Official rules
The rules
- 01Common theme
- One official theme is announced to everyone when the round starts. It's hidden until then.
- 02Time limit
- One shared 10-minute round. The server's clock decides; joining late doesn't give you extra time.
- 03Individual
- This is an individual competition. No teams, no help, one entry per USN.
- 04Permitted tools
- Figma, Canva, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, and other tools the organisers permit.
- 05Originality
- Your design must be your own, made during the round. Don't copy, share or modify someone else's work. You confirm this before uploading.
- 06Required elements
- A suitable headline, relevant visuals and a clear message. Supporting text must fit the theme.
- 07Files
- PNG, JPG or PDF, up to 10 MB. Export from your tool, then upload.
- 08Deadline policy
- Your upload must be fully received by the server by the deadline plus a 10-second network grace. A file that arrives later is rejected, for everyone, with no individual exceptions. Don't leave it to the last seconds.
- 09Replacing
- You may replace your submission before the deadline. The latest accepted version is judged; earlier versions are kept on record.
- 10Extensions
- If organisers extend or end the round, it changes for everyone at once and is announced.
- 11Final decision
- Designs are judged on the rubric below. The judges' decision is final.
Judging rubric
| Theme communication | Does the poster clearly communicate the announced theme? | 30 |
| Originality and concept | Is the idea distinctive rather than a generic or copied layout? | 25 |
| Visual hierarchy and readability | Is the headline clear? Can the message be understood quickly? | 20 |
| Visual design and composition | Typography, spacing, alignment, contrast and balance. | 15 |
| Relevance and message clarity | Do visuals and supporting text reinforce the theme? | 10 |
| Total | 100 |
Ties are broken by theme score, then originality, then hierarchy, then the earlier submission.