How it works: Designers
1. How to submit your concept to the Trust
Once you have signed-up and completed your profile, you will be able to submit concepts to the Trust.
Click “Create a new concept” to get started. The concept template will automatically save your text and uploaded images.
You will find our Submission guidelines and Do’s and Dont’s on the small (i) info-icon in the form. We use them when reviewing your concept – so please study them.
Once you are satisfied with your concept, you are to accept our “Submission Agreement”, and indicate your preferences regarding our different compensation models. After having accepted the agreement, we will review your concept.
A review can trigger three outcomes:
- 1. Your concept is approved without further rework. This triggers a "Signing required" status, as you would need to acknowledge the "Marketing Agreement". This agreement grants us a temporary 12 month right to market your concept on the Trust. Note: Of course, we will not sell your concept without your written consent.
- 2. Your concept needs rework. This triggers a "Rework needed" status. Your concept is now editable again, and you will find comments from our reviewer in the sections that needs rework. Once the comments has been addressed you can submit your concept for review again.
- 3. Your concept is rejected e.g. if you have plagiarised other designs or we deem it unfit for the Trust due to level of design quality.
Once the “Marketing Agreement” has been approved, we will publish your concept on the Trust. The concept will be promoted to Brands through private online viewings. Brands can only access the Trust through private viewing on request to ensure the integrity of all the concepts on the Trust.
2. What happens if a Brand wants to buy your concept from the Trust?
If a Brand is interested in your concept, we will lead the negotiation based on the compensation models which you have selected in the Submission Agreement.
We will present you with a commercial offer for your concept after our dialogue with the Brand.
As a designer, you have the option to sell your concept ”As-is”, or develop the concept into a ”Production ready design” in cooperation with the Brand.
Selling your concept as-is
You can opt to sell your concept as-is, which implies that you want to sell your design concept in exchange of a fixed one time on-the-spot fee. Note, that this option will not contain any kind of royalty payments if your concept is being introduced to the market.
Developing the concept into a production ready design
You can also choose to sell your concept and subsequent develop it into a production ready design in cooperation with the Brand. For this effort you will have the option to be compensated through royalties, a combination of royalties and design fees or design fees only.
The Phases from developing a submitted concept into a production ready design is as following:
- Phase 1 - Concept development: Done.
- Phase 2 - Design development:You will develop the concept into a final design based on the Brand’s feedback.
Timeframe: approx. 8 weeks. - Phase 3 - Design implementation: You will assist the Brand, from a design point of view, in preparing the design to production. Timeframe: Ongoing small adjustments over 2-6 months.
- Phase 4 - Launch: The Brand may request further assistance from you regarding the launch of the design (e.g. participation in media activities and/or designing marketing materials or packaging). Any Phase 4 services are due to a separate agreement.
The 150hours is a rough estimation. It is therefore your responsibility to provide the Brand with an ongoing hourly estimation to develop the production ready design. Note, the Brand is to approve the said estimations
3. How to submit a concept to a Design Pitch
Yes, you are free to pass the invitation to the given pitch e.g. if you do not have the time or skillset required to redeem the expectations from the Brand.
Yes, if you are invited to a Design Pitch and accept you will get 2500€ to develop 3 concepts within the given deadline
4. What happens if the Brand selects your concept from a Design Pitch?
Once the pitch has ended, the Brand will be presented the three (3) submitted concepts. At this stage, the Brand has the option to select and acquire a concept and together with the Designer develop the concept into a final design.
When your concept is selected by the Brand, it obligates you to further develop the concept into a production ready design. Your concept will serve as the foundation for further development. For this effort you will be compensated through royalties, a combination of royalties and design fees or design fees only.
The Phases from developing a submitted concept into a production ready design is as following:
- Phase 1 - Concept development: Done.
- Phase 2 - Design development:You will develop the concept into a final design based on the Brand’s feedback.
Timeframe: approx. 6 weeks. - Phase 3 - Design implementation:You will assist the Brand, from a design point of view, in preparing the design to production. Timeframe: Ongoing small adjustments over 2-6 months.
- Phase 4 - Launch: The Brand may request further assistance from you regarding the launch of the design (e.g. participation in media activities and/or designing marketing materials or packaging). Any Phase 4 services are due to a separate agreement.
The 150hours is a rough estimation. It is therefore your responsibility to provide the Brand with an ongoing hourly estimation to develop the production ready design. Note, the Brand is to approve the said estimations.
