Samsung Solve for Tomorrow
Top Mistakes
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Common mistakes judges see (and how to avoid them)
Every year, our judges review thousands of Solve for Tomorrow entries. Alongside some incredible ideas, they also spot some common mistakes.
The good news? They’re all easy to avoid.
Watch our Judges’ secrets revealed video to hear directly from the judges about the most common pitfalls they see. Then use this guide as a quick checklist to strengthen your idea before you submit it.
1. Skipping the design thinking process
When inspiration strikes, it’s tempting to jump straight into the entry form.
But the strongest ideas come from taking a step back first: finding a problem worth solving, understanding the people affected by it, exploring different solutions and refining your thinking.
That’s exactly what the Imagination Lab is designed to help you do. It guides you through every stage of the design thinking process, from spotting a problem to developing a solution.
Best of all, you can work through the whole process in as little as an hour.
Remember: A little time spent on the process can make a big difference to your final idea!
2. Is it a problem worth solving?
A great solution starts with a real problem.
- Who experiences this problem?
- How often does it happen?
- How much difference would solving it make?
- Who can I speak with to learn more about it?
That’s why the Explore section of the Imagination Lab comes first. Before you start inventing solutions, it helps you understand the problem, the people affected by it, and whether it’s really worth solving.
Some ideas sound impressive but don’t solve a genuine need. Others tackle problems that already have perfectly good solutions.
The strongest ideas don’t always help millions of people. Sometimes they make a huge difference to a smaller group of people. Sometimes they make a smaller difference to lots of people.
Remember: Before you ask “What could I build?”, ask “What problem am I solving?”
3. Reinventing what’s already out there
Found out someone has already had your idea?
Don’t panic.
Most successful innovations build on existing ideas rather than starting from scratch.
- Add a new technology or feature
- Make it more accessible
- Make it more sustainable
- Make it more effective
If you’re stuck, try the Boost Ideas activities in the Imagination Toolbox. They’re designed to help you develop and improve ideas that already exist.
Remember: Don’t copy it. Make it better.
When it comes time to submit, make sure to highlight existing gaps and show how your version is different.
4. The tech isn’t right
AI, sensors and apps? Great.
Fairy dust? Not so much.
One of the most common mistakes is being unclear about the technology behind an idea. Sometimes students describe a solution but never explain how it actually works.
Your idea needs real technology behind it.
- What technology you’re using
- How it works
- How it helps solve the problem
- Why it’s the right choice
If you’re unsure whether your idea is realistic, AI can help you sense-check your thinking and explain technology in simple language.
Remember: Your idea needs technology, not magic.
5. The use of tech doesn’t add value
AI, sensors and apps can be powerful tools.
But sometimes students add technology simply because they think they should.
Would your idea still work just as well, or even better, without most of the technology?
Imagine a talking robot that closes your blinds to keep your room cool. It might look impressive, but you don’t actually need a robot to close a blind.
The best ideas use technology because it genuinely improves the solution, not because it sounds impressive.
Remember: Technology should solve a problem, not create a complication.
6. Treating sustainability as an afterthought
A lot of students tell us their idea is sustainable simply because it’s an app.
But apps, websites and AI systems all use energy and resources too.
Sustainability isn’t something to add at the end. It should be part of your thinking from the start.
- Materials
- Energy use
- Waste
- Long-term impact
Could your idea reduce waste? Use less energy? Last longer? Help people make more sustainable choices?
The strongest ideas solve a problem while considering their impact on people and the planet.
Remember: Build sustainability in from the beginning.
7. Making the judges work too hard
You might have a fantastic idea, but if judges can’t understand it, they can’t reward it.
- Your handwriting is readable
- Your answers are clear
- Your sketches are labelled
- Your explanation is easy to follow
A good test is to show your entry to someone else. Can they understand it in a couple of minutes?
Remember: A brilliant idea is no use if nobody understands it.
8. Not linking clearly to a theme
Every Solve for Tomorrow entry should clearly fit into one of our three themes:
Smarter Sport
Tech that makes sport more fun, inclusive and helps everyone perform at their best.
Greener Future
Tech that protects our planet and helps us live more sustainable lives.
Safer Online
Tech that keeps us connected, confident and in control.
Sometimes teams come up with a brilliant solution but never clearly explain how it connects to their chosen theme.
Don’t make judges guess.
Tell us which theme you’ve chosen and explain exactly how your idea helps tackle that challenge.
Remember: If the connection isn’t obvious, spell it out.
9. All style, no substance
It’s easy to spend hours creating a beautiful sketch, presentation or prototype.
But we’re not judging your artistic skills. We’re judging the strength of your idea.
Instead of creating one perfect version, try creating a few quick, rough versions. They’re faster to make, easier to change and help you explore different possibilities.
Designers often talk about failing fast. The sooner you discover what’s not working, the sooner you can improve it.
Remember: Don’t aim for perfect, aim for better.
Ready to get started?
Head to the Imagination Lab, work through the activities, and use these nine tips to strengthen your idea before you submit it.
We can’t wait to see what you create.