Theme: "Designing for the In-Between" - Designing for moments that are often overlooked, transitional, or uncomfortable.

Examples: Waiting rooms, career uncertainty, moving houses, going to college for the first time, etc.

• User Research & Empathy (The Why and The Who)
  Evaluates if the team identified specific obstacles or frustrations users face. High marks for using data or interviews to prove the problem exists, while ensuring the solution is accessible to people of all abilities from the start.
• Problem Solving & Innovation (The Wow & The Reality)
  Assesses the creativity and clarity of their solution. Whether a brand-new idea or a significant UX improvement on an existing app, judges look for a clear, logical connection between the research and the final features.
• Design & Visual Quality (The Look & The How)
  Evaluates the reasoning behind every element: why this button, this color, or this layout? High marks for a cohesive design system and a polished, interactive prototype that demonstrates a seamless and intuitive user journey.
• Presentation & Pitch (The Story)
  Judges the team’s ability to communicate their vision. A strong pitch uses a compelling narrative to bridge the gap between the problem and the solution, featuring a prototyped demo that clearly showcases the core functionality.