[Sidepot]

I think we're ready to get moving on the Epiphany ceramic chip design contest. Phase one is the *chip track design* portion of the contest. The winner of this phase gets a customized set of 300 Epiphany chips... plus the all important bragging rights. The top 10 or so chip track designs will be incorporated into a new ceramic chip design tool which is being built by X-Files and Johnny5 as we speak, so nows your opportunity to give your design ideas immortality. Once completed, this tool will be available on both Sidepot's site and right here on ChipTalk.

To start this phase off right, I'd like to have an open forum discussion of everyones likes and dislikes in ceramic chip track design. We'll use this thread for those discussions. If you're wondering what a chip track design is, it's everything outside of the inner most concentric black circle on this mock-up below:



After a week or so of discussions on chip track design, we'll start accepting contestant submissions for this phase of the contest. Please PM submissions to both Tenpercenter and Sidepot via ChipTalk's PM system. Note that your designs can have 3 color variables within the chip track (see above for an example), plus black and white static areas. The color areas will be able to be modified within the tool at the click of a button to any color in the palette (It's a very cool tool, which we'll be unveiling pretty soon).

***************************************************

Official chip track design submission rules:

***************************************************

Artwork should be submitted using the following specifications to allow for proper conversion and use in the tool. Please note that a 'white ring' is a necessary requirement as part of the track design and should be included in your artwork submission.

Size:
- Chip diameter: 39mm (indicated with a thin black stroke/line)
- Printable area: 37.05mm (actual track design diameter - should also have a thin black outline)
- Inlay (3 options): 3/4", 1" OR 1 1/4" (19.05mm, 25.4mm OR 31.75mm)

*If the proportions of your submitted image do not match these requirements, your artwork will be modified (if possible) to conform to the proper specifications.

File:
- A jpg, gif or png image of your design at 300dpi is preferred
- For those creating their designs in vector format, please submit an eps or pdf file in addition to the raster image

* Lower resolution images will be accepted as long as the details of the design are clear.

Details:
- Your design can contain up to 3 areas of color (in addition to black & white)
- Submissions should contain distinct contrasting colored regions to identify these areas of color
- Any white or black areas on a submission will be identified as static elements and left as white/black when added to the tool
- No transparency or color gradients should be used (any gradients will be converted to solid color)
- For those submitting a vector artwork file, please convert any included type to outlines

*Please be advised that some minor changes to your design are likely to occur during conversion for use in the tool.

*******************************************


Submission Deadline = March 19th, Midnight (end of day)


Let's get started!

[Sidepot]

Also, please declare with a post in this thread if you intend to submit a design to this phase of the contest.

[jello-broom]

Originally Posted by Sidepot

To start this phase off right, I'd like to have an open forum discussion of everyones likes and dislikes in ceramic chip track design.

Okay, well I've said this numerous times before ... I think the chip face/chip track should be INDEPENDENT in design from the rolling edge ... so hopefully we'll not see any designs that try to replicate edge spots on a clay chip ... (imo) that would be dissappointing ... unless these Epiphany chips will have aligned rolling edges, but in which case, I still wouldn't like seeing "clay-like edgespots" on a ceramic chip.

[Diablo_Rojos]

Originally Posted by jello-broom

Okay, well I've said this numerous times before ... I think the chip face/chip track should be INDEPENDENT in design from the rolling edge ... so hopefully we'll not see any designs that try to replicate edge spots on a clay chip ... (imo) that would be dissappointing ... unless these Epiphany chips will have aligned rolling edges, but in which case, I still wouldn't like seeing "clay-like edgespots" on a ceramic chip.

I agree with Jello on this. Faux edgespots = lame. I would like to see some alignment, but I don't think it would make or break a design either.

[jello-broom]

Originally Posted by Diablo_Rojos

I agree with Jello on this. Faux edgespots = lame. I would like to see some alignment, but I don't think it would make or break a design either.

No faux edgespots in the chip track = No issue with rolling edge alignment.

Originally Posted by Sidepot

- Chip diameter: 39mm ...
- Printable area: 37.05mm ...

From what I understand, these aren't Chipco right? ... Can't the chip be made without a white ring?

[the3rd]

Originally Posted by jello-broom

No faux edgespots in the chip track = No issue with rolling edge alignment.


From what I understand, these aren't Chipco right? ... Can't the chip be made without a white ring?

Wouldn't the rollng edge color be the same as "color 1"? If that is the case, this may be the one time I prefer the white ring. I don't think I would like two different colors right next to each other at the edge. If the edge is the same as "color 2" then it would look better without the white ring to me.

[bmwguy525]

Originally Posted by jello-broom

Okay, well I've said this numerous times before ... I think the chip face/chip track should be INDEPENDENT in design from the rolling edge ... so hopefully we'll not see any designs that try to replicate edge spots on a clay chip ... (imo) that would be dissappointing ... unless these Epiphany chips will have aligned rolling edges, but in which case, I still wouldn't like seeing "clay-like edgespots" on a ceramic chip.

QFT. Couldn't agree more

[jello-broom]

Originally Posted by the3rd

Wouldn't the rollng edge color be the same as "color 1"? If that is the case, this may be the one time I prefer the white ring. I don't think I would like two different colors right next to each other at the edge. If the edge is the same as "color 2" then it would look better without the white ring to me.

No, not exactly (although you have a valid point/concern) ... but Stephan is only using the Archetype design to visually explain what the "chip track" is ... submitted designs DON'T have to look like the Archetypes ...

[Sidepot]

Originally Posted by jello-broom

Okay, well I've said this numerous times before ... I think the chip face/chip track should be INDEPENDENT in design from the rolling edge ... so hopefully we'll not see any designs that try to replicate edge spots on a clay chip ... (imo) that would be dissappointing ... unless these Epiphany chips will have aligned rolling edges, but in which case, I still wouldn't like seeing "clay-like edgespots" on a ceramic chip.

I agree this is solid logic. Good ceramics don't emulate clays. I'm hoping this design contest/exercise brings out some great originality in ceramic chip design thinking.

-Stephan

[Sidepot]

Originally Posted by jello-broom

From what I understand, these aren't Chipco right? ... Can't the chip be made without a white ring?

Yes, the Epiphany chips are NOT Chipco.

Nonetheless, the white ring issue is a somewhat separate matter. Chipco wisely relies on the white ring to minimize perceived wear and tear on their chips, plus from a design perspective IMHO it nicely separates the face for the rolling edge. And since the rolling edge pretty much has to have spots for identification when in racks, and spot alignment is problematic, this separation achieves many goals.

With the Epiphany chips, we have choose to follow Chipcos lead. Also, as we have a very good relationship with Chipco, this design tool that is being created will be compatible with both Epiphany and Chipco custom chips.

So, in a nutshell, the white ring is required for this contest.

-Stephan