Challenge Summary
Welcome to What is Design Studio? Video or Animation Contest!
Client wants to run a video or animation video contest exclusively for Design Studio. This project needs to explain how Design Studio works and will be primarily used on the Design Studio Landing page and possibly at conferences or other events.
In this contest, we need your skills to create either a video, animation or combination of the two using Adobe After Effects (Saved for CS6), Final Cut Pro X, or Adobe Premier (Saved for CS6) . The project files must be saved and able to open in the programs listed.
Let us know if you have any doubts and we can discuss that in the forums.
Looking forward your submission and good luck!
Round 1
For Round 1, Submission files (Animated video) should be COMPRESSED and needs to be less than 60 MB in size.
Notes.jpg: Any comments about your work for the Client
Round 2
Updated Animation Video based on R1 feedback. You can include original size of the video (no need to compress).
Notes.jpg: Any comments about your work for the Client
Contest Details
Client wants to make an animation video that explains what Design Studio is and what it does. It will be primarily used on Design Studio Landing page and will be played at conferences or presentations when need to talk about Design Studio. The primary purpose is to introduce Design Studio to beginners.
General Guidelines
(1) Make absolutely sure this video is targeted to new and potential members - Video should get them excited about Design Studio. It is NOT a video to explain how to compete or what to do once you are a member.
(2) We DO NOT want to highlight Design Studio rules and policies in this video.
(3) Video length should NOT exceed 2 minutes.
(4) You can come up with your own ideas. Be creative, Sky is the limit. At the same time, keep it simple.
(5) Your submission should be unique and tell a story of how Design Studio works. You may showcase some of the featured Design Studio works in your video.
(6) You may create Characters/Mascots for the video.
(7) We would like the video to tell a story, a progression from someone who came to the Studio website, registered, competed, won money, learned from others and created a real world project. We would like this to be viewed as a road map or tree that branches off in different directions as the member grows in the community.
(8) AVOID using any references to "Topcoder" in the video.
(9) Feel free to use screens from any of the studio contests referenced in the "great studio designs" document. You will need to download the preview files from the links provided.
(10) If you need TCO logo in your video, please see the attached file.
You may use the following ideas for your video. You are always welcome to come up with fresh ideas.
(1) You may Include facts that appeal most to designers. Here are some facts about Design Studio:
- A place to compete
- A place to learn (get individual feedback and try new contest types)
- A place to earn (more than $4Million paid out to the Design Studio Community)
- A place for opportunities (big name clients like Best Buy, ESPN, Geico and more. See more here)
- A place to become the best (monthly and yearly championship tournaments (TCO, Studio cup) paying hundreds of thousands every year)
- A place for talented designers.
Animation Video Requirements
You need to use either Adobe After Effects (Saved for CS6), Adobe Premier (Saved for CS6) or Final Cut Pro X or to create this video.
- If using Final Cut,you must include all project files and folders
- If using Adobe Premier, you must include all project files and folders
- If After Effects, use CS5.5 or later.
Plug-ins/Effects/Music Tracks
- Any audio files/soundtracks used should be either royalty free, created by the designer or a licensed purchased version. If you use royalty free, you need to show us the "free" usage terms, otherwise your submission will FAIL screening.
- Please read Studio font policy if you’re planning to use nonstandard fonts.
- Any third party graphics effects used should be declared (same as fonts).The final deliverable however should be flattened.
- If you need TCO logo in your video, please see the attached file.
Animation Video Formats
If using After Effects
- After Effects project settings should be 1920x1080 with frame rate of 29.97 or 59.94 (NTSC)
- Final Deliverable Export Resolution: QuickTime 1920x1080 (can be 29.97/59.94), lossless Animation
- Pixel aspect ration should be set to Square Pixels in After Effects (see attachment : After_Effects_Settings.png)
- Channels: RGB
- For Round 1, Preview files should be COMPRESSED to under 60MB.
- Include Audio files if you’re using any (Preferably in .wav format).
- All Layers/Adjustment Layers must be included
If using Final Cut
If using Final Cut (see attachment: FinalCut_settings.png), you can edit and export in 1080i or 1080p. The final deliverable will be the project and video files plus a compressed version (Apple Pro Res4444 or 422(HQ). We will export in other formats if we need to with the project files.
If using Adobe Premier
Please export at the highest resolution from Premier. Make sure the resolution however is 1920x1080.
Inspiration: You may check these videos for inspiration. Please DO NOT copy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2U-nyTpHDY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0piV7m394Q
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pXyI-O4oQ4U
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b_NXPekPEXc&list=SPD96599364379C747
Adobe After Effects tutorial:
http://www.hongkiat.com/blog/adobe-after-effect-tutorials-beginners-intermediate-advanced-users/
http://layersmagazine.com/category/aftereffects
http://ae.tutsplus.com/
http://www.noupe.com/tutorial/50-excellent-adobe-after-effects-tutorials.html
http://www.videocopilot.net/tutorials/
Target Audience
- New and Potential Design Studio Members
- Existing Design Studio members
- Possible clients of Design Studio
- Sponsors
Judging Criteria
- How creative your video is.
- How well it conveys the idea.
- The smoothness/innovativeness of the transitions.
- Perfection of the video
Preview Image
Please create your preview image as one (1) 1024 x 576 JPG or PNG file in RGB color mode at 72dpi.
Contest Deliverables
Submission File
All requested Contest Deliverables in MOV or other video format. For Round 1, Preview files should be COMPRESSED and needs to be less than 60 MB in size.
You can include the original size for Round 2.
Source Files
If you use After Effects, all original source files of the animation video created as (.aep) Adobe After Effect Project.
If you use Final Cut, the final deliverables will be the project, video files plus a compressed version (Apple Pro Res4444 or 422(HQ).
Final Fixes
As part of the final fixes phase you may be asked to fix some parts of the video or change text elements.
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.