Event: "first contact" web design for computer party

Polar Party 19: first contact

Polar Party is a Norwegian non-profit computer party for about 700 geeks each year. We have a focus on both gaming, creativity (graphics, music, etc) and simply fun (arcade, concerts, etc).

The event is organized by Polar Interesseorganisasjon, a non-profit youth organization in Norway.

We would like to put across pure geekiness and of course the scifi theme. In order to understand us, you should probably take a peek at our other designs:
* Polar Party 12 "where pigs fly" with a pig as a mascot.. but of course, our logo (the polar planet) in the immediate background http://polarparty.no/pp12/images/po…farger.pdf
* Polar Party 13 "pacman gone psycho", a pac man with a chainsaw and bloody font http://polarparty.no/pp13/
* Polar Party 14 "Polar Ninjas", with the Polar planet logo transformed to a japanese character http://polarparty.no/pp14/
* Polar Party 17 "the werewolves are coming" with the Polar planet as a moon with a werewolf silhouette http://polarparty.no/pp17/images/pp17plakat.png
* Polar Party 18 "thieves!" with the Polar planet as a spotlight http://polarparty.no/pp18/ (the design was a result of a 99designs contest: http://99designs.com/contests/19324)

We are very aware of the need to put across the logo, the playful theme and geekiness of the event. We are however also in increasing degree promoting the event for non-geeks.

PS: We DO have the logo already, look at the zip files attached.
PS2: You can, if you feel for it, make changes to the logo - it is not set in stone :-). The logo is made as a "mission patch" for space exploration.

We are geeks. Most of our participants are geeks. The target audience is mostly geeks but also parents and the press.

We have a well-known brand, and the aim is to build it even more. Our target audience is between 15 and 23, many gamers but some non-gamers. Geek is quite describing :-).

Some examples of the people that will visit the site:
* Male gamer from the local area, 15-19 years of age, going to the event as a casual gamer but also interested in other events.
* Male "pro" gamer traveling some distance, usually 19-24 years of age, going to the event in the pursuit of glory and prizes.
* Female or male casual gamer/chatter/newfound geek, 15-18 years of age, going to the event just to have a good time and meet some friends.
* Hardcore geeks, usually 18-26 years of age, going to the event for the social part.
* The press
* Parents of youths, going to the site because their kids are going to the event or because they've heard about it and checking out if this is something for their kids

Pictures from last year's event:
http://bilder.polarparty.no/main.ph…emId=49410
http://bilder.polarparty.no/main.ph…emId=49412
http://bilder.polarparty.no/main.ph…emId=49414
http://bilder.polarparty.no/main.ph…emId=48898

BTW, former logos: http://polarparty.no/logos/ (in addition to links given earlier)

The design must be focused on continuing the theme in the design and should be playful. We are NOT a commercial or professional organization, and the site can not be boring.

We want the website to be informational with clear links to different sections (with the possibility of submenu), a spot for latest headlines, etc.

We want the design to consist of:
* A splash screen
* A main page with newsstories (with the possibility of newsitems to have illustrational images.. one main story on top with other stories in two columns beneath, one column all the way etc is up to you
* A subpage (perhaps two/three different types depending if you're on a generic infopage, event page or gaming page?)
* Should contain newslisting with headlines
* Design elements available in vector (SVG/AI/EPS/PDF)
* Fonts should be available for use (we've used SF TransRobotics in the logo)
* Icons in tune with the design would be a great plus
* A quick-link to purchase tickets ("KJØP BILLETTER") on http://polarparty.no/pp18/

On the site itself we usually have a set of standard "top menu" items: Home/first page, Informasjon, Event, Compo (the two could be combined), Crew&Admins/organizers, Contact, Rules, Technical, Forum, etc. Usually we have 6-8 top-level menu items.

Ready-made HTML and CSS is a plus, but NOT required. It can be influential on the final choice of design if there is "a tie".