Earning
Points

From Beginner to Black Belt

The Design Dojo uses a unique points-based system of assessment. The goal is to exceed 1000pts - and earn your Design Dojo Black Belt.

There are 4 ways to earn points:

  1. WIP Check-Ins
    (1 per project, 10pts/each)

  2. Pro Projects
    (4 per semester, 200pts/each)

  3. Mastery Challenges
    (Your choice,10 to 40pts/each)

  4. Dojo Disposition
    (Participation,100pts/semester)

A Personalized Point Path

While the WIP Check-In and Pro Project assignment have fixed deadlines and criteria, you are encouraged to develop solutions based on your personal interest and style.

Additionally, you have the freedom to pick from the +12 Mastery Challenges - and these can be done almost any time.

A few important notes on Mastery Challenges:

  • For validation, challenges are done live (preferred) or recorded. If recording, state your name at the beginning and talk your way through the challenge.

  • The goal of these challenges is true mastery, so no partial credit - but you can try again the next day.

  • You can submit one challenge per day and the challenge should be applicable to the current app/project.

  • The window for submitting challenges ends on the penultimate week of the semester.

Earning an A+ or a Black Belt

Note: To reach the goal of +1000pts (A+), you’ll need to complete at least 2 Mastery Challenges during the semester.

To earn a Design Dojo Black Belt, one of these challenges needs to be work done for a nonprofit or school in need.

 

Project
Rubric

What Makes a Design “Good”?

In terms of criteria, Design Dojo projects are assessed by their level of:

  • Professionalism - Project uses assigned industry specifications, follows directions, and fulfills requirements.

  • Craftsmanship - Project exhibits an admirable application of design principles and workflows, resulting in high-quality work.

  • Originality/Effort - Project content is unique (not copied, derivative, a template, or merely a tutorial reproduction) - and shows significant rigor and effort over time.

What the # of Points Really Mean

While each project has unique requirements, here’s a general breakdown of what a given project point total means:

200pts = Wow! This is truly professional grade. Nothing stands out that could make it better.  The concept shows real effort over time, the craftsmanship is flawless, the solution is original, and it truly communicates a memorable and clear message.

180pts = Well done. The concept is demanding and the craftsmanship shows just a couple elements that might be improved with more effort and exploration. Let's talk and make it awesome. 

160pts = Ok. The work shows some level of understanding, but lacks a solid grasp of the directions, principles, or effort.

140pts = Hmmm. There is evidence of little effort and/or some directions were straight-up ignored.

<120pts = Wha? There is some glaring omission or error in the work - or it has been copied. Not cool, we need to talk.

Non-Fixed
Assessment

Always Improving Your Portfolio

In the design industry, client feedback and re-edits (aka “rounds”) are standard practice. Essentially, first solutions are just the beginning - and the goal is to create the strongest possible solution. So any work in your portfolio should go through multiple revisions.

With this in mind, weekly check-in assignments will provide direction for a given work-in-progress (WIP), but even after a final Pro Project is submitted, you still have the opportunity to meet up for feedback and increase your point total by 10-20 points.

However, note that:

  • Time - After a Pro Project is graded, you have one week to schedule a meet up for feedback and turn in a revised version. (End of semester projects are therefore not included in this opportunity.)

  • Effort - You get only one round of these re-edits for a given project and the revised solution needs to show considerable improvement in order to earn 10-20 added points.