Project Cutie Euler

The Idea

Project Euler has always felt different from most competitive programming platforms. The problems are less about speed and more about exploration, mathematics, and finding elegant solutions. After spending time solving problems there, I started wondering if all that progress could become something visual instead of remaining a number on a profile page. That idea eventually became Project Cutie Euler.

The goal is simple: transform Project Euler progress into pixel art. Instead of viewing solved problems as entries in a list, I want each solved problem to reveal part of a larger image. Every accepted solution becomes a pixel, and over time those pixels should come together to form a complete portrait.

The Blueprint

The project is based on a custom pixel-art image that acts as the target. I converted an anime character into a low-resolution grid and mapped each pixel to a specific Project Euler problem. Solved problems will illuminate their corresponding pixels while unsolved problems remain blank. As the solve count increases, the image should gradually appear one piece at a time.

This isn’t the final image. It’s simply the blueprint that determines which problems need to be solved and where each solved problem appears on the canvas.

The Challenge

The concept is straightforward, but the execution is not. While the earlier Project Euler problems can often be solved relatively quickly, the later ones become significantly more demanding. Some may take hours, some days, and some could remain unsolved for a long time. Progress will likely slow down as the image grows, making every new pixel increasingly valuable.

I’ve reset my Project Euler account and started from zero so the entire image can be built from the beginning. Every solved problem contributes directly to the artwork, turning progress into something visible rather than just another statistic.

Why?

Competitive programming platforms usually measure progress through rankings, scores, and completion percentages. I wanted to create something that feels a little more personal. Instead of watching a number increase, I get to watch an image slowly emerge from hundreds of hours of problem solving.

What I like most about this project is how it combines two completely different interests. Project Euler is built around mathematics, algorithms, and logical thinking, while pixel art is built around visual design and creativity. Project Cutie Euler sits somewhere in the middle, using one to create the other.

The Journey

The image won’t appear overnight. It will take hundreds of solved problems and likely many months of work before the full picture becomes recognizable. At first it will look like a random collection of coloured pixels, but over time the structure should emerge and the portrait will slowly come to life.

Whether I eventually complete all 750+ planned solves or not, the project itself is already accomplishing its purpose. Every solved problem leaves a visible mark, turning progress into something that can be seen rather than simply counted.

Started in May 2026. Still drawing.