Judging Criteria

Student teams will be evaluated in two areas using a point system: submission (150 points), and oral presentation (50 points), Submissions will first be reviewed by a panel of Microsoft judges. The top 10 teams in each category during the Microsoft judging period will be invited to the final Imagine Us event on May 30th 2010.

During the final Imagine Us event, Microsoft will arrange a panel of volunteer judges to assign points for the submission and the oral presentation for each team.

  • Oral Presentation (50 points)

    • Explanation of the team’s entry (30 points):
      • Explanation/demo of the entry and how the topic fits into the overall contest theme.
      • Explanation of the process to create the entry.
      • Explanation of the use and implementation of Microsoft technologies.
    • Delivery and presentation skills (20 points):
      • Effective organization of oral presentation; balance of speakers in the group.
      • Successful oral presentation delivery, including voice and self confidence.
      • Demonstrates the ability to effectively answer questions.

  • Web Design (Total: 150 points)

    • Creativity/Original Ideas (40 points)
      • The Web site is creative.
      • Ideas fit into the theme of “Technology Solving the World’s Toughest Problems”.
      • The Web site conveys personality.
      • The information and ideas are in-depth and not superficial.
    • Communication (30 points)
      • Your homepage answers the question, “What is this Place?”.
      • The content is organized and easy to read.
      • Each page has a distinct purpose.
      • The most useful and relevant content is easy to find.
      • The Web site uses a tone of voice that is appropriate to the audience.
      • Pages have clear headlines and headings.
    • Organization/Navigation (30points)
      • A consistent, reliable navigation system exists.
      • Links and navigation provide flow to meet the Web site’s goals.
      • The Web site has an effective and consistent layout across all pages.
      • There is a logical order to page components.
      • Pages do not feel cluttered (Adequate “white space” or “negative space” is used).
      • Links are clear and explicit (The user knows what clicking a link will do and can clearly differentiate hyperlinks from the content).
      • Users knows where they are at all times.
    • Visual Presentation/Design (50 points)
      • The Web site is consistent in the use of colors, shapes, patterns, layouts, and font styles.
      • The Web site has a distinct and unique visual theme.
      • The Web site has an effective and visually appealing color scheme (uses color to express personality, differentiate, frame, and highlight content).
      • Contrast is used effectively (uses contrast to differentiate elements, emphasize dominant elements, and de-emphasize lesser elements).
      • Imagery is used to add value to the message (concentrates imagery in the site ID/logo, primary content, and primary navigation).
    • Additional Requirements
      • Pages can be HTML only (ASP and PHP files will not be viewed by judges).
      • The Web site folder should be converted into a single .ZIP file with the default.html or index.html page in the root of that folder. To convert your entry, right-click on the folder with all the files inside and choose Send To, Compressed Folder.
      • The Web site must be created using Microsoft Expression Web.
      • The final .ZIP file must be less than 10MB.
      • Judges will view the Web sites using Internet Explorer 8. Students should preview and test their Web sites using this browser.

  • Digital Video (Total: 150 points)

    • Creativity/Original Ideas (40 points)
      • The video is creative.
      • Ideas fit into the theme of “Technology Solving the World’s Toughest Problems”.
      • The video conveys personality.
      • The information and ideas are in-depth and not superficial.
    • Video Elements (30 points)
      • It is clear that scenes are thought out before filming using storyboarding methods.
      • The video has a distinct and unique visual theme.
      • Lighting is used effectively.
      • Titles, special effects and transitions are used creatively.
      • It is clear that students spent time editing their film to create a finished product.
    • Audio Elements (30 points)
      • Dialogue and script is well prepared and delivered.
      • Audio is clear and crisp.
      • A soundtrack and sound effects are used to embellish the story.
      • Narration and voice-overs contribute to the overall story.
    • Audience Engagement (50 points)
      • Proper film length is used to keep the audience engaged and tell a complete story.
      • A clear beginning, middle, and end can be identified.
      • Characters are developed so the audience can relate to them.
      • The film concept is coherent and delivers overall enjoyment.
    • Additional Requirements
      • Videos must be between five and ten minutes long.
      • Students must use Windows Movie Maker to edit and publish their video.
      • Video files must be submitted in a Windows Media Video (WMV) file format.
      • The final .WMV file must be less than 2GB.

  • Graphic Design (Total: 150 points)

    • Creativity/Original Ideas (50 points)
      • The poster is creative.
      • Ideas fit into the theme of “Technology Solving the World’s Toughest Problems”.
      • The poster conveys personality.
    • Message (50 points)
      • All visual elements work together to portray a single distinct message.
      • Text is simple yet well thought out.
      • The content is organized and easy to read.
      • The poster uses a tone of voice that is appropriate to the audience.
    • Visual Presentation/Design (50 points)
      • The poster is consistent in the use of colors, shapes, patterns, layouts, and font styles.
      • The poster has a distinct and unique visual theme.
      • The poster has an effective and visually appealing color scheme (uses color to express personality, differentiate, frame, and highlight content).
      • Contrast is used effectively (uses contrast to differentiate elements, emphasize dominant elements, and de-emphasize lesser elements).
      • Imagery is used to add value to the message.
      • The poster has an effective layout.
    • Additional Requirements
      • Posters must be in the following dimensions: 750 pixels wide and 1000 pixels high.
      • Posters must be submitted in a Bitmap (BMP) file format.
      • The poster must be created using Microsoft Expression Design.
      • The final .BMP file must be less than 10MB.
      • All artwork must be an original creation by the student team.