Official site: GUI Championships 2008

Details:

The 2008 GUI Championships will cover Stardock's WindowBlinds and IconPackage as well as Dream Animated Wallpapers. The contest will begin on October 14th, 2008. Starting on that date, submissions will be accepted via the competition website.

There will be three events per category; Most Usable, Most Original, Best Overall.

The contest begins on October 14th, 2008, and submissions will be accepted throughout all categories until 11:59pm EST Sunday December 14th, 2008. See the contest schedule below for individual event cut-off dates and announcements.



Schedule:

Event                 Cut-Off Date     Judging            User Voting     Winner Announced
WB Most Usable        12/8/2008      12/9/2008      12/12 - 12/14      12/17/2008
WB Most Original       12/8/2008      12/9/2008      12/12 - 12/14      12/19/2008
WB Best Overall        12/14/2008      12/15/2008      12/18 - 12/20      12/21/2008

IP Most Usable          12/1/2008      12/2/2008      12/5 - 12/7      12/10/2008
IP Most Original         12/1/2008      12/2/2008      12/5 - 12/7      12/12/2008
IP Best Overall          12/14/2008      12/15/2008      12/18 - 12/20      12/21/2008

Dream Most Usable     11/17/2008      11/18/2008      11/21 - 11/23      12/3/2008
Dream Most Original    11/17/2008      11/18/2008      11/21 - 11/23      12/5/2008
Dream Best Overall     12/14/2008      12/15/2008      12/18 - 12/20      12/21/2008

Overall Winner (Individual)   TBD
Overall Winner (Team)   TBD



Prizes:

    * Wacom Cintiq 12WX
    * Sapphire Radeon HD4850 Video Card
    * Corel PainterX
    * CorelDRAW X4
    * TechSmith SnagIt
    * TechSmith Camtasia Studio
    * Stardock's Object Desktop 2008
    * DeviantArt Subscription
    * WinCustomize Subscription



Rules:

   1.  Eligibility
      The 2008 GUI Championships is open to users from all around the globe.  There are three primary requirements to be eligible to participate in the competition:
          * You must be a legal adult in your country of residence (i.e. 18+ in the United States)
          * You must have an account on GUIChamps.com (or a general Stardock.net account) in good-standing
          * You are not a full-time employee of any of the following companies:
                o Stardock
                o AMD
                o Corel
                o Wacom
                o DeviantArt
   2. Registration
      To submit an entry to the competition, you must have a Stardock.net account and be logged into the site.  Signing up for an account is free and takes just minutes.  Go here to sign up.  If you already have a Stardock.net account, you can use it to login to this site.  You must have a valid and current email associated with your account as this is how you will be notified of entry acceptance/rejection, and how we will contact you regarding any prizes you may win.
   3. Entries
         1. All entries must be NEW and ORIGINAL artwork that has not been submitted to any other gallery or site prior to October 14th, 2008.
                * Entries can be submitted to other sites once they have been approved and posted publicly to the GUI Champs competition galleries.
         2. You may not obtain permission from other artists to incorporate their work into your submission.  Everything submitted, every graphical element must be entirely the creation of the person submitting.
         3. No use of stock imagery, corporate logos, or other promotional material.
                * The ONLY exception to allow the use of logos is for application-specific icons in the IconPackager event.
         4. No Pornographic or copyrighted material will be accepted!
         5. Enter as often as you want, but every entry must be different.  No variations on the same artwork please.
   4. Technical Requirements
      The following are the minimum technical requirements for submissions.  Failure to meet these basic requirements will result in immediate disqualification of the relevant contest entry.
          * All Entries
                o Must include a preview image 1024x768 or larger JPEG file.  This image must show off the entry accurately.
                o If compressed, must be .zip files.  No other archive formats are accepted.  No self-extracting executables
          * Animated Desktops
                o Must be in .Dream format (use DreamMaker)
                o Must have an accurate preview icon image
                o Minimum resolution: 1280x720
                o Multiple resolutions can be included in the same .zip file.  You must note all resolutions included in the skin description
                o Animation must loop seamlessly
                o Animation must be at least 5 seconds long
          * WindowBlinds
                o Must be created for WindowBlinds 6
                o Submissions must be in .wba format
                o Skins can either be built for Windows XP, Windows Vista, or Both.  However, you are required to note which OSes are supported in the skin name as follows:
                      + [XP] - Windows XP Only
                      + [Vista] - Windows Vista Only
                      + [XP/Vista] - Works on both Windows XP and Vista
                      + Example: My Skin of Awesomeness [XP]
          * IconPackager
                o Must be created for IconPackager 4
                o Submissions must be in .ip format
                o Submissions must contain a minimum of 55 icons
                o Icons must be 256x256 to allow for scaling on Windows XP and Vista
   5. Moderation
      All contest entries are reviewed upon submission by the event organizers.  Prior to being posted to the competition gallery and formally entered for judging, they are reviewed for technical completeness, compliance with all contest rules, and for basic quality.  Not all entries are guaranteed to be accepted into the competition.  If, upon review, a submission is found to not meet either the technical or quality requirements for entry it will be declined and a note will be sent to the author explaining why their entry was not accepted.  At this point, the author can revise their work to meet the requirements and resubmit.

