Earning
Points

From Beginner to Black Belt

The Design Dojo uses a unique points-based system of assessment.

There are 5 ways to earn points:

  1. Project Research

    (Moodboard, 10pts/each project)

  2. Project Check-In
    (Mid-project assessment, 10pts/each project)

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

  4. Mastery Challenges
    (Your choice,10 to 40pts/independent)

  5. Dojo Disposition
    (Participation,100pts/each semester)

A Personalized Point Path

With each design project you are encouraged to develop solutions based on your personal interest and style.

Additionally, you have the freedom to pick from any of the +12 Mastery Challenges.

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.

  • The challenge should be applicable to the current app/project.

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

Earning a
Black Belt

Project
Rubric

Prove Your Mastery

To earn an Illustrator, Photoshop, or Design Dojo Black Belt, during the semester a student must:

  1. Show app mastery by completing 4 related Mastery Challenges.

  2. Take on a 5th design project for a nonprofit independently. Note: this requires working directly with the nonprofit and the work must be produced (poster, t-shirt, etc.)

Non-Fixed
Assessment

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 - Project content is unique (not copied, derivative, a template merely a tutorial reproduction, or AI generated).

  • Effort - Project shows significant rigor and effort over time as it undergoes the complete design process.

What the # of Points 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.

120-0pts = Wha? There is some glaring omission, a major error in the work, or it has been copied. We need to talk.

Always Improving Your Portfolio

In the design industry, client feedback and re-edits (aka “rounds”) are a standard practice. Essentially, a designer’s first solution is just the beginning. So in the same spirit, 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 project is submitted, you still have the opportunity to resubmit and increase your point total by 10-20 points.

However, note that there are 2 requirements:

  • Time - After a 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 re-edits for a given project and the revised solution needs to show considerable improvement in order to earn 10-20 added points.