Challenge Summary
With the newTopCoder Directbeing introduced, we are beginning to redesign the pages in our websites ? starting with ourclient pages.
These pages need to tell our customers quickly what TopCoder is and how to engage with the process and community. We have a wide range of clients and it?s important that each person is able to quickly get to the information they want to see.
The goal of this contest is to take the supplied wireframes, incorporate some changes, and apply the Direct look and feel to design our new client pages.
Requirements The wireframes provided show the general layout that these pages should follow. Content for these pages should be taken from the wireframes or any page on TopCoder.com. The flow should be analyzed to be sure that all clients would be able to easily access information to help them engage. You must make these pages similar in feel to the new TopCoder Direct design layout. It does not need to be an exact copy, but should feel related and cohesive in design and layout. The current pages are cluttered, too long, have unnecessary graphics and seem overly complex or disjointed. Your task is to simplify and organize. Keep the page clean! Changes to the Wireframes One change to the flow of information is as follow: Currently examples only fall below TopCoder Direct. They should fall on the About TC page. The user should see examples then choose their path (Direct or Enterprise). A revised sitemap is provided. Graphics You may use existing graphics on the TopCoder site but are encouraged to make your own original graphics. When creating graphics please make sure they are adding to the experience and making it easier for the user to understand information ? not just added to make things ?pretty.? When reviewing the current client pages, keep in mind that content is shown in flash carousels and by clicking on things to expose new content (such as on this page: http://topcoder.com/home/direct/) be sure you evaluate content available on these pages. While pages should remain engaging to the user, content should be displayed in an intuitive way. Design Considerations You should keep these questions in mind: - Will a new user be able to learn what TopCoder is and how it works, simply and easily? - Will any user be able to tell what approach (enterprise, direct, copilot) best suits their needs? - Are the pages simple, clean and easy to navigate? - Do the graphics enhance the experience or clutter the page unnecessarily? - How do we make TopCoder.com attractive and useful to our clients? Design Requirements - The page must fit comfortably in a 1024x768 browser with minimal vertical scrolling. - Use the TopCoder Logo attached to the contest. - You must follow the general layout/look & feel from the new Direct pages. It should not be a direct copy, but it must look related. Target Audience TopCoder clients Judging Criteria You will be judged on the following: - Quality of design - How the design met the above requirements and considerations - Innovation, creativity and originality - How well the target audience and messaging was met. Stock Photography Watermarked comp photography from istockphoto.com is allowed in this contest. You must follow these instructions or your submission will fail screening: 1) You must include a completed Third Party Content worksheet. It belongs with your Submission folder/zip file -- NOT your Source folder/zip file. 2) Only use photos, and only use them from iStockPhoto. Other iStockPhoto artwork is not allowed. 3) Be sure to keep the watermark intact. If the image is cropped in such a way that the watermark is not visible, please be sure to include the entire image in your source files so we can see that it is a comp image from iStockphoto.com.
Round 1
At the end of Round One, TopCoder will choose five (5) winners; each will win $50 and a Design Review. These winners and any member who had a passing submission in Round One will be eligible to compete in Round 2 for the additional $1250 in prizes.Round 2
Round 2 will start with the announcement of the five $50 Round 1 winners and the posting of their design reviews in the contest forum.Requirements The wireframes provided show the general layout that these pages should follow. Content for these pages should be taken from the wireframes or any page on TopCoder.com. The flow should be analyzed to be sure that all clients would be able to easily access information to help them engage. You must make these pages similar in feel to the new TopCoder Direct design layout. It does not need to be an exact copy, but should feel related and cohesive in design and layout. The current pages are cluttered, too long, have unnecessary graphics and seem overly complex or disjointed. Your task is to simplify and organize. Keep the page clean! Changes to the Wireframes One change to the flow of information is as follow: Currently examples only fall below TopCoder Direct. They should fall on the About TC page. The user should see examples then choose their path (Direct or Enterprise). A revised sitemap is provided. Graphics You may use existing graphics on the TopCoder site but are encouraged to make your own original graphics. When creating graphics please make sure they are adding to the experience and making it easier for the user to understand information ? not just added to make things ?pretty.? When reviewing the current client pages, keep in mind that content is shown in flash carousels and by clicking on things to expose new content (such as on this page: http://topcoder.com/home/direct/) be sure you evaluate content available on these pages. While pages should remain engaging to the user, content should be displayed in an intuitive way. Design Considerations You should keep these questions in mind: - Will a new user be able to learn what TopCoder is and how it works, simply and easily? - Will any user be able to tell what approach (enterprise, direct, copilot) best suits their needs? - Are the pages simple, clean and easy to navigate? - Do the graphics enhance the experience or clutter the page unnecessarily? - How do we make TopCoder.com attractive and useful to our clients? Design Requirements - The page must fit comfortably in a 1024x768 browser with minimal vertical scrolling. - Use the TopCoder Logo attached to the contest. - You must follow the general layout/look & feel from the new Direct pages. It should not be a direct copy, but it must look related. Target Audience TopCoder clients Judging Criteria You will be judged on the following: - Quality of design - How the design met the above requirements and considerations - Innovation, creativity and originality - How well the target audience and messaging was met. Stock Photography Watermarked comp photography from istockphoto.com is allowed in this contest. You must follow these instructions or your submission will fail screening: 1) You must include a completed Third Party Content worksheet. It belongs with your Submission folder/zip file -- NOT your Source folder/zip file. 2) Only use photos, and only use them from iStockPhoto. Other iStockPhoto artwork is not allowed. 3) Be sure to keep the watermark intact. If the image is cropped in such a way that the watermark is not visible, please be sure to include the entire image in your source files so we can see that it is a comp image from iStockphoto.com.
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.