Challenge Summary
We recently introduced badges to make membership more fun and rewarding in Studio and TopCoder software. Now we're adding a new installment of badges to recognize more member achievements and skills.
Round 1
All badges specified below must be submitted in the milestone round.
Round 2
All badges specified below must be submitted in the final round.
Overview
The attached UI kit includes the set of badges that we are currently using. Note that different groups of badges are distinguished by their shapes, as shown at the top of the UI kit. You must use the appropriate shapes in designing the new badges listed below, and follow the other design guidelines given in the attached branding document.
Special badges
We are adding five new Special badges to the seven existing ones.
- Member of the month: both Studio and TopCoder software recognize top members on a monthly basis
- TopCoder event trip winner: we want to recognize members who have won a trip for any reason, such as blogging or copiloting
- TCCC on-site competitor: the TopCoder Collegiate Challenge (TCCC) tournaments were open to university students only
- TCCC finalist
- TCCC champion
Community badges
We are making a completely new set of four Community badges. These will be awarded by TopCoder staff to members who are valued for their contributions to the communities of Studio and TopCoder software.
- Studio spirit: a spirit award recognizes a member's extraordinary enthusiasm, generosity, and creativity
- Studio mentor: a mentor is a veteran member who offers guidance and advice to less experienced members
- TopCoder spirit: we also want to recognize good citizens of the TopCoder software community
- TopCoder mentor: a veteran member who offers assistance in the software community
Skill badges
We are making a new set of three Skill badges to recognize members who carry out administrative tasks.
- Studio spec reviewer: these members review the contest specifications prior to launch
- Studio screener: these members screen submissions for compliance with Studio standards and contest requirements
- TopCoder reviewer: these are experienced TopCoder software members who evaluate the submissions in technical contests
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 24 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.
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 Studio members and TopCoder software members will display with pride. While keeping to the guidelines in the branding document, strive for visual variety so that users can tell badges apart at a glance.
Branding guidelines
Some badges will be displayed on both Studio and TopCoder software member profiles, while others will be displayed on only one or the other, as specified above. Please consult the attached branding document for additional guidelines.
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, layered, 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. Read 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.