I was fortunate enough to test a new app from former New York Times digital design director Khoi Vinh before its release today. I also had the opportunity to speak with Khoi about the app and why he made it.

Built for the iPad, Mixel allows users to follow friends, browse, create and share digital collages. Khoi calls these collages Mixels.

What immediately struck me about Mixel is that it was easy enough for a non-artist like me to use, and it was fun. I’m usually not interested in these types of apps because my talent for making a piece of digital art is close to zero. However, I can make a Mixel.

Khoi recognized that there are a lot of people like me out there that may be interested in contributing if the app was simple enough to use. One of the first things he did was look at the other art apps available for the iPad.

“We took a look at as many apps as could get hands on,” Vinh told The Loop. Our conclusion was the apps were either too complex or they really left out the social aspect of it.”

Users can share, like and even love another users Mixel.

You don’t have to start from scratch to use Mixel — you can add or change another user’s Mixel. All of the components can be reused to make your own piece of art.

“We want the doodlers, the photo-book-makers, anyone who loved making art as a kid but along the way, lost the social context that encouraged them to keep creating,” said Vinh. “Mixel is incredibly easy to use and unintimidating, yet at the same time it sparks creativity that many people haven’t tapped since childhood.”

Mixel is a free app available from the App Store.