Challenge Summary
Welcome to “TopCoder Design Studio Icon and Social Media Backdrop Design contest”. TopCoder Design Studio just launched a new logo and we want to redesign and strengthen the overall presentation branding following the new logo. The goal of this contest is to create a new icon for TopCoder Design Studio and to create a new background for our social media pages, facebook, twitter, google+ etc.
At the end of this contest, we are looking for a creative, unique, sharp, and high tech icon that represents Design Studio and has some resemblance or tie in to the new Design Studio logo. We are also looking for a fresh, new and enticing social media backdrop that also reflects the New TopCoder Design Studio logo. We would like you to be creative here and create something unique.
Round 1
Initial icon and backdrop design for client review
Round 2
all contest requirements as stated in contest details with client feedback applied
In this contest, we need your help to create a new icon and social media backdrop that reflects visually the New TopCoder Design Studio. The icon and social media backdrop must somehow represented and be able to interpret the core projects of Design Studio:
- Web Design
- Logo Design
- Banners/Icons
- Application Front-End Design
- Widget or Mobile Screen Design
- Front-End Flash
- Print/Presentation
- Studio Other
- Wireframes
- Idea Generation
Contest Requirements :
1. TopCoder Design Studio Icons.
- Create a new icon identity for TopCoder Design Studio to be used in LinkedIn and other social media platforms. The new Design Studio logo (attached) must somehow be represented in your design. (This same icon can be resized and used in item #5 below).
- Please create your icon in the following size :
* 160x160px and 180x180px (Facebook)
* 250x250px (Google+)
* 80x80px (Twitter)
* 200x200px and 100x60px (LinkedIn http://www.linkedin.com/groups/TopCoder-Design-Studio-4915497)
2. TopCoder Design Studio FB Page : https://www.facebook.com/pages/TopCoder-Studio-Design-Competitions/32709273825
- Create two version of facebook timeline cover (one with and one without the new logo inside the design).
- Please create the Facebook cover in 851x315px size.
- For more information about cover size and it's layout details, check this link : https://www.facebook.com/CoverPhotoSize
3. TopCoder Design Studio Twitter Page : https://twitter.com/TCStudio
- Create a twitter background that looks good on different resolutions.
- Unlike other social media sites, Twitter does not have a specification for the background resolution (or at least we could find). Please research and use your judgement here to see what looks best. The graphic background has to work for many resolution sizes. The Design Studio logo has to be visible on the screen in multiple resolutions. If you were to create a 1024x768 px background, how would that background look for people with smaller or larger resolution monitors.
- For reference please use: http://www.hobo-web.co.uk/best-screen-size/ Most popular screen resolution was 1024x768 and in 2013 it is now 1366x768.
- Create a twitter header.
- Twitter : http://twitterheadersize.com/, http://personalweb.about.com/od/twitter101/a/Twitter-Header-Basic-Tutorial.htm, http://personalweb.about.com/od/howtotwitter/ss/Twitter-Background.htm
4. TopCoder Design Studio Google+ Page : https://plus.google.com/u/0/114293851683836424314/posts
- Create a google+ background cover.
- Create the background cover in maximum size which is 2120px x 1192px
- Please make sure the background cover will looks good in lower resolution.
- More information about google+ background cover can be found in this link : https://plus.google.com/107547299046855814776/posts
Design Requirements :
- Do not use element like paintbrushes, arrows or brackets in your icon design.
- We want to see a high tech and sharp icon design.
- Do not use any kind of clip art in your icon design. All design must be your original work.
- Colors for icon and backdrop are open to the designers but it must have the current “feeling” of the new TopCoder Studio logo.
- Font is open to designer. Please pay attention to Studio font policy.
References :
- Icon Based identity articles : http://www.computerarts.co.uk/tutorials/design-dynamic-icon-based-identity, http://www.atomicdust.com/blog/single/icon-design-rules-of-the-road/
- Previous social media Studio timeline cover contest: http://studio.topcoder.com/?module=ViewContestDetails&ct=30026674
- Correct image sizes for social media account : http://www.solucioneswebplus.com/en/correct-image-sizes-facebook-twitter-googleplus-linkedin/
Target Audience
- Social Media user
- Graphic Designers
- Creative People / General Public.
- Potential Client
Judging Criteria
- Cleanliness of your graphics.
- Easily recognizable design.
- Quality and execution.
Submissions & Source Files
Preview Image:
Please create your preview image as one (1) 1024x1024 JPG or PNG file in RGB color mode at 72dpi and place your submissions within it. You are free to resize or crop your submission to fit this size, but do not add any filters or elements for dramatic effect, such as drop shadows or reflections.
Submission File:
Include all requested Contest Deliverables in JPG or PNG file format in RGB color mode at 72dpi.
Source File:
All original source files of the submitted design that FULLY EDITABLE.Your source files must meet these requirements:
1) Icon design should be created using Adobe Illustrator and saved as layered AI or EPS files.
2) Backdrop design should be created using Adobe Photoshop and saved as layered PSD files.
Final Fixes:
As part of the final fixes phase you may be asked to modify your graphics (sizes or colors) or modify overall colors.
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.