Elite Hockey HQ Design Showcase
Become a Web Design Judge
Join a select panel of designers, engineers, and storytellers to evaluate the most inspiring digital experiences built for athletes. Your perspective will guide who headlines the 2024 Elite Hockey HQ Design Showcase.
- Review window
- May 6 – May 24, 2024
- Entries per judge
- 12–15 projects
- Honorarium
- $300 stipend
Why join the panel
Elevate the work shaping modern athlete experiences
Elite Hockey HQ’s showcase celebrates outstanding craft across the training journey. Judges draw from cross-disciplinary expertise to spotlight products that meet athletes where they are and move the industry forward.
- Spot outstanding craft
- Evaluate how teams translate ambitious training ideas into fast, accessible web experiences for athletes.
- Share your expertise
- Provide thoughtful, actionable feedback that helps finalists understand what separates good from great.
- Shape the showcase
- Help us select the experiences that will headline the Elite Hockey HQ Design Showcase and inspire the community.
Evaluation framework
What we ask every judge to look for
Each entry is scored on a 5-point scale across the pillars below. You will receive a detailed rubric and examples to keep scoring consistent across the panel.
Clarity & navigation
Is the core story immediately clear? Can athletes move through flows without friction on any device?
Visual systems
How well do typography, color, and motion support the personality of the program without getting in the way?
Accessibility & inclusivity
Entries must demonstrate responsible contrast, semantic structure, and considerate language for all athletes.
Performance & craft
Polish matters. We look for resilient layouts, purposeful micro-interactions, and smooth load experiences.
How it works
A clear path from application to celebration
We keep logistics simple. Every step is supported by our team so you can focus on evaluating world-class experiences.
- 01
Apply to join the panel
Tell us about your background, portfolio, and any relevant judging or mentorship experience.
- 02
Complete orientation
Selected judges receive a briefing kit, scoring rubric, and example walkthroughs before reviews begin.
- 03
Evaluate submissions
You will receive access to our judging workspace with entries assigned based on your expertise.
- 04
Celebrate the winners
Contribute quotes for winner spotlights and join the live showcase reveal with the Elite Hockey HQ community.
What to expect
A collaborative, lightweight judging process
We respect your time while making space for meaningful discussion. All scoring happens asynchronously inside the Elite Hockey HQ judging workspace with optional live sessions to align on finalists.
Your commitments
- Review 12–15 submissions asynchronously over the three-week judging window.
- Score each project against the official rubric and leave at least one detailed comment.
- Join a 45-minute live panel to discuss top contenders and finalize category winners.
Timeline
- April 15: Applications close
- April 22: Orientation kit delivered
- May 6–24: Review window open
- June 5: Live panel and winner reveal
What you receive
- $300 honorarium paid at the end of the review window.
- Private roundtable with fellow judges and Elite Hockey HQ’s product leadership.
- Feature spotlight across Elite Hockey HQ channels and the Design Showcase recap.
Ready to help us celebrate extraordinary training design?
We review applications on a rolling basis until the panel is full. Share your background, and we will connect soon with next steps.
Application
Share your experience and perspective
Tell us why you are excited to judge the showcase. We carefully review every application and follow up with next steps within five business days.
FAQs
Answers to common questions
Still unsure if judging is right for you? Browse the questions below or email us and we will help you decide.
- Who can apply to judge?
- We welcome senior ICs, creative directors, and design-minded engineers with at least five years of professional experience shipping web products.
- Do I need to be a Elite Hockey HQ customer?
- No. Familiarity with training or sports tech is helpful, but we encourage voices from adjacent industries to keep perspectives fresh.
- Can I still submit work if I am judging?
- Judges cannot enter their own work in categories they review. If your studio plans to submit, please note this in the application so we can avoid conflicts.