Challenge Summary
The DARPA CS-Stem project goal is to develop an internet platform for helping middle school and high school students develop an interest in the S.T.E.M. fields. The platform will feature contests, activities, prizes and web-based entertainment shows designed to get students engaged.
This website is intended for 13-18 year old demographic, with an aim of helping young students find and develop an interest in topics related to computer science, computation and engineering through fun, interesting activities and awards. Our emphasis is strongly extracurricular and on building captivating things to do; while there will be activities that allow programming, we are not building a formal education website. We will be developing and testing several "skins" for the website to test what works best for the provided demographic.
For more information about the project, please visit the following pages:
Main DARPA CS-STEM page | DARPA CS-STEM blogs | DARPA CS-STEM general forums
Primary Goal & Design Considerations
For this contest, you will be designing a storyboard that focuses any design that is expected to be appealing to all users in the 13 to 18 year old age group. To us, this means a well designed and blended look that is beautiful but not jarring, aggressive, etc. Think Renaissance, not Cubist.
The design cannot look similar to any of the submissions in the contest below, and the colors should also not be copied in the same palette, though some colors can be similar.
http://studio.topcoder.com/?module=ViewContestDetails&ct=1002133
http://studio.topcoder.com/?module=ViewContestDetails&ct=1002134
http://studio.topcoder.com/?module=ViewContestDetails&ct=1002137
The attached wireframe has two versions (Normal and Wide screen); the purpose of this functionality is to show a fluid / flexible layout. The intended width of the page should be fluid or flexible depending on the screen size and as the screen resizes. There's no need to create the opening screen and no need to create both resolutions versions as long as you provide an explanation on how you envisioned it to be fluid/flexible within your submission.
The minimum page width consideration should fit with a 1024px screen width resolution.
Look and Feel References
We have provided the following links for REFERENCE PURPOSES ONLY. No part of these designs should be taken or used or replicated as is! These references will help get you on the right track - and you are encouraged to also do your own research and show us your own "All Audience" interpretation.
http://www.shmoop.com/
http://practicallygreen.com/
http://www.climatecounts.org/
http://tongal.com/
http://www.foehn.co.uk/
Requirements
In this contest, we ask you to design the storyboard of the following pages base on the provided wireframe.
1) Home
2) Activities
- All Activities
- Activities Launch Page
3) Profiles
- My Account
- View Public Profile (15 Activities)
- View Public Profile (5 Activities)
In addition to the above, add a widget that is similar as the attached widget.zip storyboard (this is only a reference file for the widget placement). The look and feel of this widget should match the look and feel of your design. The location of this widget should be on the intro/slogan area of the homepage.
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 in 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.
Submission & Source Files
Preview Image
Create your preview image as one (1) 1024x1024 JPG or PNG file in RGB color mode at 72dpi and place a screenshot of your submission within it.
Submission File
All Requested Contest Requirements stated above.
Source Files
All original source files of the submitted design. Files should be created in Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator (or equivalent) and saved as layered PSD/AI files.
Final Fixes
As part of the final fixes phase you may be asked to modify your graphics, images (sizes or colors) or modify overall colors.
Colors, Font, and Size:
Your design should not prevent the screen from using the full width of the monitor when wide screens are used.
Studio Font Policies
- All non-standard Windows fonts must be listed in a text file within your submission folder. Include the name of the font and a link to where it can be downloaded/purchased. DO NOT include any font files in your submission or source files."
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.