      Moderation of an entry can take 1-2 business days.  Please be patient while we review your work.
   6. Teams
      Skinners may choose to participate in the competition as part of a team.  All contest rules apply to teams as well as individuals.  Teams are eligible for additional prizes (See the Prizes page).  Prizes in team categories are awarded to the designated team leader to be distributed to the rest of the team as they see fit.  Team prizes are separate and could be awarded in addition to individual prizes.
   7. Rights & Ownership
      The author of an entry agrees to grant Stardock a license to use and redistribute their skins and include their skins on CDs and other materials.  Ownership of the skin remains with the skin author.
   8. Prizes
          * Prizes are awarded to individuals and teams per the prize list.
          * Winners will be notified by email within 4 weeks of the end of the competition and the posting of the final winners on the competition website.
          * Winners may be required to sign an affidavit of eligibility and a publicity/liability release
          * Winners have 14 business days to respond with shipping details and any signed documentation.  Failure to reply within 14 days will result in forfeiture of prizes.  Forfeited prizes will be awarded to an alternative winner at the discretion of the competition organizers.
          * By accepting the prize, winner agrees to the use of his/her name, photo and/or likeness in any promotion/advertising activities related to this contest without further compensation, except where prohibited.
          * By accepting a prize, winner agrees to release the contest sponsors and its agencies from any and all liability for injuries and/or damages of any kind sustained in connection with the prize.
   9. Judging
      Judging & the selection of contest winners will be handled in two stages.
         1. Critical Judging
            All entries will be reviewed by a panel of three Stardock judges and assigned a score in each event they are eligible for.  At the end of the judge voting period, the top 10 ranked skins will be designated finalists and move on to the user voting round.

            The Judging Panel:
                * Brad Wardell
                  CEO and founder of Stardock, the world's leader in desktop customization software and a major player in the world of digital distribution and PC strategy games.  Brad has helped nurture the Windows customization community from its early days of a few hobbyists tinkering with their OS UI, to today where customized PCs are being carried by most major OEMs.
                * Angela Marshall
                  Director, Stardock Design.  Angela has years of experience working with some of the top skinners from around the globe.  As a long-time member of the skinning community, Angela has spent time as a WinCustomize moderator, as an art director for Stardock Design's efforts with licensed property such as NCAA, NHL, NBA and more.
                * Michael Crassweller
                  Manager, WinCustomize.com.  For two years, Michael has managed the day-to-day operations of WinCustomize.com, the world's largest Windows Customization community.  From skin moderation, to user support, content creation and business management, Michael has covered it all.  He is also the primary organizer of the 2008 GUI Champs (and ran the 2006 event as well).
         2. User Voting
            Users will vote on the 10 finalists as selected by the judges in each event.  Users will have three votes to cast in each event.  Users can cast their votes in any combination they choose; 1 vote per skin, 3 votes for 1 skin etc.  Users must be registered and logged onto the competition website in order to vote.
         3. The top three skins in each event will be awarded medals, each with an associated point value to determine the top overall skinners and teams of the entire competition.  In the event of a tie, the winner will be determined by the competition organizers.
               1. Gold Medal (1st Place) = 5 Points
               2. Silver Medal (2nd Place) = 3 Points
               3. Bronze Medal (3rd Place) = 2 Points
  10. Notification & Late Entries
      We are not responsible for lost or late entries.  If winning contestants do not respond to email notifications within 14 business days, the prize will be awarded to an alternative winner chosen by the competition organizers.
  11. Rules Modifications
      Stardock reserves the right to modify these rules at its discretion.
  12. Cancellation of Events
      An event must have at least 10 entries to be considered viable.  Non-viable events will be null and void.

