Challenge Summary
Welcome to the TopCoder Algorithm and Marathon Match Skill Badges design contest. The goal of this contest is to design achievement badges for the Algorithm and Marathon Match members. Similar to our past badge contests, we need badges designed to represent a specific achievement related to Algorithm and Marathon Match competitions.
Round 1
- Your submitted badge design for review, be sure it's clear and legible
- Badges MUST be designed using the attached template
- In this contest we are looking for badge designs in three categories: Meters, Special Badges and Skill Badges
- Note - provide any notes to explain your design
Round 2
- Final requested items
- Use of the provided badge template
- Updated badges incorporating feedback from the Milestone
- Note - Any comment about your design
Badges represent important achievements TopCoder members, TopCoder Studio members and TopCoder Copilots can earn. They are a symbol of pride and accomplishment. In this contest, we want to create badges for the Algorithm and Marathon Match winners to earn and be displayed on their TopCoder profile. You must use the attached UI/Starter kit to design the new badges. 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 when designing the new badges.
We need badges for the following areas:
- 6 new process achievement meters
- 5 special badges
- 4 skill badges
Badges should include:
Meters (These badges show a competitor's progression from a beginner status to advance achievement status.)
1. Rated Algorithm Competition Participations
- 1/5/25/100/300
2. SRM Room Wins (any division)
- 1/5/20/50/100
3. Solved Algorithm Problems
- 1/10/50/200/500
4. Successful Challenges
- 1/5/25/100/250
5. Marathon Competition Participations
(Note: this includes both rated and unrated matches)
- 1/3/10/20/50
6. Marathon Top-5 Placements
(Note: this includes both rated and unrated matches)
- 1/2/4/8/16
Special Badges: (Note: These will be added to the special badges collection that are currently created and applied to member profiles)
1. SRM Winner (Div-1)
2. SRM Winner (DIv-2)
3. Marathon Match Winner
4. Algorithm Target (Note: The word "Target" equals members who have a rating of 3000 or higher)
5. Marathon Target (Note: The word "Target" equals members who have a rating of 3000 or higher)
Skill Badges:
1. Algorithim Problem Writer
2. Marathon Copilot/Problem Writer
3. Solved DI-Hard problem in an SRM
4. Solved DII-Hard problem in an SRM
Technical Requirements
Each of the individual badges (not the meters) 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 obviously 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 specifically 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 9 badges and 6 meters 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.
Branding Guidelines
Like the existing badges, these will be displayed on member's profile pages. Your badge icons must complement and match the existing badge icons. You must not change the background of the badge, the reflection, the border or any other branded element of the “core” badge. You may not use clip art of any kind. All designs must be your original work. Colors are up to the designer to select but must match the set of icons in the badges already designed. See all of the badges here: http://apps.topcoder.com/wiki/display/tc/Achievement+Badges
We have provided a UI Kit/Starter Kit of the meters, special badges and skill badges for you to use. You must design your own new icons for this contest, but please use the existing PSD file and follow the same layer structure found within when creating your source file. File name: all_badges_page0812.psd.
Target Audience
- Algorithm and Marathon Match members to obtain and have displayed on their member profile.
- TopCoder staffers and Clients who will be browsing the member profiles.
Reference Designs
Use the attached UI/Starter kit for the badge design. Also, look at the TopCoder, TopCoder Studio, and Copilot member profiles for ideas. Do not copy the icons that appear on the badges since we want to make the Algorithm and Marathon Badges unique to their competitions. The following wiki page also explains the badges currently in use. http://apps.topcoder.com/wiki/display/tc/Achievement+Badges
To understand what Algorithm and Marathon Match members compete in, check out the following links
- The link below will show you past icons used in the navigation of the TCO sites. Look at these sites for inspiration. Do not copy the icons that appear in these links use them as inspiration.
http://community.topcoder.com/tc?module=Static&d1=tournaments&d2=home
- The link below is to the wiki page explaning Marathon Match Events
http://apps.topcoder.com/wiki/display/tc/How+to+Compete+in+Marathon+Match+Events
- The link below is to the page explaning an overview of Algorithm competitions
http://apps.topcoder.com/wiki/display/tc/Algorithm+Overview
Judging Criteria
- Badge design!
- Cleanliness of your graphics and design and if they show/appear clearly on the badges provided in the template
- Use of the appropriate shape badge for each achievement from the provided UI Kit
- Easily recognizable design. We want the users to be able to easily see the difference and know what the badge represents from from a glance.
- How well they incorporate and look with the current group of badges in use
What to Submit
Your badge designs within the attached required template. Each of the individual badges (not the meters) 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 obviously 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 specifically 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 9 badges and 6 meters into this template, then hide the gray background squares and save the template as one (1) 1024x1024 PNG image. Upload the resulting file in your submission zip, and also upload it as your preview image.
Submission ZIP File
All requested contest requirements as JPG or PNG files.
Source ZIP File
All fully editable original source files of the submitted design as required by the contest under "Source Files" in the side bar. All fonts must be declared according to the font policies.
Final Fixes
As part of the final fixes phase you may be asked to complete one round of minor changes to ensure 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.