When you're ready to move forward with a designer on Dribbble, it's time to get a formal Project Proposal. Think of the proposal as your contract—it should clearly outline every detail of the project to avoid any confusion later on. A well-crafted proposal ensures that both you and the designer are aligned with expectations and deliverables.
Discuss Project Details First
Before requesting a proposal, have a thorough discussion with your designer. Talk about the project specifics and what you expect. Include key elements like your budget, timeline, and more, which will save time later.
It can be helpful to ask for budget estimates from multiple designers but aim to receive a project proposal only from the designer you intend to move forward with.
Understanding the Proposal
The proposal you receive acts as your project contract, so it should be comprehensive. Here’s what to look for in the proposal:
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Deliverables: Review the types of final products and formats. The designer should outline:
- File Types: Details on what formats you’ll receive (e.g., JPEG, PNG, vector files).
- Resolution and Quality: Whether the files are print-ready or optimized for digital use.
- Usage Rights: Clarify if you get full ownership or limited rights for the designs.
- Third-Party Assets: Ensure that the proposal specifies all materials and resources included, such as fonts, images, or other design elements.
- Revisions: Check how many rounds of changes are included. A well-defined proposal will specify the number of review periods and specific check-in periods, such as initial sketches, options round, and final approval.
- Timeline and Milestones: There should be well-defined key project milestones with specific dates (e.g., mood board, draft, final version).
Third-Party Contracts
While you may have third-party contracts and agreements, remember that Dribbble’s terms take precedence. Make sure to review our Terms and Conditions for details on cancellations, ownership, and other intellectual property issues.
Review the Budget and Fees
The project cost in the proposal will not include Dribbble’s fees. Ensure you understand the total cost and any additional fees associated with using the platform.
Learn more about Dribbble Project fees.
Accepting the Proposal
Once you're satisfied with the proposal, you can accept it to proceed to payment. This step finalizes your agreement with the designer and begins the project.
Learn more about making payments.
Declining the Proposal
It will be less common to decline a proposal, but if something doesn’t look right with the proposal or something’s changed about your project, you have the option to decline the proposal. The designer can then make the necessary changes and re-send a new one for review.