GUIC 2008 – Lets Talk Details

Tuesday, July 8, 2008 by Zoomba | Discussion: OS Customization

The 2008 GUI Championships, the latest iteration of the world’s largest GUI customization competition, is quickly approaching.  This fall skinners from all over the globe will compete in one of three main events for their shot at hardware, software and cash prizes totaling near $10,000!

For the last few months we’ve been letting out little teasers here and there about what we’re going to be doing with this year’s event.  Today, I’m happy to reveal some of the contest details to everyone, so skinners can begin to prepare their masterpieces early.  In 2006, there were complaints that there wasn’t enough warning on the contest, so this year we’re giving you all months to prepare!

Events

In 2006, there were three main categories; WindowBlinds skins, Icon Packages, and Wallpapers.  This year, we have dropped the Wallpaper event and will instead be replaced by Animated Wallpapers (Dreams).  Here is the official event list for the 2008 GUIC:

  1. WindowBlinds Skins
    1. Most Original
    2. Most Usable
    3. Best Overall
  2. IconPackager Sets
    1. Most Original
    2. Most Usable
    3. Best Overall
  3. Animated Wallpapers (.Dreams)
    1. Most Original
    2. Most Usable
    3. Best Overall

We’re still debating a “User’s Choice” event, but haven’t decided how we’d handle it yet.  But the above covers the major categories and what the base events are.  Should be more than enough to get people started.

Timeline

The 2008 GUI Champs will officially kick off on October 12th.  Starting on that date, we will launch the new contest site and begin accepting submissions. The contest will run up to the end of December.  This gives everyone a 3 month lead before we even start accepting skins, to just over 5 months total before the competition closes.

A specific event schedule will be posted closer to the start of the competition.

Rules

The rules from 2006 are undergoing review and will likely see significant changes.  However, there are a few rules that will remain the same and that you should know before the contest starts:

  1. All submitted work must be 100% original
    You must be the sole author of the art used in the submission.  No working with other skinners, no reusing elements from other skins (either your own, or others) or art.
  2. Work submitted to the 2008 GUIC must be new.
    The GUIC must be the first place you submit a skin to.  Skins that are posted on other sites prior to being submitted to the GUIC will be disqualified.  Note that this does not mean you can’t post some preview shots of your work in progress, just that you may not make available for download a working skin (in any stage of development)
  3. Entries must not use logos, characters, or other imagery that is copyrighted/trademarked
    No Windows logos, no Apple logos.  No modifications or interpretations of cartoon characters, mascots, movies, games, television shows etc.  We expect all designs and work to be completely original.  So no making your ideal Windows Vista skin, or a Dragon Ball Z icon set.

Prizes

We’re still in talks with potential sponsors, but we’ve lined up at least one hardware vendor and have several software makers interested in being a part of the event.  We are currently working toward the goal of having at least $10,000 in cash and prizes up for grabs. 

Once the sponsors are finalized, expect a big post listing them all out, and what the prizes will be.  I’m really excited so far based on the initial response I received from the companies I’ve contacted.

(Note: If your company would like to be a sponsor for the 2008 GUI Champs, please email me at mikec AT stardock DOT com).


Hopefully now you have a much better idea of what we have planned for this year’s event.  A lot of details are still to be worked out, and as we have major news (i.e. sponsors, the new site) you better believe I’ll be posting about it.

If you have any questions about the 2008 GUIC, post them below and I’ll answer what I can.

Get those skins started!

First Previous Page 6 of 8 Next Last
vStyler
Reply #101 Sunday, July 20, 2008 1:46 PM
Heres a question.. hopefully I can get a direct answer on..

If a skin is made purely for XP..no Vista substyle, will it lose any merit based on the fact it is only for one OS.. Will a dual OS skin automatically rate higher ?

I ask because... in making a very creative XP skin, there is a good chance it is not going to xfer over to Vista very well.

Some clarification on this would be appreciated
Island Dog
Reply #102 Monday, July 21, 2008 10:31 AM
It will most likely be a consideration for Best Overall, because that added functionality might be considered.  However, for Original or Useful it will not matter. 

Zoomba
Reply #103 Tuesday, July 22, 2008 10:20 AM

The basic concept behind the "Best Overall" events is to look for the skin that is truely the best overall (shocking, I know).  This includes design, quality of art, and technical prowess.  A skin that is awesome looking, well designed and uses as many technical features as possible will win out over one that just meets two of the three areas.

We want to reward technical accomplishment as well as artistic accomplishment in these events.

But like ID says, it won't factor into the Original & Usable events.

