Official Document

Evaluation Rubric

Complete scoring criteria used by judges to evaluate your submission. Download or print this document for reference.

Your process is your proof.

Scoring Overview

Process Score

40%

Evaluates how you approached the creative challenge, your decision-making, and iteration.

Craft Score

60%

Evaluates technical execution, originality, and how you navigated constraints.

How Scoring Works: Each criterion is scored from 1-10 by multiple judges. Scores are weighted according to percentages below, then averaged across all judges.

Final Score Formula: (Process Quality × 0.25) + (Decision Clarity × 0.15) + (Craft Execution × 0.25) + (Originality × 0.20) + (Constraint Handling × 0.15)

Detailed Scoring Criteria

Process Quality

Process

Creative methodology, iteration, and exploration. How did the work evolve?

25%
9-10

Exceptional

Deep insight into the creative journey. Clear evidence of iteration and thoughtful evolution.

7-8

Strong

Good documentation of the process. Shows clear steps and decisions.

5-6

Adequate

Basic process description. Some gaps in the journey.

3-4

Limited

Superficial process details. Hard to follow the evolution.

1-2

Insufficient

Little to no process documentation.

Decision Clarity

Process

Articulation of creative choices. Why did you make the decisions you made?

15%
9-10

Exceptional

Crystal clear rationale for every major choice. deeply reflective.

7-8

Strong

Clear reasoning for most choices. Good self-awareness.

5-6

Adequate

Some reasoning provided, but some choices feel unexplained.

3-4

Limited

Vague or generic explanations. Hard to understand the 'why'.

1-2

Insufficient

No explanation of creative choices.

Craft Execution

Technical proficiency, attention to detail, and polish.

25%
9-10

Exceptional

Professional-level execution. Clean edits, proper pacing, excellent quality.

7-8

Strong

High quality execution with minor issues. Good technical skills.

5-6

Adequate

Competent execution. Some technical issues but doesn't detract significantly.

3-4

Limited

Noticeable technical problems. Execution issues distract from content.

1-2

Insufficient

Major technical issues throughout. Poor execution quality.

Originality

Distinctive voice and innovative approaches. Does it stand out?

20%
9-10

Exceptional

Highly original concept and execution. Fresh perspective that stands out.

7-8

Strong

Good originality with unique elements. Shows personal voice.

5-6

Adequate

Some original elements but overall familiar approach.

3-4

Limited

Derivative work with few original elements.

1-2

Insufficient

No original elements. Feels copied or template-based.

Constraint Handling

Creative problem-solving within limitations. Turning restrictions into advantages.

15%
9-10

Exceptional

Constraints turned into creative opportunities. Innovative solutions to limitations.

7-8

Strong

Good adaptation to constraints. Creative workarounds demonstrated.

5-6

Adequate

Basic handling of constraints. Some creative solutions but nothing remarkable.

3-4

Limited

Constraints appear to have limited the work. Minimal problem-solving shown.

1-2

Insufficient

Work severely hampered by constraints with no evident adaptation.

What Judges Look For

Strong Submissions

  • •Clear explanation of creative decisions in process statement
  • •Evidence of iteration and refinement
  • •Creative solutions to limitations or challenges
  • •Intentional editing choices that serve the story
  • •Technical execution matches creative ambition
  • •Original voice and perspective

Common Pitfalls

  • •Vague or generic process statements
  • •No explanation of why choices were made
  • •Over-reliance on templates or trends
  • •Technical issues that distract from content
  • •Unclear purpose or message
  • •Not addressing challenges faced

Tips for Your Process Statement

Be Specific

Instead of 'I worked hard on this,' explain exactly what you did: 'I experimented with 5 different color grades before choosing this warm palette to evoke nostalgia.'

Explain Your Why

Don't just describe what you did—explain why. 'I cut here because...' is much stronger than 'I made a cut here.'

Discuss Challenges

What problems did you face? How did you solve them? This shows your problem-solving skills and creative thinking.

Show Your Growth

If you changed direction during the project, explain why. Iteration is a sign of good creative process.

Be Honest About AI

If you used AI tools, disclose them and explain how they fit into your creative process. Transparency is valued.

Save this rubric for reference while preparing your submission.