The final project is the culmination of the semester. You will conceive, build, and deploy an original, interactive, data-driven project of your own design. If you don't have an idea, you may choose from a set of challenge projects provided by the instructor.

This is your chance to demonstrate everything you've learned — not just that you can make something that works, but that you can make something worth reading.

The final project is graded as a single final deliverable, presented to the class in our final session, on a 10-point scale across four criteria.

Delivery

Your project is deployed to a live URL and functions correctly.

Points	Criteria
3	The site loads without errors and all features — navigation, interactivity, data display — work as intended across desktop and mobile
2	The site works but has minor issues — a layout problem at certain screen sizes, a feature that's slightly off, or a rough edge that doesn't break the experience
1	The site is deployed but has significant problems — broken interactivity, data that doesn't load, or sections that are clearly incomplete
0	No submission or the site does not load

Storytelling

Your project demonstrates editorial judgment — a clear topic, a reason the reader should care, and thoughtful choices about what to include and how to present it.

Points	Criteria
2	The project has a clear editorial focus — the headline, text, and structure guide the reader through the material, and data and interactive elements serve the story rather than existing for their own sake
1	The editorial intent is there but uneven — the topic is clear but the writing is thin, or the interactive elements feel disconnected from the narrative
0	No discernible editorial intent, or the project feels more like a technical exercise than a story

Ambition

Your project incorporates techniques or features that go beyond what we covered in class.

Points	Criteria
2	The project includes multiple features or techniques we did not build together — a new library, a novel interactive pattern, an ambitious design treatment, or a creative data approach
1	The project includes one notable addition beyond what we covered, or mostly applies familiar techniques with some minor additions or variations
0	The project does not go beyond what we built in class

Presentation

You present your project to the class during the final critique session.

Points	Criteria
3	You walked the class through your project clearly — what it is, why you made it, how it works, and what you learned — and could answer questions about your technical and editorial choices
2	You presented clearly but were unclear on some aspects — struggled to explain a technical decision, or the walkthrough was disorganized
1	You presented but only briefly or with little substance
0	No presentation

Grading

Points	Grade
10	A
9	A-
8	B+
7	B
5–6	B-/C+
3–4	C/C-
1–2	D
0	F