Challenge Summary
The new member profiles on TopCoder Studio and the main TopCoder site will feature badges. As in computer gaming, each badge will represent a specific achievement. Some badges will be easy to get and others will be hard, giving members at all competitive levels something to strive for. Your task in this contest is to design the first generation of badges that will be offered to TopCoder's creative members and programming experts.
Round 1
The first round lasts for 96 hours (4 days). You must make a passing submission in the first round in order to participate in the second round. At the end of the first round, we will review the submissions and award up to five milestone prizes of $100 each.
Round 2
The second round lasts for 96 hours (4 days) past the end of the first round. You are eligible to participate in the second round if you made a first-round submission that passed screening, regardless of whether you won a milestone prize. After the end of the second round, we will award up to three final prizes: $1250 for first place, $500 for second place, $250 for third place. You must submit in the second round in order to be eligible for a final prize.
Overview
Member profiles in both the creative and technical branches of TopCoder will soon display badges. Our intention is to give members a fun system of incentives in the form of icons that show off their achievements in competition or community participation. Our first set of badges will consist of 17 badges divided into three categories as listed further below. Because the same set of badges will be used on TopCoder Studio and the software side of TopCoder, it is important to make badges that are equally suitable for designers and programmers.
Technical requirements
Each badge must be rendered in two sizes: 48x48 and 17x17 pixels. The 48x48 version should be a detailed design that takes full advantage of the available pixels, while the 17x17 version will necessarily leave out details due to the much lower resolution. Automatic downscaling is not likely to result in an acceptable appearance for the small badge, so you should expect to design it specially at the pixel level.
Attached to this contest specification is a Photoshop template that you must use to prepare your submission. Insert the full set of 34 badges into this template, then hide the gray background squares and save the template as a 1024x1024 PNG image. Upload the resulting file in your submission zip, and also upload it as your preview image.
First steps
These badges give new members something to work toward.
- first forum post
- first passing submission
- first milestone prize
- first placement (any final prize)
- first win (first-place final prize)
Experience
These badges form a permanent record of the member's achievements. Each badge in this category must include the number 10 as a prominent feature, i.e., the number must be visible and legible.
- 10 forum posts
- 10 passing submissions
- 10 milestone prizes
- 10 placements (any final prize from 1st place downward)
- 10 wins (1st place only)
Superstar
These badges are awarded for the rarest achievements.
- Studio Cup top 5
- Digital Run top 5
- Studio Cup winner
- Digital Run winner
- TCO on-site competitor
- TCO finalist
- TCO champion
Target audience
Badges are intended primarily for the enjoyment of profile owners and their fellow members. Secondary consideration should be given to TopCoder staffers and clients who may be browsing member profiles.
Judging criteria
We are looking for fun badge designs that are suitable for both Studio and the main TopCoder site. It is also important to have visual variety among the badges in your set so that users can tell them apart at a glance.
Branding guidelines
Do not include the TopCoder name or logo in your badge designs. Your badge designs must be entirely your own work. You may not use clip art, stock photography, or any other images that you did not create yourself.
What to submit
Submission: A zip file containing a 1024x1024 PNG image that displays the full set of badges on a pure white background. To make the image, complete the Photoshop template attached to this contest specification, then hide the gray background squares and save to PNG format.
Source: A zip file containing all original, fully editable source files of your design as stated under "Source Files" in the sidebar.
Preview: The same 1024x1024 PNG image that you uploaded in the submission zip.
Final fixes
If you win a prize, you may be asked to complete one round of minor changes to ensure that your submission meets the stated requirements of this contest. See more information about Final Fixes.
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.