Challenge Summary
Welcome to the "Appirio Way" Concept Graphic Refinement Challenge. The goal of this contest is to improve and build upon the supplied graphics that will help portray Appirio’s methodology/procedures to customers in a compelling and easy to understand way. We are looking to graphically portray an approach of doing things differently than “traditional system integrators,” operating in an iterative and agile fashion. We want customers to quickly understand the all steps in the Appirio process.
This challenge is a continuation of the first Appirio Way Graphic Creation Contest
Round 1
Your submitted graphics for a client review.
Graphic/visuals showing the new "Appirio Way" Graphic
Round 2
All Final designs!
- "Appirio Way" graphic
- Plus any Checkpoint feedback or changes
Contest Details
We are looking for you to review the provided content and graphic and help portray Appirio’s methodology to our customers and team. Similar to how the Design Studio Community has defined the TopCoder factory modal over the years - we need you to make use of good visual aids, icons and graphic design in order to generate a solid first impression on the viewer.
We want to be able to use these graphics in any of our presentations, wiki and the website.
Submissions Deliverables
For this contest you need format your submission as stated below
1). Design your graphics to fit within a 1024x768 presentation slide
2). Any original graphics must be created as vector format from Adobe Illustrator (.ai) source files.
Design Problem
Appirio has an internal Consulting Services group that wants to refine how they talk about their processes. They need easy to understand graphics that quickly and graphically illustrates to their audience how they mange and run projects.
We are looking to refine and improve on the provided infographic. The current graphic is successful in communicating the concepts that we are looking for in the “Appirio Way” - but now we are looking to you to make it better!
Use the source file provided (created in a previous challenge) and look to improve on the graphic in the following ways.
- The “6” shaped graphic does a great job of integrating the “6” stages of the “Appirio Way” into it’s shape...but what would it look like with a different‘ “6” shape or some other shape? Could it be more of a circular shape? Maybe smooth shape as opposed to an angular shape? We want to see some options.
- The 6 stages are represented by 6 icons that make up the shape. This is a great way of helping tell the story of the “Appirio Way”. What do these icons look like when separate from the main “Appirio Way” graphic? Should the icons be in a simple uniform shape? Should they be simple icons that are color coordinated to the main “Appirio Way” graphic? We want to see some options on this.
- Something else to consider. The graphic could use improvement in demonstrating the “iterative” process within the “Appirio Way”. Is there a way to highlight the development and user review segments to show this? Can it be a color overlay showing the iterative process? What is the simplest way to convey this in your design? Remember...it’s important to show how these two stages interact as it is essential to showing Appirio’s agile approach.
- Extra credit! If you have a different idea for any of the 6 icons, feel free to incorporate them into your design...we’re always looking to improve on what we have.
Description
Appirio uses a “hybrid agile” 6-phase approach we call the "Appirio Way".
The phases are:
1) Define
2) Design
3) Develop
4) User Review
5) Deploy
6) Measure
Each phase has a set of steps and checkpoints associated with them. Each phase has 3-5 steps. There are 2 formal checkpoints (after Design and after User Review) and informal checkpoints within each phase.
The "Appirio Way" hybrid agile model starts with Define and Design Phases. Once the customer and project team complete the Define and Design phases, there is a formal Scope Checkpoint Review to approve the scope. The project then breaks into “sprints.” Each sprint is an iteration of “mini” Define/Design phases (where requirements may be traded off for the project) followed by Develop and User Review phases. Once the last sprint is completed, a formal User Review Checkpoint is held to approve the project moving into the Deploy Phase, which is then followed by the Measure Phase.
Definitions
Phase – Steps in the macro "Appirio Way" process
Steps –Activities that happen within a phase
Sprint – A combination of Define/Design/Develop/User Review/Deploy steps in a project that occurs after the Scope Checkpoint Review
Formal Checkpoints – Customer/Appirio reviews on project progress at the end of Design and final User Review phases
Informal Checkpoints – These may change/evolve but current informal checkpoints by phase include:
-- Define: Story Review and Prioritization
-- Design: Release Plan and Story signoff
-- Develop: Daily Standup
-- User Review: Sprint Review
-- Deploy: Project Signoff
Note that there may be multiple informal checkpoints within a phase and all are joint Appirio/Customer checkpoints.
Expected Design Solutions
Please use the attached source files to start your design.
- Illustrate the steps and the iterative “hybrid agile” approach
- Design the proper graphics or icons to illustrate the process
- Design and Illustrate the process to make it understandable and 'different' than traditional methodologies.
- No chevrons!
- Representing close interaction between Appirio customers and consultants.
- Making this process something highly visual and easy to understand
Branding Guidelines
- Design theme should follow the current Appirio brand (http://appirio.com)
- Review the correct usage of fonts and colors (AppirioStyleGuide.pdf)
- New graphics should look clean, professional and modern!
- Include the logo within your design (Appirio-Logo.zip)
Target User
- Appirio customers and employees
Judging Criteria
- Ability to represent the Appirio Way process in a cutting edge way
- Cleanliness of your graphics and design
- Design need look simple and professional
Submission & Source Files
Preview Image
Please create your preview image as one (1) 1024x1024px JPG or PNG file in RGB color mode at 72dpi and place a screenshot of your submission within it.
Submission File
Your graphics as JPG or PNG files.
Source Files
All original source files of the submitted design. Original source files of AI / EPS (Illustrator) vector graphic 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.