Challenge Summary
Welcome to the "GET - Rapid UX - rOS App Design Concepts Challenge"! We are looking for your help in creating UI/UX design concepts for our future Train "Control Tower" Application. The goal of this application is to help oversee the network of trains and tracks leveraging modern sensors, data, artificial intelligence, and automation. The new "control tower" for the railroad may include large displays on the walls and shared touchscreen tables where people collaborate.
What is a GET "Rapid UX Challenge"?
GE Transportation is excited to include the Topcoder Design Community within their design process. The GET (GE Transportation) Rapid UX Challenge is leveraging ideas from our famous RUX challenges and integrating it into how the GE team would like to rapidly create concepts for their design workshops and customers. This challenge has a specific format that we are looking to repeat for all GET challenges.
The GET "Rapid UX Challenges" provides you with an opportunity to showcase your design concepts and user experience (UI/UX) design skills to one of the largest companies in the world!
Rapid UX Challenge Format
- Challenge Start: Thursday, 16th March 2017 5 pm EDT
- Rolling Checkpoint Review Start: Monday, 20th March 2017 7 am EDT
- Challenge Ends: Thursday, 23rd March 7 am EDT
Note: You do not need to have any design challenge experience to join this challenge - Just jump in and give it a try! Make sure to follow the challenge details, the challenge forum and ask questions.
Challenge Background Overview
Similar to an air traffic control tower, the railroad industry has people who oversee the network of trains and tracks. They perform a number of tasks, including:
- Preventing traffic congestion
- Sending maintenance crews to repair track segments
- Scheduling train part replacements at specific stations
- And prioritizing the movement of specific shipments and shipping containers.
In the future, many of their daily decisions and tasks will be replaced by sensors, data, artificial intelligence, and automation. The role of humans will become more strategic and analytical, with multiple people working together to discussion larger problems to solve. The new "control tower" for the railroad may include large displays on the walls and shared touchscreen tables where people collaborate.
Design Problem
Create design concepts for a new software application that would run on a large touchscreen, for example, on a Microsoft Surface tablet. This application would be used by many people in many places at the same time, as they discuss problems and assign tasks to each other.
We are offering 5 Prize Placements
1) 1st Placement: $1700
2) 2nd Placement: $800
3) 3rd Placement: $300
4) 4th Placement: $200
5) 5th Placement: $100
- Plus 5 placements for Rolling Checkpoint prizes @ $50 each!
Note: Important Rolling Checkpoint Details
- Adroc and GE Team will be available to answer your questions.
- Get your questions in early to clear any doubts and misunderstanding regarding the requirements!
- You must watch the Forum for your feedback!
*All initial qualifying checkpoint submissions will win $50 (5 Placements)
Challenge Documents
- ros-rux-topcoder-wireframes-mar2017.pdf (DO NOT COPY, use it as reference and inspiration only!!)
- nc_design_toolkit.zip (Branding Guidelines)
Design Consideration
- Clean and streamlined design and user flow
- Easy to find all the necessary information
- Show us concepts and ideas for how things could be designed and function. Maybe it is one screen (dashboard) with overlays and flyout windows. Maybe it is multiple screens and panels for different kinds of functionality and tasks. We are open and looking for your ideas and solutions.
General Requirements
- This application is going to be developed as a Desktop Web Application
- Desktop standard will be a Microsoft Surface table (touchscreen) at 42.5 x 27 inches (108x68.6 cm) with a 4:3 aspect ratio.
- Use 1600px x 1200px as your base design.
Branding Guidelines
- Follow Branding Guidelines in “nc_design_toolkit.zip” attached in challenge details.
- This should be a serious/useful designed application
- We are looking for concepts and ideas!
User Flow
1. Learn about a future problem
- A person is monitoring the current train network and received a notification that a delay happening right now has created a predicted problem 8 hours from now.
- A specific train station will now be understaffed to handle the number of trains at that station.
- The person needs to review this notification's details, jump to the time and place within the geographic view, review recommendations from the software on how to fix it (perhaps with a simulation and/or weighing one or more recommended options), and accept or modify a recommendation to see the predicted problem go away.
2. Monitor team's activity
- A person needs to see where (on the map) and when (in the future) other people are making changes.
- For example, Person 1 sees Person 2 is working in a specific geographic region and they are making changes to trains operating 5 hours in the future within that region.
3. Collaborate with remote workers
- A person needs to contact another person in another office.
- They will use the application to contact them via their profile, use video conferencing within the touchscreen, and possibly share their screen to show data and visualizations while they discuss a problem.
4. Simulate changes and share the simulation
- A person needs to run a simulation, to create a recommendation, then save that simulation to share with another person and ask a question.
- The other person receives this recommendation as a task to review and approve.
Possible Features
We are looking for these features, but they may be panels, tooltips, or other interactions.
01) Dashboard
- Provides Geographic monitoring of current track health, train movement, and network statistics compared to expected averages. For example, highlight trains or areas moving more slowly than usual.
- Ability to Zooming and panning across regions.
- Ability to Scrubbing in time, to view future states.