5. Finalising your concept into a production ready design
5.1 Phase 2 – Design development
When your concept is selected by a Brand, it obligates you to further develop the concept into a production ready design. Your concept will serve as the foundation for further development.
Designers Trust will facilitate an initial kick-off meeting for Phase 2. The purpose of the meeting is for all stakeholders to meet each other (you, Designers Trust and the Brand), and align expectations on ways of working, what is to be delivered and agree on the timeframe and next touch point(s).
During the kick-off meeting, you are encouraged to ask any clarifying questions you may have about the design and process. You must take minutes and share these with Designers Trust and the Brand to ensure the requirements and ideas of the Brand are understood and incorporated. You are expected to take ownership of this process and drive it – with support from Designers Trust.
Shortly after the kick-off meeting, the Brand will setup a feedback session. The Brand will share their thoughts and feedback on the concept. Subsequent, you are to provide the Brand with a memo of the meeting containing feedback alongside an hourly estimate and timeline for incorporating the feedback and schedule the next feedback session. The Brand has to approve the memo and the estimated hours to complete the work.
On average 1-2 feedback sessions should be expected before a Brand approves a final design and should be limited to 3.
The development of the final design should be completed within a 6 week timespan.
Once the design has been approved by the Brand, “Phase 2- Design development” is completed
The Brand can provide feedback on shape, dimensions, small features, colours, material options etc. and other variable that does not significantly change the core design behind the selected concept. Designers Trust has developed a feedback form and framework to ensure that expectation around feedback are aligned.
On average 1-2 feedback sessions should be expected, and is limited at 3.
5.2 Phase 3 – Design implementation
The objective of the next phase “Phase 3 – Design implementation” is to assist the Brand from a design point of view (in terms of the conceptual and visual aspects of the design), in implementing the design to the production of prototypes and preparation for production. Specific preparation may include e.g. redesign of portions of the design to adjust for manufacturing capabilities.
Designers Trust will facilitate the first working or Phase 3. The purpose of the session is to align expectations on ways of working, what is to delivered (output), agree on the timeframe and next touch point(s) for Phase 3.
During the meeting you are encouraged to ask any clarifying questions you may have about the design and process. You must take minutes and share these with Designers Trust and the Brand. The Brand has to approve the minutes before you commence the work.
You are expected to take ownership of this process and drive it – with support from Designers Trust.
After the meeting, the Brand will setup a feedback session. The Brand will provide you with feedback on manufacturing capabilities and required adjustments of the design (dimensions, shape, size etc.). Subsequent you are to provide the Brand with a memo of the meeting alongside an hourly estimate and timeline for incorporating the feedback and schedule the next feedback session. The Brand has to approve the memo and the estimated hours to complete the work.
On average 1-2 feedback sessions should be expected before a Brand approves the result, and a final design has been created. The feedback sessions should be limited to a maximum of 3.
The design implementation phase is a series of ongoing adjustments over 2-6 months, in which you usually should allocate 30-50 hours depending on the complexity of the design.
Once the design has been implemented and ready for production, Phase 3 is completed.
The design is to be completed in Phase 2. In Phase 3, the design will only undergo minor modification to adjust for manufacturing capabilities of the Brand.
5.3 Phase 4 – Launch and PR Support (optional)
Phase 4 concerns the public launch of the design. In relation to the launch and product release, the Brand has the right to use the following assets:
- The Brand may add the “Fair Share Design mark” on the finalized product and communication material.
- The Brand can reference you, as the Designer of the final product
In addition, the Brand may on request assistance in terms of:
- Having you to participate in media and/or product launch events including 1:1 interview
- Assisting the Brand by supporting the development of press and promotion materials e.g. provide a statement to be used in a press release, or video and photo shoot of you as the designer
- Endorsements online and offline
If the Brand decides to include any additional Phase 4 assistance, Designers Trust will together with you present a separate proposal of these services based on the requirements by the Brand.
Following the launch of the design, the Brand will provide relevant promotion materials of the Project such as product description, data sheet, press release or other, if available, which you are entitled use for professional and commercial purposes.
Yes – For any addition assistance or service the Brand may request from you in Phase 4 (e.g. interview, endorsements etc.), you will together with Designers Trust present a separate proposal of these services which are subject to an additional fee for the Brand.