Tags - 2008 , gui , champs , 冠军赛

根据官方的通告，2008年度的国际GUI大奖赛将会在美国时间13号的晚些时候正式开始。对于我们中国人来说基本上2008年10月14号上午，也就是礼拜二早上基本上就可以开始注册、组队、上传作品作品了。

而根据官方的通告，有一下一些更新：

1. 似乎奖金总额升到了15000美金
2. 作品评选过程：（A：截至日期之后由评委团在每个分类挑选比较好的前10名作品，比如，最具易用性主题选前十个，最具创意图标选前十个等，以此类推  B：在这些候选作品中由用户投票 C：每个用户在每个分类比赛中可以投三票，三票可以投给一个皮肤，也可以投给不同人 D：最后根据投票数多少来决定奖项归属）
3. 关于评委团：评委团由3个Stardock公司的员工组成：
      Brad Wardell (Frogboy)：Stardoc公司的CEO
      Angela Marshall (KarmaGirl)：Stardoc公司负责运营的VP
      Mike Crassweller (Zoomba)： WinCustomize的管理员

2008年GUI大奖赛官方网址：http://www.guichamps.com/

祝大家好运！
Tags - 2008 , gui , champs , 冠军赛

带触摸屏的手机和各种电子产品虽然看得已经审美疲劳了，不过听到三星i908E广告的时候还是耳边一亮，很喜欢里面的这首广告曲Built to last，我很喜欢的风格，呵呵。

"Mêlée - Built To Last"

I've looked for love in stranger places,
but never found someone like you.
Someone whose smile makes me feel I've been holding back,
and now there's nothing I can't do.

'Cause this is real, and this is good.
It warms the inside just like it should,
but most of all it's built to last.

All of our friends saw from the start.
So why didn't we believe it too?
Whoa yeah, now look where we are.
You're in my heart now.
And there's no escaping it for you.

'Cause this is real, and this is good.
It warms the inside just like it should,
but most of all it's built to last.

Walking on the hills that night with those fireworks and candlelight
You and I were made to get love right

'Cause this is real, and this is good.
It warms the inside just like it should,
but most of all it's built to last.

'Cause you are the sun in my universe,
considered the best when we've felt the worst
and most of all it's built to last.

Tags - 音乐 , 广告 , 广告曲 , 三星 , 手机

This is actually not some tutorials but just the process of how I make an icon after the skecth. I guess I'll never handle icons so pixel-perfect like Iconka does, but I still think record a video from start is so interesting!

Below is a 5 min screencast and the actual time to make this icon after sketch was about 25 minutes.

Tags - icon , design , video , screencase

这里是2006年国际冠军赛的图标组作品摘选，完整图标作品列表参见官方网址：
http://www.guichamps.com/skins2006.asp?category=IconPackager

再上一届即04年（那时还叫GUI奥林匹克）的作品选摘请参见这里：
http://www.jjying.cn/blog2/2004-gui-olympic-icons/

