Challenge Summary
TopCoder needs a visual representation of the entire TopCoder process offered to clients. The goal of this competition is to make a graphic that is easily understood, using recognizable concepts that most people would relate to.
Your graphic should show some sort of metaphor for the TopCoder process. The example we give below involves building a house. However, you do not have to use the house-building metaphor; you could show the process of building a car, for example. You also don't have to use concepts from the same theme (for example, you could use some house-building metaphors, and some factory process metaphors). Here are the process steps you need to portray. Be sure to include these names in your graphic. 1. Conceptualization 2. Wireframe 3. Storyboard 4. HTML Prototype 5. Base Framework 6. Functional Prototype 7. App Module 1 8. App Module 2 9. App Module 3 Here is an example, using the house-building metaphor: 1. Conceptualization Document: A clipboard or file representing the written details a contractor makes from meeting with the new homeowner. 2. Wireframe: A blueprint of the house. 3. Storyboard: A colored illustration of how the house will look when built. 4. HTML Prototype: A small 3D model of the house. 5. Base Framework: The basic framing of the house. 6. Functional prototype: The electrical/plumbing of the house, but nothing is hooked up yet. (perhaps show wires hanging down to illustrate that nothing is hooked up) 7. App Module 1: Shows a piece of the framework completed (perhaps the walls are added) 8. App Module 2: Shows a larger piece of the framework completed (perhaps the roof is added) 9. App Module 3: Shows the house completely finished. Target Audience New and prospective clients who are unfamiliar with the TopCoder Process and who do not have a highly technical background. Design Considerations - The process must be shown in a left-to-right format - The graphic should be inviting, friendly and non-technical without being childish. - Each phase should be represented in a simple way. Do not overload your graphic with tiny details and complex elements. The entire graphic should look clean. Branding Guidelines - You do not need to use the TopCoder logo because this graphic will be presented on TopCoder pages or in other TopCoder materials. - You should use colors and fonts that complement the TopCoder brand, but please do not strive to match it completely. Colors besides red and black are preferable. Judging Criteria Use the following criteria as a checklist for your submission. - Metaphor: How well did you portray each phase of the TopCoder process by comparing it to a process lay-people can understand? Is the concept creative? Do the graphical representations of each phase accurately depict the phase? - Imagery: Do all the elements that represent the phases look good together? Is the overall graphic clean and pleasing as a whole? - Consistency: Do they all have the same level of detail, illustrative conceptualization and complexity? Remember - simpler concepts are better! Submission and Source Files Preview Image Please create your preview image as one (1) 900x900 JPG or PNG file in RGB color mode at 72dpi and place your submissions within it. You are free to resize or crop your submission to fit this size, but do not add any filters or elements for dramatic effect, such as drop shadows or reflections. Submission File One JPG file in RGB color mode at 72dpi. Source Files Must be at least 400dpi if you are not creating a vector. All original source files of the submitted design. Adobe Photoshop of Gimp saved as a layered PSD file or Illustrator or Inkscape and saved as layered AI or EPS files. Final Fixes As part of the final fixes phase you may be asked to modify your colors or font selection for better visibility/readability.
Your graphic should show some sort of metaphor for the TopCoder process. The example we give below involves building a house. However, you do not have to use the house-building metaphor; you could show the process of building a car, for example. You also don't have to use concepts from the same theme (for example, you could use some house-building metaphors, and some factory process metaphors). Here are the process steps you need to portray. Be sure to include these names in your graphic. 1. Conceptualization 2. Wireframe 3. Storyboard 4. HTML Prototype 5. Base Framework 6. Functional Prototype 7. App Module 1 8. App Module 2 9. App Module 3 Here is an example, using the house-building metaphor: 1. Conceptualization Document: A clipboard or file representing the written details a contractor makes from meeting with the new homeowner. 2. Wireframe: A blueprint of the house. 3. Storyboard: A colored illustration of how the house will look when built. 4. HTML Prototype: A small 3D model of the house. 5. Base Framework: The basic framing of the house. 6. Functional prototype: The electrical/plumbing of the house, but nothing is hooked up yet. (perhaps show wires hanging down to illustrate that nothing is hooked up) 7. App Module 1: Shows a piece of the framework completed (perhaps the walls are added) 8. App Module 2: Shows a larger piece of the framework completed (perhaps the roof is added) 9. App Module 3: Shows the house completely finished. Target Audience New and prospective clients who are unfamiliar with the TopCoder Process and who do not have a highly technical background. Design Considerations - The process must be shown in a left-to-right format - The graphic should be inviting, friendly and non-technical without being childish. - Each phase should be represented in a simple way. Do not overload your graphic with tiny details and complex elements. The entire graphic should look clean. Branding Guidelines - You do not need to use the TopCoder logo because this graphic will be presented on TopCoder pages or in other TopCoder materials. - You should use colors and fonts that complement the TopCoder brand, but please do not strive to match it completely. Colors besides red and black are preferable. Judging Criteria Use the following criteria as a checklist for your submission. - Metaphor: How well did you portray each phase of the TopCoder process by comparing it to a process lay-people can understand? Is the concept creative? Do the graphical representations of each phase accurately depict the phase? - Imagery: Do all the elements that represent the phases look good together? Is the overall graphic clean and pleasing as a whole? - Consistency: Do they all have the same level of detail, illustrative conceptualization and complexity? Remember - simpler concepts are better! Submission and Source Files Preview Image Please create your preview image as one (1) 900x900 JPG or PNG file in RGB color mode at 72dpi and place your submissions within it. You are free to resize or crop your submission to fit this size, but do not add any filters or elements for dramatic effect, such as drop shadows or reflections. Submission File One JPG file in RGB color mode at 72dpi. Source Files Must be at least 400dpi if you are not creating a vector. All original source files of the submitted design. Adobe Photoshop of Gimp saved as a layered PSD file or Illustrator or Inkscape and saved as layered AI or EPS files. Final Fixes As part of the final fixes phase you may be asked to modify your colors or font selection for better visibility/readability.
Please read the challenge specification carefully and watch the forums for any questions or feedback concerning this challenge. It is important that you monitor any updates provided by the client or Studio Admins in the forums. Please post any questions you might have for the client in the forums.