Just remember to clearly indicate which OS your skin is designed for.

vStyler
Reply #104 Tuesday, July 22, 2008 11:32 AM
So, to be clear.. in the Best Overall category, a skin that isn't dual OS.. but in all other areas may be equal to a competing skin that is dual OS, would lose out to it.

Does that about sum it up?
Dreamxis
Reply #105 Tuesday, July 22, 2008 3:02 PM
The basic concept behind the "Best Overall" events is to look for the skin that is truely the best overall (shocking, I know). This includes design, quality of art, and technical prowess. A skin that is awesome looking, well designed and uses as many technical features as possible will win out over one that just meets two of the three areas. We want to reward technical accomplishment as well as artistic accomplishment in these events. But like ID says, it won't factor into the Original & Usable events. Just remember to clearly indicate which OS your skin is designed for.
so.. the rule also be appled to each category of the GUIC08? (in fact that i want to know whether a iconpack must contain the 256px size for Vista)
Zoomba
Reply #106 Tuesday, July 22, 2008 9:45 PM

We will be requiring 256x256 sized icons as a base requirement for Icon packs.  So in that category, XP vs Vista won't matter.

And to vStyler, if there are two skins that are dead-even in terms of art and design, the one that handles both OSes will have an edge.  Note that since we will have a judging panel, there will probably be differences in opinion on what the best skin is in terms of art quality.  Judges will be instructed to use the XP/Vista consideration if they are caught between two skins they feel are equally excellent, to break the tie when they cast their own vote.

vStyler
Reply #107 Tuesday, July 22, 2008 9:55 PM
Fair enough.. thanks
mkorashy
Reply #108 Wednesday, July 23, 2008 1:17 AM
I'm working on somthing for GUIC 2008, Hope I can finish it.   
Schwarzephix
Reply #109 Wednesday, July 23, 2008 1:34 AM
can you explain 'technical features' in more detail please Zoomba?
NightTrainthedark
Reply #110 Wednesday, July 23, 2008 5:05 AM
I just discovered a Harley Davidson theme is available through My Colors. I have already designed a HD skin and would like to know what kind of reaction Stardock would have should I enter a Harley skin in the contest.
Bebi Bulma
Reply #111 Wednesday, July 23, 2008 5:26 AM
NT, wouldn't that fall under rule #3?
Entries must not use logos, characters, or other imagery that is copyrighted/trademarked
No Windows logos, no Apple logos. No modifications or interpretations of cartoon characters, mascots, movies, games, television shows etc. We expect all designs and work to be completely original. So no making your ideal Windows Vista skin, or a Dragon Ball Z icon set.


NightTrainthedark
Reply #112 Wednesday, July 23, 2008 5:28 AM
NT, wouldn't that fall under rule #3?


Glad someone can read.   I'll go and sign up for classes today.   

vStyler
Reply #113 Wednesday, July 23, 2008 5:55 AM
  
theAVMAN
Reply #114 Wednesday, July 23, 2008 6:20 AM
I enter a Harley skin


Ouch that could be painful!!!
Dreamxis
Reply #115 Wednesday, July 23, 2008 1:46 PM
We will be requiring 256x256 sized icons as a base requirement for Icons pack. So in that category, XP vs Vista won't matter.
oh..it's a bad news to me.. i think i don't have enough time to finish the icons with 256px size, it's too hard to work out.(i've finished a icon pack with 256px size that i recognized how hard to work out it.) uh, Zoomba, would you mind to tell me whether my icons pack which contained 48px size only(forXP, Vista also, but no Large size.) can be entered the contest? and will i missed some advantages if the work can be entered. thanks.
Zoomba
Reply #116 Wednesday, July 23, 2008 2:08 PM
Dreamxis: We're going to talk over the 256x256 icon requirement, and whether or not to lower it.  However I can tell you that 48x48 icons will be too small, and we won't be lowering the limit that far.  48x48 icons are just too small. 
WeatherBound
Reply #117 Wednesday, July 23, 2008 2:22 PM
A DX entry would be nice


I agree. Lets not forget about DX.
Zoomba
Reply #118 Wednesday, July 23, 2008 2:31 PM
There will be no events for DesktopX, ObjectDock or any media players.  The 2008 GUI Champs will cover WindowBlinds, IconPackager and DeskScapes.
HAPTORK
Reply #119 Wednesday, July 23, 2008 2:31 PM
I agree. Lets not forget about DX.

as we always do.
ZubaZ
Reply #120 Wednesday, July 23, 2008 2:34 PM
I, for one, would not want to have to judge DX.
  • Do you judge the GUI?
  • The functions?
  • The quality of code?

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