Participate

PARTICIPATION DETAILS

Anyone can participate in D4SD 2024, including those outside the San Diego Region. Pitch decks can be submitted either individually or in teams of up to 6 members. Each individual can only be part of one submission. Each valid submission will receive one ticket to attend the World Design Policy Conference on Nov 12 (more tickets may become available later. Teams are not required to attend on Nov 12, but at least one team member must attend WDPC to be eligible for recognition and awards.

CHOOSE AN ANGLE TO TAKE

Teams are welcome to submit any kind of idea to the D4SD challenge including urban designs, policies, products, services, or any combination of those.

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Policy

Policy solutions can involve developing actionable frameworks, ordinances, or incentives that promote affordable housing construction and address inequities to build inclusive, vibrant communities in San Diego.

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Products

Product solutions can focus on creating innovative tools, applications, and physical products that improve the quality of life and mitigate housing challenges for San Diego residents.

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Other

Teams can explore outside these four categories. Any other interdisciplinary solutions that incorporate elements from architecture, policy, products, services or elsewhere are welcome.

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Architecture

Architectural solutions can involve creating a blueprint or vision for transforming the San Diego region’s built environment, such as site plans, architectural renderings, or urban designs.

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Services

Service solutions can focus on developing new programs, initiatives, or IT solutions that address unmet needs of individuals facing housing insecurity in San Diego.

SUBMISSION DETAILS

Pitch deck components

For your project submission, you need to submit a pitch deck summarizing your entire process from problem identification to the proposed solution.

The following components are required to include in your pitch deck

  • Title Slide (1 slide): Include the project name, team members, and a representative image. Include the D4SD logo in the bottom corner (available at this link).
  • Team Members Slide (1 slide): Include the names of team members, team roles, and contact information. Team member photos are optional.
  • The Problem (1-2 slides): Summarize the problem your project addresses with a strong hook. Explain the significance of the problem, the population it affects and why it is important to solve. Include a problem statement and a how might we question indicating the problem your team intends to address through your research and proposed solution. Build empathy with strong visuals.
  • Research Overview (1-2 slides): Provide an overview of the research conducted, whether primary and/or secondary. Describe the methods employed (online search, surveys, interviews, etc.) and highlight key findings with visuals. Cite all sources. Show photos and other evidence you collect.
  • Proposed Solution (2-3 slides): Visually showcase your proposed solution. Explain how it addresses your team’s problem statement or and how it benefits your target population. Include a short reflection on the implementation strategy, anticipated challenges, and the potential impact of your proposal.
  • Optional Additional Content (0-3 slides): Use these slides for any extra details, visuals, or content that supports your project.
  • Final Slide (1 Slide): Include acknowledgments for any support or contributions and provide the team’s contact information to conclude the presentation.

Submission file format

Submit your pitch slide deck as a PDF and the original PPTX file with all slides included.

Submission deadline

This year’s challenge is now open for submissions! Individuals or teams must submit their application via the Google form with a PDF of their pitch deck by 11:59 PM on Friday, October 25, 2024. Teams with valid submissions will be invited to showcase their pitch deck at the World Design Policy Conference on November 12-13, 2024.

Submit now

EVALUATION DETAILS

Experts in housing and homelessness will judge your design proposal based on several key factors. Each factor is necessary to ensure your project not only tackles a real problem but also showcases innovation, novelty, and impact. Here is a breakdown of the evaluation criteria:

  1. Problem Identification & Relevance: To what extent does the proposal address an important and open problem in the San Diego region, as it relates to one or more of the four key challenges?
  2. Human-Centered Approach: To what extent does the team and the proposed solution demonstrate empathy and prioritize the needs and experiences of key stakeholders affected by the problem?
  3. Solution Novelty, Impact, and Feasibility: To what extent does the proposal offer a fresh and creative approach to the problem, that significantly enhances the well-being of the San Diego community, with a clear and well-thought plan for how to prototype and evaluate the solution.
  4. Information Presentation: To what extent does the pitch deck concisely and visually illustrate the problem and proposed solution?

FAQ

Our D4SD jurors come from the worlds of technology, government, entrepreneurship, and education. They will judge solutions based on six key criteria: Problem Identification, Human-centered process, Novelty, potential for impact, feasibility, and presentation.

What is D4SD?

Why should I participate in D4SD?