Designer Code of Conduct

Designer Code of Conduct

This Code of Conduct applies to all Designers registered on the Designs Orbit platform. It sets out the standards we expect. Failure to comply may result in warnings, suspension, or permanent removal from the platform. By registering as a Designer, you agree to follow this Code alongside our Terms and Conditions.

I. YOUR COMMITMENTS

1. Original work only

Every design you submit must be your own original work. You must not copy, trace, or substantially reproduce another person’s design, whether from this platform, the internet, or any other source. All submitted designs must comply with UK copyright law (Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988).

If your design incorporates third-party material (stock images, fonts, icons), you must:

• Hold a valid licence that permits commercial use and transfer to the Client.

• Declare all third-party material at the time of submission.

• Provide licence details to the Client and to us on request.

Use of AI-generated imagery must be disclosed at submission. Clients are entitled to know whether any element was AI-generated before selecting a winner.

2. Quality standards

Submit only work you are proud of. Every design concept should be a genuine, considered response to the Client’s brief. We will remove submissions that are:

• Generic templates with the Client’s name swapped in.

• Obvious duplicates of your own prior submissions to other contests.

• Incomplete, placeholder, or deliberately low-effort.

3. Professional conduct

Treat all Clients, fellow Designers, and platform staff with respect. The following are not tolerated:

• Abusive, threatening, or discriminatory language.

• Harassment of any kind, including repeated unwanted contact.

• Dishonest or misleading behaviour (fake reviews, inflated credentials, impersonation).

Disagreements happen. If you cannot resolve an issue with a Client directly, contact our support team. Do not escalate disputes publicly on the platform or on social media.

4. Meet your deadlines

Only commit to work you can complete on time. If you enter a contest or accept a project, you are expected to deliver within the agreed timeframe. If something comes up and you cannot deliver, notify the Client as soon as possible through the platform. Going silent mid-project is a breach of this Code.

5. Keep everything on the platform

All communication with Clients and all payments must go through the platform. You must not:

• Ask a Client to pay you outside the platform.

• Share your personal contact details (email, phone, social media) with a Client for the purpose of arranging off-platform work.

• Encourage a Client to cancel a contest or project in order to hire you directly.

If a Client asks you to work off-platform, decline and report it to us.

6. Respect confidentiality

Some Clients run private or confidential contests. If a contest is marked as confidential or covered by a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA), you must not share, publish, or display any design concepts from that contest — not in your portfolio, not on social media, not anywhere. Breaching an NDA may expose you to legal liability beyond any platform sanctions.

Even for non-confidential contests, you may only display the work in your portfolio after the contest has concluded and results have been announced.

II. WHAT WE COMMIT TO YOU

1. Fair payment

When a Client selects your design as the winner, we will pay your Designer Fee within 3 working days. We collect Client payments upfront before a contest opens, so your payment does not depend on the Client paying after the fact.

2. Dispute support

If a disagreement arises with a Client that you cannot resolve directly, our support team will review the situation and mediate. We will consider the brief, the submitted work, the communication history, and our Terms and Conditions in reaching a decision.

3. Equal treatment

We apply this Code consistently. Enforcement decisions are based on conduct, not on how long a Designer has been on the platform or how much revenue they generate. If you believe a decision was unfair, you may appeal by contacting [email protected].

III. ENFORCEMENT

We take a graduated approach. The response depends on the severity of the breach:

Warning — Written notice, content removed. Example: Low-quality submission, minor brief misread.

Temporary suspension — Account suspended for a fixed period (7–30 days). Example: Repeated quality issues, undisclosed stock use, going silent on a project.

Permanent removal — Account terminated, outstanding fees forfeited. Example: Plagiarism, harassment, payment circumvention, NDA breach.

For serious breaches (plagiarism, fraud, harassment), we may skip directly to permanent removal. We will notify you in writing of any enforcement action and the reasons for it. You may appeal within 14 days of receiving notice.

IV. REPORTING CONCERNS

If you believe another Designer or a Client has breached this Code, contact us at [email protected]. Include the contest or project reference, the nature of the concern, and any supporting evidence (screenshots, links). We will review all reports and respond within 10 working days. Reports are treated confidentially.