During a contest, a project will pass through a number of stages. This article tries to clear up what each of the stages mean. The typical workflow of a project: - Draft - Whilst a customer is writing the brief and it the project has not been launched yet, it is in draft phase. Draft projects can be deleted by a customer.
- Open - Once a contest project has been paid for and launched, it is open. Here designers are invited to submit their work (or their interest for a freelance job).
- Deciding - Once the deadline on a project runs out, the project is put into deciding status. In deciding status, the customer should start deciding on which design they would like to select and work with the designer in the design handover phase.
- Design Handover - Once a customer picks a design/designer, they gain access to a design handover page where they can send messages, download source files and gain access to all linked designs from that designer. For more information see here.
- Closed - Once a design has gone through the handover phase and the customer has approved the source files, the project is ready to be closed and DesignCrowd is able to pay all designers who received money.
Note: There are some exceptions to this process. For instance, if a customer has not guaranteed their project, then they are able to get a refund. These will go to a Closed - Refunded status.