02) Forecast
- A means of highlighting specific places and times that may need human attention.
- For example, representing within the "now" geography that an important future event will happen within a location currently being viewed.
03) Notifications
- Notifications of varying priority levels, letting humans know where and when (in the future) they need to assist in or replace automated decisions. (See below for more detail on the types of events that may exist in notifications.)
04) Team Management
- Integrated team management, tasking, and communication tools.
- Avatars/Profiles of humans working in specific "control tower" locations around the country. These profiles can be used to assign tasks or to contact.
- Task management. A drag and drop interface (for example) could allow notifications to be seen by one human and assigned to another who then sees it appear as a medium or high priority task.
- Video conferencing and screen-sharing. Profiles may be used to initiate direct contact with one or more humans in other "control tower" offices or out in the field, to share data visualizations and collaborate on decisions.
05) Sharing
- A means of expanding a specific view onto another device like an oversized wall display. In this case, the application may be used on a touch table, for example, and then user may "toss" the view onto the wall to have a conversation with other people in the room.
06) Team Location
- A means of seeing where (and when in the future) specific team members are working. For example, if a person in another “control tower” location is currently working on a specific region to resolve issues predicted to happen five days from now, it may be helpful to see which people are working on what.
07) Bookmarking
- A means of bookmarking or sharing specific views for later use, attaching to tasks, or passing to other people.
08) Additional Features/Screens
- Feel free to create new features/screens for any other functionality that you think important for this apps.
09) Marvel Prototype
- As part of this challenge, you must upload your files to MarvelApp
- We want to use Marvel App to provide direct and fast feedback!
- No additional functionality is required! Just make sure your screen(s) are in the correct viewing order (number them 00, 01, 02, 03, etc.)
- If you do not have access to the Topcoder Marvel App Account please contact adroc@topcoder.com or fajar.mln@gmail.com
- You MUST include your Topcoder Marvel App URL (share view, not project view) within your Notes file
Target Audience
- Train Traffic Control Employees (strategic and analytical person)
Judging Criteria
Your submission will be judged on the following criteria:
- Overall idea and execution of concepts
- How well does your design align with the objectives of the challenge
- Execution and thoughtfulness put into the solving the problem
- Overall design and user experience
- Cleanliness of screen design and user flow
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 for your submission files.
Source Files
All original source files of the submitted design. Files should be created in Adobe Photoshop and saved as a layered PSD file, or Adobe Illustrator as a layered AI file or Sketch! Sketch is a preferred format for the GE Transportation Design Team.
Final Fixes
As part of the final fixes phase, you may be asked to modify your graphics (sizes or colors), modify overall colors and merge multiple concepts together. We may ask you to update your design or graphics based on checkpoint feedback.
What is a GET "Rapid UX Challenge"?
GE Transportation is excited to include the Topcoder Design Community within their design process. The GET (GE Transportation) Rapid UX Challenge is leveraging ideas from our famous RUX challenges and integrating it into how the GE team would like to rapidly create concepts for their design workshops and customers. This challenge has a specific format that we are looking to repeat for all GET challenges.
The GET "Rapid UX Challenges" provides you with an opportunity to showcase your design concepts and user experience (UI/UX) design skills to one of the largest companies in the world!
Rapid UX Challenge Format
- Challenge Start: Thursday, 16th March 2017 5 pm EDT
- Rolling Checkpoint Review Start: Monday, 20th March 2017 7 am EDT
- Challenge Ends: Thursday, 23rd March 7 am EDT
Note: You do not need to have any design challenge experience to join this challenge - Just jump in and give it a try! Make sure to follow the challenge details, the challenge forum and ask questions.
Challenge Background Overview
Similar to an air traffic control tower, the railroad industry has people who oversee the network of trains and tracks. They perform a number of tasks, including:
- Preventing traffic congestion
- Sending maintenance crews to repair track segments
- Scheduling train part replacements at specific stations
- And prioritizing the movement of specific shipments and shipping containers.
In the future, many of their daily decisions and tasks will be replaced by sensors, data, artificial intelligence, and automation. The role of humans will become more strategic and analytical, with multiple people working together to discussion larger problems to solve. The new "control tower" for the railroad may include large displays on the walls and shared touchscreen tables where people collaborate.
Design Problem
Create design concepts for a new software application that would run on a large touchscreen, for example, on a Microsoft Surface tablet. This application would be used by many people in many places at the same time, as they discuss problems and assign tasks to each other.
We are offering 5 Prize Placements
1) 1st Placement: $1700
2) 2nd Placement: $800
3) 3rd Placement: $300
4) 4th Placement: $200
5) 5th Placement: $100
- Plus 5 placements for Rolling Checkpoint prizes @ $50 each!
Note: Important Rolling Checkpoint Details
- Adroc and GE Team will be available to answer your questions.
- Get your questions in early to clear any doubts and misunderstanding regarding the requirements!
- You must watch the Forum for your feedback!
