Challenge Summary
We need an outstanding design for a two-page document that illustrates a recent success story in TopCoder software development. We already have the text for this case study; now we'd like you to create graphics for it and lay out the pages in Photoshop. After rendering the case study in PDF, we will distribute it to prospective customers both as a digital file and a printed handout.
Round 1
The first round is 72 hours long. 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 $50 each.
Round 2
The second round lasts for 60 hours 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 two final prizes: $600 for first place, $150 for second place. You must submit in the second round in order to be eligible for a final prize.
Overview
Attached to this contest is a Word file containing the text of the case study. We are asking you to lay out this text as a two-page document that will be rendered in PDF and printed on letter-size paper. You must also design three graphical features as described further below. All decisions about styling the pages are up to you, including the selection of fonts, number of columns, and how the text flows around the images. Beyond the required graphical features, we encourage you to design any additional decorative elements that you feel would enhance the appearance of the case study. The end result should be a visually striking document that will impress prospective customers of TopCoder.
Graphical features
All graphics must be vector-based in order to allow for printing and viewing at any resolution. Below are the basic specifications for the information to be conveyed by each required image. Exactly how to visualize the information is up to you. Stylish, colorful data visualizations are encouraged.
Image 1: the technology stack used in the next-generation UI project
- top layer: HTML5, JavaScript, jQuery
- middle layer: XML, Java
- bottom layer: web socket server
Image 2: horizontal timeline of the contests from November 2010 through October 2011
- the attached archive ProjectGamePlanView.zip contains a very wide HTML version of the game plan
- you must design a new representation of the timeline that is suitable for the case study
- please omit the contests that ran after October 2011
Image 3: vertical bar chart comparing TopCoder's development cost with traditional development costs
- TopCoder's real development cost: $137,247
- traditional development cost, optimistic estimate: $178,100
- traditional development cost, schedule-corrected estimate: $204,268
- traditional development cost, realistic estimate: $330,294
Contact details
You must include TopCoder's contact information as a header or footer on each page of the case study. This information must include TopCoder's corporate web address (www.topcoder.com) as an active link. The other required contact details are TopCoder's street address, phone numbers, fax number, and the email address for customer support.
Output specifications
You must design the case study to be rendered as a PDF document containing exactly two letter-size pages. The PDF will ultimately be sent to a commercial printer. Vector graphics must be used throughout in order to allow for printing at any resolution. We will not use a page bleed. You must leave at least 1/8 inch (3.175 mm) of whitespace at the edge of the page. The overall margin width and all other styling decisions are left to you.
We require you to upload your page design rendered in PDF at 300 dpi in the submission zip, and your editable Photoshop file plus any additional image files in the source zip. All graphics used in the design of the case study, with the sole exception of the TopCoder logo, must be entirely your own work. You may not use clip art, stock photography, or any other images that you did not create yourself.
Target audience
The case study will be distributed to prospective customers of TopCoder as a digital file and a printed handout. To picture how it will be used, imagine a TopCoder sales representative emailing it to a potential client or handing it out at a conference. The document must be attractive, informative, and totally professional.
Judging criteria
We will select winning submissions based on their suitability for TopCoder's marketing efforts. Visual impact, accuracy, and professionalism are crucial.
Branding requirements
The case study must be branded with the TopCoder logo. Attached to this contest is an image file for that purpose.
This document will not include the logo of the client company featured in the case study. Because the name "Acme" is an alias, the winning designer will be asked to substitute the real company name in the text of the case study as a final fix.
What to submit
Submission: A zip file containing the case study rendered in PDF at 300 dpi.
Source: A zip file containing your layered, fully editable Photoshop file as well as any other image files used to design the case study.
Preview: An image in JPG or PNG format, 791 pixels wide and 1024 pixels high, showing the first page of the case study.
Final fixes
If you win a prize, you may be asked to make minor changes to your work in order to meet the stated requirements of this contest. Learn more 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.