TopCoder-CloudSpokes Error Page Design Contest

BONUS: 5‌ CHECKPOINTS AWARDED WORTH ‌$50‌ EACH

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Challenge Summary

Welcome to TopCoder-CloudSpokes Error Page Design Contest
We are looking forward to design a fun, unique and useful custom error page to be displayed in our new TC-CS website “when something goes wrong” (server failure). We need your creativity to design an exciting thing the user should see when the site is having error/down issue.

Round 1

Your initial error page design for checkpoint feedback.
- Provide any notes if you need to explain about your design.

Round 2

Your complete submission with checkpoint feedback applied.


Primary Goal:
The primary goal of this contest is to design a web page with a custom error message. The design challenge is focused on the creation of a unique design, very original, that shows there was a server error. Design a custom error page that will be used to be prompted to the user when a strange error occurs in the site, web server error, data base error, high traffic error, anything. This design will cover any kind of error of the site.

Design Requirement:
- The page must display the new TC-CS logo (attached) somewhere, somehow.
- The page should have links to our website home, support, anything you find useful.
- The page must display a friendly error message. Propose something according to your design. Sample: “We’re sorry, the site is not responding right now”. We don’t like that (not-friendly), but it’s just a sample for a start. We are looking for your best approachment.
--- Keep in mind we may replace this text later with some other kind of error, so please provide an appropriate area for this in your design.
- The page should not have header, footer or menu navigation of the current website. This is a white canvas for you to explore creative options.
- We envision a very friendly page, different. Think about the Twitter whale, github error page, and so on. Something unique, friendly and fun.
- Use of illustrations is highly encouraged. You can create a character, mascot or figure if you want.
- Find some inspiration on this article. DON’T COPY ANYTHING, this is just for reference.

Branding Guideline:
- Color: The overall look should use some branding/colors of the existing design. See HomePage_storyboard.zip for reference. It doesn’t have to be exactly the same feeling, we are open to suggestions.
- Fonts: Use web-safe fonts for the pages content.
- Size: Your design must fit 1024 pixels wide screen resolution.

Target Audience
- Current and potential customers
- Current and potential community (The entire TopCoder Community AND the entire Cloudspokes community)

Judging Criteria
- Originality of your design. Is it something unique?
- Design quality.
- User Experience.

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 
Submit JPG/PNG image files based on contest submission requirements stated above.

Source Files 
All original source files. Original source files should be saved as layered Photoshop 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. If items were missed from the checkpoint round you may be asked to include them in your final design.

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.

Stock Photography

Stock photography is not allowed in this challenge. All submitted elements must be designed solely by you. See this page for more details.

How To Submit

  • New to Studio? ‌Learn how to compete here
  • Upload your submission in three parts (Learn more here). Your design should be finalized and should contain only a single design concept (do not include multiple designs in a single submission).
  • If your submission wins, your source files must be correct and “Final Fixes” (if applicable) must be completed before payment can be released.
  • You may submit as many times as you'd like during the submission phase, but only the number of files listed above in the Submission Limit that you rank the highest will be considered. You can change the order of your submissions at any time during the submission phase. If you make revisions to your design, please delete submissions you are replacing.

Winner Selection

Submissions are viewable to the client as they are entered into the challenge. Winners are selected by the client and are chosen solely at the client's discretion.

ELIGIBLE EVENTS:

2014 TopCoder(R) Open

Challenge links

Screening Scorecard

Submission format

Your Design Files:

  1. Look for instructions in this challenge regarding what files to provide.
  2. Place your submission files into a "Submission.zip" file.
  3. Place all of your source files into a "Source.zip" file.
  4. Declare your fonts, stock photos, and icons in a "Declaration.txt" file.
  5. Create a JPG preview file.
  6. Place the 4 files you just created into a single zip file. This will be what you upload.

Trouble formatting your submission or want to learn more? ‌Read the FAQ.

Fonts, Stock Photos, and Icons:

All fonts, stock photos, and icons within your design must be declared when you submit. DO NOT include any 3rd party files in your submission or source files. Read about the policy.

Screening:

All submissions are screened for eligibility before the challenge holder picks winners. Don't let your hard work go to waste. Learn more about how to  pass screening.

Challenge links

Questions? ‌Ask in the Challenge Discussion Forums.

Source files

  • Layered PSD files created in Adobe Photoshop or similar

You must include all source files with your submission.

Submission limit

5 submissions

ID: 30038650