Custom 3D model preview
Create Custom, Personalized 3D Models
Get Models

How to Participate in the #MadeUpCountry Creator Challenge

|Jaseel S

The #MadeUpCountry Challenge by Travel Animator gives creators an opportunity to turn imagination into engaging travel content. Instead of recreating existing countries, you can combine states, regions, or even multiple countries to design a completely fictional destination and showcase it through an animated map video.

Whether you’re a travel creator, geography enthusiast, frequent traveller, or someone who enjoys experimenting with maps, this challenge offers a fun way to create engaging travel content while competing for rewards. Participants are already earning money through the challenge, and you could be the next creator to win a share of the $1000 reward pool.

This article explains how to join the #MadeUpCountry Challenge and Win Up to $1000 with TravelAnimator in easy steps.

What is the #MadeUpCountry Challenge?

The #MadeUpCountry Challenge is a creator campaign that encourages users to design and share their own customized countries using TravelAnimator.

There are no strict rules on how your country should look. You can merge locations that normally don’t belong together. You might combine one country with another, connect several regions into a new nation, or even redesign your dream version of the world.

The challenge is open to everyone and doesn’t require professional editing skills. All you need is the TravelAnimator app, a creative idea, and an Instagram account to publish your reel.

How to Participate in the #MadeUpCountry Challenge

Step 1: Create Your Made-Up Country

  • Open TravelAnimator and search for locations that you want to combine.
  • You can merge one country with another country, connect multiple countries together, or combine states and regions to design an entirely new place. 
  • Once you’ve selected the locations, proceed to the Preview screen to see how your custom country looks on the map.

Step 2: Highlight Your Country

  • After creating, open the Highlight option in the Preview screen.
  • TravelAnimator allows you to customize how your country appears by selecting different highlight styles, colours, and map fill effects. You can choose bright colours to make your map stand out, or use subtle shades for a cleaner, more elegant look.
  • Experiment with different combinations until your country’s animation looks exactly as you imagined.

Step 3: Design a Cover That Stops the Scroll

  • A good cover image can make a huge difference when someone discovers your reel on Instagram.
  • TravelAnimator offers multiple cover image templates to make your video look more professional and attractive. Browse through the available designs and select one that best represents your country.
  • An eye-catching cover increases the chances of viewers tapping on your reel and exploring your content.

Step 4: Export and Share Your Reel

  • Once everything looks perfect, export your video and upload it to Instagram as a Reel.
  • TravelAnimator automatically provides a prefilled caption containing #MadeUpCountry and @travelanimator.app, making it easier to participate in the campaign.
  • You can also add your own caption to introduce your fictional country, explain its concept, or tell a short story about what makes it unique.

Step 5: Submit Your Reel

  • After publishing your reel, copy its Instagram link, then return to the Create & Earn section in the TravelAnimator app.
  • Paste the reel link into the submission box and tap Submit.
  • Your entry will then become part of the challenge, giving you a chance to earn rewards and showcase your creativity alongside other participants.

Tips to Make Your Made-Up Country Stand Out

  • Use destinations that genuinely reflect your travel experiences or places you’ve always wanted to visit. Audiences often connect more with content that feels personal and authentic.
  • Highlight locations that share a common theme, such as your favourite beach destinations, countries visited during a backpacking trip, or places known for their food, culture, or adventure activities.
  • Add a meaningful title to your reel that represents your journey, such as My Southeast Asia Adventure, Dream European Road Trip, or Places That Changed Me.
  • Include a short caption or story about why these destinations matter to you. Sharing a memorable experience, a favourite activity, or a travel goal can make your reel more relatable and engaging.
  • Use highlight colours and cover images that match the mood of your trip. Warm tones work well for summer vacations, while cooler shades can complement mountain escapes or winter adventures.
  • Focus on telling a simple travel story through your animation, whether it’s revisiting past memories, planning a future itinerary, or showcasing destinations that inspired you the most.

Why Creators Are Joining the Challenge

Travel creators are always looking for new ways to engage audiences, experiment with fresh ideas, and monetize their content.

The #MadeUpCountry Challenge provides an opportunity to do all three.

Participants can showcase their creativity, reach new viewers on Instagram, and become part of an active creator community. More importantly, creators are already earning money through this campaign, proving that unique ideas can turn into real rewards. Whether you’re a seasoned content creator or someone making travel animations for fun, the challenge offers a chance to learn new features, gain visibility, and potentially win part of the $1000 reward pool.

Enter the Challenge and Start Creating Today

With TravelAnimator, you can combine locations, customize highlights, choose attention-grabbing cover images, and turn your ideas into engaging animated reels within minutes. Whether you’re sharing places you’ve visited, planning future adventures, or simply experimenting with creative map designs, the #MadeUpCountry Challenge gives you an opportunity to showcase your storytelling skills and reach a wider audience.

After creating your reel, share it on Instagram, submit the post link through the Create & Earn section in the app, and become part of a growing community of creators who are already earning rewards through the challenge.

Don’t miss your chance to win a share of the $1000 reward pool. Download TravelAnimator App from the App Store or the Play Store, open it, design your own country, dream destination, or travel-inspired map, and join the #MadeUpCountry Challenge today.

Jaseel S
Written byJaseel S
CEO & Founder, Lascade

Jaseel S is the CEO and founder of Lascade, the app studio behind Travel Animator. He leads a team of 40+ engineers and designers building consumer mobile apps.