2020 Topcoder Open Logo Design Challenge

Welcome to the “2020 Topcoder Open Logo Design Challenge”. The prestigious Topcoder Open brings together the best of the best from countries all over the world, with various backgrounds, cultures, and skill sets. 

The goal of this challenge is to design a never before seen logo for the next Topcoder Open, Topcoder's premier tournament for 2020.

If you are new to Topcoder, you might need to check what is Topcoder Open. Feel free to ask questions in the Forum and we will be glad to assist you. 

Special Prize for Newbie: 

• If a newbie wins a checkpoint, they get double the prize of the milestone prize.
• If a newbie wins a final round placement (1st, 2nd, or 3rd), they get an additional $100.

Round 1

For Round 1 (or checkpoint round), you need to submit your initial logo design for some feedback.

Note: If you have multiple design concepts, please make individual submissions.

Round 2

For your final submission, you need to submit your improved logo design based on the checkpoint feedback.

Note: If you have multiple design concepts, please make individual submissions.

Background Overview of the Challenge

The 2020 Topcoder Open (TCO20) logo is a very important part of the event. Our premier tournament next year must showcase an amazing logo from our Design community. 

The prestigious Topcoder Open brings together the best of the best from countries all over the world, with various backgrounds, cultures, and skill sets.

The goal of this competition is to create a new and never been used eye-catching logo that recognizes this event as one of the industry's premier places to showcase high-tech talent from the global community.

This logo must be unique for a Topcoder tournament, and not something you can find at any everyday business or event. The TCO20 logo will be used on all the event promotional material, the t-shirt, website, etc. 

The logo needs to draw a distinct connection between the Topcoder brand/color scheme.

Design Considerations
Stay away from ideas that have been used in past tournaments, take a look at our TCO logos throughout the years and also learn what our TCO17 logo symbolizes.

Too often we have had globes, computers, circles, and computer mice depicted in logo designs. We want to stay away from anything that has been done in the past and expect something fresh and new - something bold that symbolizes the spirit of worldwide competition.

Concept, composition, and simplicity will be taken into serious consideration in the selection process (see judging criteria below). Most great logos share some characteristics; they are clean, simple and easy to remember. The winning logo will be used in many different areas, on the event website, the printed program, apparel, and large format event graphics.

Requirements
You need to design a logo with the following details:

• We are looking for something fresh and new but at the same time, something that conveys competition, innovation, and the concept of a tournament. We want something that speaks TCO and not just a random design that could relate to any business.
• The logo may say only ONE of these phrases NOT both: TCO20 or 2020 Topcoder Open.
• Make sure the logo looks completely different from the previous year's logo (see links above).
• Do not use any track names, event place, or icons, but something more overall representative.  
• Stay away from gradients, as they will not be able to be easily reproduced across all media.
• The logo must be recognizable when printed on a Black & White background.
• Designs must be created as VECTOR artwork so they can be resized without a loss of quality. Make sure your logo quality is not diminished when scaled up or down.
• Provide an outlined version of your logo.
• The logo should encapsulate the message of the logo design within three seconds of the first glimpse. Anyone who sees your logo for the first time should retain that image in their memory.
• We need you to create the logo in All Color and in Black & White versions. 
• Optionally, provide a version of your logo in a stacked and horizontal position.
• Feel free to explain how these criteria are met, or what your idea behind the design process is as a text file/notes in your submission.

FONTS

• Fonts are open to the designer, just be aware of font policy.
• Check here for some inspiration

COLORS

• Use the primary colors of the Topcoder brand colors
• Secondary colors may be used to support or complement your main color of choice.

DESIGN INSPIRATIONS
Explore some logo design inspiration websites, look for simple images or typography that convey a sense of competition. A good logo should be; simple, distinctive, relevant, memorable, timeless, and versatile - and most importantly your own design. Use these references as inspirations only.

• https://www.logolounge.com/trend-reports 
• https://graphicmama.com/blog/logo-design-trends-2019/

Also, check http://justcreative.com/?s=logo for some good readings.

JUDGING CRITERIA
Your submission will be judged on the following criteria:

• Relevance:  How does your logo "fit" within the tournament? As in, the tournament of as a whole: the competitions, the competitors, the prestige, the excitement, etc. This is very important.
• Quality: Does your logo look fresh, professional and clean? Is the composition/layout well done? Have you used typography in a meaningful way?
• Concept: Does your logo present a new and interesting concept? Is it simple, yet memorable?

TARGET AUDIENCE

• Topcoder admins
• Topcoder members
• Sponsors

MARVEL APP
We are NOT going to use MarvelApp for this challenge. 

SUBMISSION & SOURCE FILES
For submission you have to upload a zip file that contains the following 4 files:
 

• Preview Image
  Create a preview image as one (1) 1024px by 1024px JPG or PNG file in RGB color mode at 72dpi and place a screenshot of your submission within it.
   
• Submission File
  • Export a JPG/PNG image file(s) of your submission
  • Place these files into a "Submission.zip" file.
     
• Source Files
  All source files of all graphics created in vector format in either Adobe Illustrator or any similar software should be saved as editable files. Place all of your source files into a "Source.zip" file.
  
  Your source files must meet these requirements:
  1) The AI/EPS logo file with text intact (not outlined).
  2) The AI/EPS logo file with text in an outlined format.
   
• declarations.txt – All your declarations and notes
  This file must contain your notes if any, fonts, and stock art declarations.

FINAL FIXES
If your submission wins, you may be asked to modify your design, graphics (sizes or colors) or modify overall colors.