Challenge Summary
We are thrilled to introduce this challenge to our talented community! We need to design two graphics to be used in a web page that contains information about the International Space Station (so cool!). We need to show off design skills to make this look stunning, 3D and professional. Are you ready for the challenge? Welcome!
Jump in now! The submission deadline is tight and we need your help.
Round 1
For your R1 deliverables please submit the requested graphics from the “Design Requirements” section.
1) ISS Operations
2) ISS Angles
Round 2
Final design will contain the requested graphic from the “Design Requirements” section plus any updates from client feedback.
1) ISS Operations
2) ISS Angles
The primary goal of this contest is to design two graphics with the ISS (International Space Station) as main view object with labels/text to display certain information about the components and features of this satellite.
These graphics will be used as a resource in a TopCoder Marathon match. Competitors will read the contest description with these graphics in order to understand how to operate the ISS during the match. You can find Sample_Marathon_Description_Page.png attached to visualize how they will be placed (separately) in a Marathon description web page.
Branding and Guidelines
- You can take the NTL site as reference for any branding resource. However, clarity on the design is more important than the branding here.
- The ISS is the main design concern. Make it look professional and 3D style. It doesn't have to be total 3D with high definition textures, etc. It should be an illustration/drawing of the station.
- Your design must fit 721 pixels wide. Height is up to you (necessary enough to show your design requirements).
- Colors are open to designers.
- Fonts are open to designers. Since we need fonts just for simple labels we don’t think you’ll need fancy fonts, keep it simple.
Design Requirements
1) ISS Operations
- See ISS_Operations.jpg. You need to re-draw this graphic basically. Design a professional looking graphic using this as basis. It should look in some 3D/perspective view. The graphic should include the shown labels and probably add some graphic features that show the dynamics of some allowed rotations (arrows) in some parts of the ISS. This image must be very CLEAR, easy to the eye.
ISS Operations Instructions
The following information is extra, and it’s meant to show how the ISS can operate. This is not meant to be shown in your design at all. This will be written out below the graphic in the Marathon match contest description page. It could help you to understand what each label means, that’s all.
- There are three axes, X, Y and Z respectively.
- The main purpose is to show which parts of the station can be rotated and how rotation angles are measured. There are overall 12 rotation axes:
- There are 8 solar arrays called 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B, 4A, 4B. These rotation axes are also called BGA axes.
- There are SSARJ and PSARJ rotation axes. Each of them rotates 4 arrays attached to it simultaneously.
- There are also LOOP A and LOOP B radiators.
- The big arrows show a positive direction of rotation for each rotation axe. I.e., if we rotate in this direction, rotation angle will increase. Numbers near each arrow state the rotation angle values for the specific location illustrated at the picture. For example, solar array 2B is now at angle 270 (degrees).
- The picture also shows sun and +beta/-beta direction, though it is not absolutely necessary here
2) ISS Angles
- See ISS_Angles.png. You need to re-draw this illustration. Design a professional looking graphic using this as basis. ISS is focus again, it should look somehow 3D/perspective view. Include the shown labels and angles. Make this graphic clear and easy to read.
ISS Angles Instructions
The following information is extra, and it’s meant to show the ISS angles details. This is not meant to be shown in your design at all. This will be written out below the graphic in the Marathon match contest description page. It could help you to understand what each label means, that’s all.
- Small image of ISS in the middle (at the origin of the coordinate system).
- X, Y, Z axes and their direction.
- It also illustrates sun movement and concept of beta angle. We assume that ISS is static and doesn't move. The picture illustrates the sun planes for beta = -70, -45, 0, 45, 70.
- There is also a concept of alpha angle. It characterizes a specific location of the sun. This angle is always between 0 (inclusive) and 360 (exclusive) degrees.
- Finally, there is also concept of changing yaw angle. The default ISS position shown in the image is yaw = 0. Changing yaw means rotating the station around Z axis. The picture shows the direction of rotation called '+yaw' (i.e. increasing yaw angle). This direction of rotation is basically from +y towards -x.
Resources
Check the attachment ISS_Views.zip. These images show the ISS in several perspective angles you can take as resource to recreate the 3D drawing. There is another resource attached, ISS_3DModel.zip, which contains an ISS 3D model that you can open with any free CAD software. This model is a 3D replica of the ISS, you can rotate it, scale it, etc, that’s a good resource for you to use as guidance to draw the satellite.You're encourage to use any CAD software of your choosing; we found this free tool, netfabb, you can give it a try or just use whatever software that fits your needs. You can search for real images of the satellite for guidance too, just Google “ISS” (DON'T USE any image from the web directly in your design, use them as GUIDANCE only, otherwise you'll fail screening).
Target Audience
TopCoder Marathon competitors and software developers.
Judging Criteria
- Clarity on the design. How easy is it to understand?
- Quality of design.
Submission File
All requested contest requirements/screens as JPG or PNG files at 72dpi.
Source Files
All original source files of the submitted design. Files should be saved as Adobe Photoshop or Adobe Illustrator layered files.
Preview Image
Create a 1024x1024 JPG or PNG file in RGB color mode and place a screenshot from your submission within it.
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.