*All initial qualifying checkpoint submissions will win $50 (5 Placements)
Challenge Documents
- ros-rux-topcoder-wireframes-mar2017.pdf (DO NOT COPY, use it as reference and inspiration only!!)
- nc_design_toolkit.zip (Branding Guidelines)
Design Consideration
- Clean and streamlined design and user flow
- Easy to find all the necessary information
- Show us concepts and ideas for how things could be designed and function. Maybe it is one screen (dashboard) with overlays and flyout windows. Maybe it is multiple screens and panels for different kinds of functionality and tasks. We are open and looking for your ideas and solutions.
General Requirements
- This application is going to be developed as a Desktop Web Application
- Desktop standard will be a Microsoft Surface table (touchscreen) at 42.5 x 27 inches (108x68.6 cm) with a 4:3 aspect ratio.
- Use 1600px x 1200px as your base design.
Branding Guidelines
- Follow Branding Guidelines in “nc_design_toolkit.zip” attached in challenge details.
- This should be a serious/useful designed application
- We are looking for concepts and ideas!
User Flow
1. Learn about a future problem
- A person is monitoring the current train network and received a notification that a delay happening right now has created a predicted problem 8 hours from now.
- A specific train station will now be understaffed to handle the number of trains at that station.
- The person needs to review this notification's details, jump to the time and place within the geographic view, review recommendations from the software on how to fix it (perhaps with a simulation and/or weighing one or more recommended options), and accept or modify a recommendation to see the predicted problem go away.
2. Monitor team's activity
- A person needs to see where (on the map) and when (in the future) other people are making changes.
- For example, Person 1 sees Person 2 is working in a specific geographic region and they are making changes to trains operating 5 hours in the future within that region.
3. Collaborate with remote workers
- A person needs to contact another person in another office.
- They will use the application to contact them via their profile, use video conferencing within the touchscreen, and possibly share their screen to show data and visualizations while they discuss a problem.
4. Simulate changes and share the simulation
- A person needs to run a simulation, to create a recommendation, then save that simulation to share with another person and ask a question.
- The other person receives this recommendation as a task to review and approve.
Possible Features
We are looking for these features, but they may be panels, tooltips, or other interactions.
01) Dashboard
- Provides Geographic monitoring of current track health, train movement, and network statistics compared to expected averages. For example, highlight trains or areas moving more slowly than usual.
- Ability to Zooming and panning across regions.
- Ability to Scrubbing in time, to view future states.
02) Forecast
- A means of highlighting specific places and times that may need human attention.
- For example, representing within the "now" geography that an important future event will happen within a location currently being viewed.
03) Notifications
- Notifications of varying priority levels, letting humans know where and when (in the future) they need to assist in or replace automated decisions. (See below for more detail on the types of events that may exist in notifications.)
04) Team Management
- Integrated team management, tasking, and communication tools.
- Avatars/Profiles of humans working in specific "control tower" locations around the country. These profiles can be used to assign tasks or to contact.
- Task management. A drag and drop interface (for example) could allow notifications to be seen by one human and assigned to another who then sees it appear as a medium or high priority task.
- Video conferencing and screen-sharing. Profiles may be used to initiate direct contact with one or more humans in other "control tower" offices or out in the field, to share data visualizations and collaborate on decisions.
05) Sharing
- A means of expanding a specific view onto another device like an oversized wall display. In this case, the application may be used on a touch table, for example, and then user may "toss" the view onto the wall to have a conversation with other people in the room.
06) Team Location
- A means of seeing where (and when in the future) specific team members are working. For example, if a person in another “control tower” location is currently working on a specific region to resolve issues predicted to happen five days from now, it may be helpful to see which people are working on what.
07) Bookmarking
- A means of bookmarking or sharing specific views for later use, attaching to tasks, or passing to other people.
08) Additional Features/Screens
- Feel free to create new features/screens for any other functionality that you think important for this apps.
09) Marvel Prototype
- As part of this challenge, you must upload your files to MarvelApp
- We want to use Marvel App to provide direct and fast feedback!
- No additional functionality is required! Just make sure your screen(s) are in the correct viewing order (number them 00, 01, 02, 03, etc.)
- If you do not have access to the Topcoder Marvel App Account please contact adroc@topcoder.com or fajar.mln@gmail.com
- You MUST include your Topcoder Marvel App URL (share view, not project view) within your Notes file
Target Audience
- Train Traffic Control Employees (strategic and analytical person)
Judging Criteria
Your submission will be judged on the following criteria:
- Overall idea and execution of concepts
- How well does your design align with the objectives of the challenge
- Execution and thoughtfulness put into the solving the problem
- Overall design and user experience
- Cleanliness of screen design and user flow
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 for your submission files.
Source Files
All original source files of the submitted design. Files should be created in Adobe Photoshop and saved as a layered PSD file, or Adobe Illustrator as a layered AI file or Sketch! Sketch is a preferred format for the GE Transportation Design Team.
Final Fixes
As part of the final fixes phase, you may be asked to modify your graphics (sizes or colors), modify overall colors and merge multiple concepts together. We may ask you to update your design or graphics based on checkpoint feedback.
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.