Designcontest.net values the creative, personal and professional aspect of our members. We care for the way they interact with other members and wish to make it the best possible experience for all concerned. Because of this, we have created the following guidelines, in order to ensure fair competition and healthy communication among our members. Please read the guidelines and if you have any questions feel free to ask any of the administrators.

Remember that Only Design Team Members can enter guaranteed contests. If you wish to join the design team, please click HERE. Charity contests are open to all Members.

If you have questions concerning the Design Team, please read through these frequently asked questions to find your answers. Please read through these thoroughly before asking an Administrator your question.

1.- What's a 'Design Team'?
2.- Who is the Design Team Application Committee?
3.- How Do I Join the Design Team?
4.- How long does it take to be accepted?
5.- I wasn't accepted. Now what?
6.- You denied me? What? How could you?

1.- What's a 'Design Team'?
The Design Team is a pre-approved group of designers at designcontest.net. Only team members are able to participate in the guaranteed contests.
To learn how to become a member of the team, please see the topic entitled "How Do I Join the Design Team?" If you still have questions, please contact a Moderator or Administrator

2.- Who is the Design Team Application Committee?
The design team application committee is a group of site members/staff, who all have varied design skills, educations, and backgrounds. Each application is reviewed and voted on by at least 5 different committee members, so that the application decision is not made by one person.

3.- How Do I Join the Design Team?
Joining the design team is easy! Simply fill out the form on the "Join The Design Team" page (http://www.designcontest.net/join.php) and our design team committee will review your application. Please note that before your application will be reviewed, you must make sure that you have met the stated criteria. Any applications received that do not meet the requirements will automatically be rejected.

4.- How long does it take to be accepted?
After completing your application, it could take as long as 2 weeks before the Team Committee makes its decision. The typical wait time is approximately 1 week, although during certain holiday periods it may take a little longer. In that time, we ask that you do not create entries for contests or ask us about entering contests. When our decision is made, you will be notified. Please also be aware that you may not be accepted - so if you do create entries for contests, there is a chance that they may never be seen by the contest holder. Waiting until you've been accepted will prevent you from potentially wasting time on designs that will not be able to be entered into the contests.

5.- I wasn't accepted. Now what?
Unfortunately , that means that at least 3 out of the 5 applications committee members denied your application for 1 or more reasons. This does not necessarily mean that you're a "bad designer" - it could mean that you didn't meet all of the requirements, or that you need work in certain areas.
You are still able to enter the Non-Profit contests, and we urge that you do. When one month has passed, and your skills are more developed, please re-apply again to join the team. Be sure to update your portfolio with your latest work before applying again.

6.- You denied me? What? How could you?
While we regret denying anyone, we have established the design team for a reason. When you receive notification that your application has been denied, you will also receive specific reasons as to why the application was denied at this time. Please don't take this as harsh - but as constructive criticism - which is something that everyone needs to be able to take gracefully, and learn from in this business.
Our advice: Practice, practice, practice and practice some more. Designing is a skill that you will never conquer, as trends change and technology changes. Even the best designers can improve their skills, so don't feel like you won't get any better. You may always reapply to the design team at a future date, so work on the reasons why your application was denied, and try again!

8.- You, guys, are pretty strict about the rules, aren't you?
Yes, we are indeed.

9.- What do you mean by being a"contributing member" of the community?
While we are happy that you have registered in our community, we hope that you'll do more than that! Certainly feel free to browse around, view the great designs in our current and completed contests, introduce yourself, etc. We also hope that you'll actually participate in the community. Please remember to always be courteous and polite to all other members. Criticism is welcome - as long as it's constructive and not maliciously intended.

10.- Why don't you allow people to comment on other people's designs within a contest thread?
First of all - whether or not the comment is good or bad, it is not allowed. We are trying to keep the contest as fair as possible for everyone who is participating in it, and by commenting on another desiger's work - this makes it unfair.
If you absolutely have to say something about their work, and can't wait until the contest is over, please send the designer a private message to express your feelings. Any comments posted in an open contest thread of this nature will be deleted, and you will be given a warning.

11.- Contact with Contest Holders?
When you can not privately contact a contest holder: 1. If they have a currently active contest. 2. If you are a member of the design team, participating in their contest, and they contact you privately. (the contest holder will be reminded of the rules, if you respond to them privately, you will be removed from the design team) 3. If you are not a design team member, but wish to enter their contest (this will get you banned from the forums). 4. If you have a question about their current contest. (post your question in the contest thread. If you have a question, chances are others do too - so everyone should see the answer).

When can I privately contact a contest holder?: 1. Only after their contest has closed. Usually it's best if you wait for them to contact you first.

13.- I have chosen a winner. Now what?
If your contest deadline has passed and you have chosen a winner, please post the winners username in the contest thread. Please also specify which design you have chosen (if there is more than one entry for the chosen designer).
Once you have done that, please send a Private Message to the designer notifying them of any changes you want to the design., and information as to what type of files you're looking for, and where they can send them.

After that, the designer will send you the design files. Once files are received, please send a confirmation email to deposit@designcontest.net or a private message to jlinds72, so that we can send the prize out to the winning designer.

14.- Why do I have to deposit the prize?
There was a time when contest holders did not have to deposit the prize - but many people took advantage of that. People would start a contest, have the designers create a design, and then disappear. Sometimes they would even disappear with someones design - leaving the designers without a prize and our website with a bad reputation. To solve this problem, the administrators decided that it would be in our and the designers best interest to guarantee all prizes first. By depositing your prize with us, we can not only guarantee the designers a valid prize, but we can also guarantee that you are not going to disappear on us.

In this type of environment where you do not meet your clients/customers in person, guaranteeing the prize funds gives the designers the piece of mind needed to prove that you take their time, and yours very seriously. There's nothing worse than for a designer to put hours into a design, to find that the contest holder has disappeared. In the same respect, your prize funds are not transferred to the winning designer until you have received the design files. Guaranteed prize funds works to establish an honest and professional business relationship right from the start.

15.- Why can't I post my contest?
Once your contest form is submitted and your prize is verified as being deposited, your contest will be posted by an administrator. This process could take up to 24 hours.
You can not post your contest yourself, because you do not have access to the contest forums. Once your contest is verified and posted, your usergroup will be changed by an administrator giving you access to post topics.