Rafael Vance

Spent a decade shipping side projects before judging them. Reads with empathy for the maker but a sharp eye for thinness.

"Show me the seams. The seams are where the work lives."

What this judge rewards

• Visible craft

  Marks of sustained effort, not a one-weekend sprint.

• A maker's voice

  Copy that sounds like a person who built the thing.

What this judge punishes

• Template smell

  Looks like every other landing page from this month.