Challenge Summary
When clients are learning about TopCoder, one of the challenges they face is understanding how all the contests fit together to build the end result. To address this, TopCoder wants to develop some materials that would present our clients with an overview of a sample project, one that has already been completed thru TopCoder. It will walk the users through the building of this project contest by contest, showing how the different phases fit together and how the outputs from one contest are the inputs for another.
For this contest, you will provide storyboards to illustrate the best way to present this information. The demo will live within a web page, so consider that when determining the best way to present it. Perhaps you think it should be a flash presentation? Or a slideshow? Or maybe you have other ideas. Bottom line: we want you to tell us what to build -- and show us how it will look by providing the static storyboards
Round 1
Your milestone submission should cover:
1) Your demonstration of the project lifecycle as a whole
2) At least one complete example of how you will detail a contest phase
Round 2
Your final submission should include all the pages in requirement for a review. You can add more pages to enhance the page flow and usability. You must include the review feedbacks from Round One in your final design.
TopCoder is trying to find the best way to demo a sample project to our clients and new users. The TopCoder methodology is unique and can prove to be challenging to first understand. One way we have found that is effective is to walk the client through a sample project - one that was built through TopCoder. The goal of this contest is to design the most effective way to present these materials.
Your main goal is to present the information to the user in a manner that will most ensure their understandings of not only what each contest is responsible for in general, but what it was responsible for in the case of the project the client is being walked through.
Please visit this wiki page to see the current implementation of these materials. The content, links, and screen shots may be used when creating your submission.
http://www.topcoder.com/wiki/display/training/Sample+Project+Breakdown
Submission Detail
- You may suggest any "standard" (easy to implement for the web) format for this demo, but it should be highly visual and have simple text points.
- Your submission accomodate two scenarios: 1) being used in a presentation or in-person exchange AND 2) be something the client can view alone.
- Your submission MAY have multiple screens or slides as long as the information flow is steady
- Your submission should allow for user manipulation:
- There should be plenty of opportunities for the presenter or client to stop or pause between points during the demo so it can be reviewed or discussed; in other words, don't make it too lengthy or make any one sit through a long piece of information
- Your submission should have a way to drill-down into get more detail or information - but it should always be optional. The main purpose of the demo is to go through high-level steps.
Target Audience
Potential clients and clients who are new to the TopCoder model.
Branding Guidelines:
- Please follow the general look/feel of TopCoder Direct and/or TopCoder (http://topcoder.com/direct and http://topcoder.com)
- You may use the attached TopCoder logo. Do not use any other logos.
Judging Criteria
Your submission will be judged on the following:
Usability - The design should be easy-to-use, completely uncluttered and clean
Execution -The quality of the design and how well you followed the provided guidelines
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 from your submission within it.
Submission Files
- All requested contest requirements as JPG or PNG files for each screen.
- Notes file explaining the type of demo you are proposing. (Alternatively, you can place this info in the "Comments" section of the declarations screen when you submit).
Source Files
All original source files of the submitted design. Files should be created in Adobe Photoshop (or equivalent) and saved as layered PSD files.
Final Fixes
As part of final fixes you may be asked to modify your graphics, source files, or modify overall colors.
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.