Akmaral's portfolio

Grades are everywhere in higher education. They influence student behavior, shape academic outcomes, and act as signals of success. But what are they really measuring? And what are they missing?

This project began with a simple question and turned into a deeper inquiry into how grading systems affect motivation, equity, and identity. I wasn’t looking for a perfect solution. Instead, I wanted to understand what’s working, what’s not, and what other possibilities exist.

Stephen Mayer, a Salt Lake City native, was nurtured in the publishing world by his magazine-running father and developed a fascination for fonts upon receiving a Mac for his family. During his collegiate years, he skipped lectures and gained knowledge about typeface—and life—by working as a designer for his university newspaper.

He also worked independently as a consultant, bridging the gap between typeface creators and users, always championing the needs of both parties. Not only is he the co-founder of the web platforms, Typographica and Fonts In Use, Stephen has also penned a regular column for Print magazine and authored the acclaimed book The Anatomy of Type. In 2017, he became an integral part of the nonprofit library and museum, Letterform Archive, as an Associate Curator and Editorial Director.

Role: Solo designer & researcher | Class project

Tools & Methods: Literature review, design thinking, Three Horizons framework

Focus: Reimagining assessment practices through a systems lens

exploring the current landscape

This project was part of a graduate course called University as a Design Problem. I used the Three Horizons framework to guide my exploration:

Horizon 1: Traditional grading systems and their limitations
Horizon 2: Emerging models like feedback-centered and mastery-based assessment
Horizon 3: A visionary future where assessment focuses on growth and learning

I explored scholarly research, case studies from universities experimenting with alternatives, and student reflections on how grades impact their learning experiences.

Key Insights:

Traditional grades often misalign with the values of higher education, like critical thinking, collaboration, and creativity
Feedback-centered assessment creates more space for reflection, iteration, and meaningful learning
Mastery-based systems allow students to progress at their own pace and revisit work without penalty
Students want clearer expectations, more agency, and less pressure to perform for the sake of a number

We can imagine something better — and small shifts can lead us there.

What would assessment look like if it was built around care, trust, and reflection?

I imagine systems where:

Feedback is ongoing and collaborative
Mistakes are part of learning, not something to hide
Students can choose how they demonstrate understanding
Faculty feel supported to try new approaches and build community around better assessment practices

These ideas may sound idealistic, but they are already happening in small pockets. The challenge is learning how to expand them.

Reflection:

This project reminded me that grading is not just a technical issue. It is cultural, emotional, and deeply tied to how students see themselves as learners. Rethinking it requires more than new tools or rubrics. It requires new values.

Using the Three Horizons framework helped me understand that change can happen in stages. We can improve the present, support what’s emerging, and keep imagining what’s possible.

This work deepened my interest in designing systems that support growth and equity. It also reminded me that asking better questions can be a powerful design practice.

Read the full paper:

details

Research methods

Literature review

Comparative analysis

Design methods, frameworks, theories

Design thinking

Systems thinking

Three Horizons

Feedback literacy

Mastery learning

Vice President, Strategic Education Initiatives and Professor of English

Randall Bass

Vice President for Research and Senior Advisor to the President,

American Association of Colleges & Universities (AAC&U)

Ashley Finley

Professors

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Let's connect!

Whether it's my work, hiking trails, or baked goods - I'd love to chat:)

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Let's connect!

Whether it's my work, hiking trails, or baked goods - I'd love to chat:)

e-mail

Let's connect!

Whether it's my work, hiking trails, or baked goods - I'd love to chat:)

e-mail

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