点击名字查看详情，点击缩略图放大

XCONS
作者：Artec

Blue whales
作者：nicohoLU




sugar lumps
作者：SkyUI



Cryo64 Corinthia Lite   （最具原创性图标包第三名）
作者：D. Arnaez



The new ironwork
作者：bingben57




yidongxi
作者：yidongxi



Simple Machines
作者：SkyUI




Butterfly-iconpack
作者：xinmaker



Aluminium Icon （最具实用性图标包第四名）
作者：RickyXu



The Preface
作者：dar0ckx



Faraway dream   （全场最佳图标包第二名、最具实用性图标包第二名）
作者：Maxdison



ROUNDer   （全场最佳图标包第四名）
作者：AndrawDay



Bruce Lee
作者：mimiqiao



Mr. noMustache
作者：thinkcear



Between Reality And Fantasy
作者：nicolasyu



Slicer   （最具实用性图标包第一名）
作者：2S-Space



SusieSunnyBaz   （最具原创性图标包第四名）
作者：darkli



Local Flavor   （最具原创性图标包第二名）
作者：Coco Kou



Champicons
作者：Themerboy



Brilliance
作者：Brisy



Dark Shine
作者：SUNX



Impulse
作者：Z71



The Mayan civilization   （最具原创性图标包第一名）
作者：精灵骑士



OPP ICONS DESIGN
作者：way83



FROIS-01   （全场最佳图标包第三名）
作者：Dexter



Aqualix   （全场最佳图标包第一名、最具实用性图标包第三名）
作者：Dexter



OHMY! Uniq
作者：D. Arnaez

Tags - 2006 , gui , champs , 冠军赛 , 图标 , 图标包 , iconpackager

摘选了一些06年国际冠军赛的WindowBlinds主题作品供大家参考，完整作品列表参见官方网址：
http://www.guichamps.com/skins2006.asp?category=WindowBlinds

再上一届即04年（那时还叫GUI奥林匹克）的作品选摘请参见这里：
http://www.jjying.cn/blog2/2004-gui-olympic/

点击主题名字查看详情，点击缩略图查看大图

System Force
作者：homeryulo

Parsec
作者：MikeB314



G-Pod V2 :: RC1.2  （最具原创性主题第一名）
作者：Gabriel



Evolution
作者：Albin



FROIS-01
作者：Dexter



A Dreamy World  （最具实用性性主题第二名）
作者：2S-Space.Studio



Acrylic  （最具实用性主题第三名、全场最佳主题第二名）
作者：danillooc



Maya
作者：精灵骑士



Aluminium Skin  （最具实用性主题第一名）
作者：Ricky.Xu



VECTRA RC2（全场最佳主题第三名）
作者：vStyler



Aqualix
作者：Dexter



GWARmour
作者：PixelPirate



H.O.W.
作者：AaronLau



XDynasty
作者：Hiboo



Azenis 2  （全场最佳主题第一名）
作者：JJ.Ying



Edisso  （最具原创性主题第二名）
作者：JJ.Ying



Impulse
作者：Z71



Ares
作者：MikeB314



NightShift
作者：Jonep



Plasmatron A.I. wb
作者：I.R. Brainiac



V!VA
作者：JJ.Ying



Amber
作者：bearbearhj



Jitter
作者：essorant



Crysqual
作者：lypnjtu



Fett
作者：MikeB314



Pacifica
作者：navigatsio



Ascent
作者：Josephs  



DYNYX
作者：Z71



NoiX
作者：Meowy the PurrBall  

Tags - 2006 , gui , champs , 冠军赛 , windowblinds , 主题

虽然很山寨，但是老实说我看了一点点视频发觉片子还是可以的，哈哈。雷得我笑死了～给我的感觉就是缩小版奥特曼+武侠+星球大战。如果我现在还是小学生我肯定会看的，呵呵。

Tags - 山寨 , 奥特曼 , 金甲战士

D4设计论坛

D4是由阿里巴巴集团各子公司UED部门联合发起的视觉/交互设计论坛。D4面向所有交互、视觉设计师和对设计感兴趣的人，旨在促进行业内设计师们之间的学习和交流，提高水平、加深合作。
时间：2008年10月18日(周六) 下午13：45开始
地点：杭州市文二路391号西湖国际科技大厦
活动网站：http://www.d4forum.org
报名及查看更多内容，请前往D4设计论坛官方网站






U客会.杭州交流会

U客会，是一个线下交流会。以“应用”为导向，交流在应用中的产品设计问题。
开始时间: 10月11日 周六 14:00
地点: 杭州，文二路285号枫华府第  4幢1单元1101
讨论主题: 音乐社区的产品设计
分享人: 虾米网 稻草
报名及查看更多内容，请前往UCDCN
BTW：关注Web2.0产品设计的朋友可以来这里沟通讨论。


Tags - 10月 , 设计 , 交流会 , 杭州 , d4