March 14, 2016 Topcoder Members of the Month – March 2016
Design Rookie: johan_92
Joined at the end of December and has had 4 1st place wins!
Design: universo Won $4500 in |
Development: sdgun Nine wins for $2076. |
Algorithm: BSBandme Gained 285 ratings points |
Learn more about some of our winners below, and be sure to congratulate all of the winners in this forum thread.
universo: March’s Design Member of the Month
How did you first get started with Topcoder Studio? Do you remember your first project?
The first time I knew about Topcoder Design Studio is from my brother. By joining and become a Topcoder member, he told me that it would become a greatest opportunities for me to improve my UI/UX design skill and also earning a lot of money by cash prize. I can’t remember exactly what is my first project in Topcoder, but I just remember when I got my first winning placement in IBM challenge — 1st place in IBM Catalyst web design challenge. It motivate me a lot until now!
What challenges have you enjoyed working on lately, and why?
I totally enjoy every challenge in Topcoder, especially Website & Widget/mobile screen. It’s become my pleasure to trying something different in every challange and every design category. Keep trying and learning from that; don’t judge yourself with the result, then you can improve your design skill.
What design project types do you consider yourself to be an expert with? (web design, wireframes, UX, etc) and why do you like those?
Lol, I’m not sure that I’m an expert in a specific project type. I’m just a man who always trying to do my best in every challange & every project category that I’ve taken. Maybe some people would say that web design is one of my expert, because I got more winner placement in that challenge than the other project type.
Tell us about your hometown or country. What’s the one thing a visitor should see if they traveled there?
In Topcoder I represent Venezuela as my nationality because I have a Venezuelan descent from one of my family member. That’s the short story about me jajajaja, but currently I’m staying & living in Indonesia. Most people think that Indonesia is an Islamic country but in fact is not. Indonesia is home to the biggest Muslim population in the world. Here, all religions co-exist in harmony.
sdgun: March’s Developer of the Month
How did you first get started with Topcoder? What was your “beginner” experience like?
I’m more than happy to remember my first challenge with Topcoder because I’m so glad to be a part of this community. I started with a Test Scenario challenge – “Styx – Spec Builder and Admin Tool” in August 2012. It was really exciting and I was enticed by the challenges the community offers. I was also engaged in Bug Hunts, Content Creation, UI Prototypes, Wireframes and Bug Race (Currently First 2 Finish) competitions at the same time.
What interests you about Bug Hunt challenges?
Unlike any other challenge, the competition they offer is enormous. Your ability to recognize defects quickly and your dedication and uninterrupted attention to the challenge are must to have in order to win Bug Hunt challenges. Also you can get more experience in different languages/platforms when setting the applications locally.
What languages/platforms do you consider yourself to be really good at and why do you like those?
I am familiar with .NET (C#), JavaScript, CSS, HTML. And also the platforms like Windows, Mac, Linux, Android and iOS.
Which industry (Financial, IT, Healthcare, Entertainment, etc.) do you have the most experience developing for both within Topcoder challenges and outside Topcoder?
Outside Topcoder I frequently work with Financial and IT industries. Within Topcoder I get the opportunity to be exposed into a vast range of industries such as IT, Healthcare, Entertainment and many more through the bug hunt challenges.
Tell us about your hometown or country. What’s the one thing a visitor should see if they traveled there?
My country, Sri Lanka is a tiny island nation south of India in the Indian Ocean and is a tropical paradise. It is a land of rain forest, diverse wildlife and endless beaches. This island is a dream destination for tourists with endless amount of activities and places to explore. I’ve specially noticed the tourists attracted by the beauty of Hill country, ancient city Anuradhapura and the beautiful Arugam Bay and Nilaveli beaches.
johan_92: March’s Design Rookie Member of the Month
How did you first get started with Topcoder? What was your “beginner” experience like?
It’s really fun, doing something that you really loved and you are paid from it. My “beginner” experience couldn’t get any better! I won several challenges during my first experience!
You became a member in December and you’ve already won several challenges! Do you have any tips to share with other new members?
Yeah, keep learning and trying to do the best. Read the brief very careful and don’t be shy to ask in forums. 🙂
What challenges have you been interested in, and why?
I like LUX challenges because the brief is challenging and it has a very fast timeline, but actually I like every challenges that published at Topcoder website.
What design project types do you consider yourself to be an expert with? (web design, wireframes, UX, etc) and why do you like those?
In design projects, I think I’m good at web design and UI/UX because I love them and I can enhanced my skill by doing the challenges.
Which industry (Financial, IT, Healthcare, Entertainment, etc.) do you have the most experience developing for both within Topcoder challenges and outside Topcoder?
I interned at Facebook last summer- that I guess is an exhaustive list of all development experience I have. Online I mostly participate in algorithm challenges- development just doesn’t excite me as much.
Tell us about your hometown or country. What’s the one thing a visitor should see if they traveled there?
Well, everyone say Indonesia has a lot things to see. Well, that’s so true! You can do a lot of things in Indonesia!
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