create something you’re passionate about—and proud of.
👉 Ready to bring your ideas to life with the all-in-one workspace for creators?
Sign up for and start building your passion project—for free.
Everything you need to stay organized and get work done.
