🙋‍♂️frequently asked questions💯️

General

1.1. What can I get designed?

1.1. There is no limit to the scale of project to get designed. It is worth noting though that designers, like most people, are motivated by a measurable reward – either financial, professional or prestige – and the seriousness of the patron.

1.2. What can I do with the design I receive?

1.2. The designs you will receive are developed up to ‘Stage 2’ (Design Concept). That means it is not a construction document (or working drawing) so it cannot instruct a contractor on how to proceed. It certainly can, however, be used to enhance conversation about what is possible on your property (you will have much richer ideas) and it can guide a contractor. You can develop the design further either with the winning designer independently or with designBouts and the designer (see ‘design stages’).

1.3. Can I make a combination of design entries I received?

1.3. You may, but note that a professional designer thinks of the implications of a design decision in a wholistic manner. This means you may move a door and actually compromise the fire safety of your property (which a professional designer would have anticipated and overcome in accordance with the respective regulations).

1.4. How long does it take?

1.4. The minimum time the process can take is five business days…the determining factors are the location of your property (can a designBouts technologist get there), how long it’ll take the technologist to generate the as-built drawings, the scope and scale of your project and the interest designers have in participating.

1.5. How much does it cost?

1.5. The price is generally driven by the amount of time it will take for a professional to execute the project as well and the time the technologist takes to develop the design your brief, the create the as-built drawings of your property and travel time to and from your property.

1.6. How much would it cost to get my project built (the actual building)?

1.6. You will specify an approximate budget in the ‘project info’ page (you’ll receive this  page when designBouts meets you). The designers will design with that constraint in mind. A good designer uses constraints as a means to inform what is possible, so please be very clear and honest about what you can afford. Remember, designBouts mainly focuses on providing Stage 2 (design concept) suggestions, there is a lot of development that takes place between stage 2 and the building of the building. (designBouts can support you through this process by you working with us and the winning designer or you may work with the winning designer independently, see 1.2).

1.7. Are the designs I’ll receive based on a budget?

1.7. Yes, see 1.6. They are based on the information you share in the ‘project info’ page.

1.8. Does designBouts offer different packages?

1.8. Yes. There are ‘open’ and ‘closed’ battles, you can shorten battles and there are three different relationships you may have with designBouts and the designer once a winner is selected. Closed battles are more expensive than open ones. Shortening a battle costs more than a traditional one. You can shorten either battle option (i.e. you may have a short closed battle or a short open battle). See 1.2, 1.6, ‘types of battle’ and ‘costs’.

Safety

2.1. Can an intruder use the floor plans to plot his access to my property? 

2.1. Yes. designBouts has however vetted our designers, we do keep records of who has entered the battle and we will work with you to protect any sensitive information. The information that becomes public is no more than what is shared on any other site (this will be a selection of images that you and the designer are comfortable sharing provided designBouts’ interests are not compromised by the decision).

2.2. Can I get into trouble if a designer plagiarised his submission?

2.2. No, you cannot.

Design stages

3.1. What are the design stages?

3.1. In South Africa, there are five design stages.

3.2. Which design stages does designBouts work until?

3.2. designBouts can work through every stage. See 1.2, 1.6 and 1.8. The initial battle is until stage 2, thereafter you can decide how you want to continue the relationship.

Types of battles

4.1. What is an open battle?

4.1. An open battle is one where there is no restriction to which designBouts affiliated designers may enter the battle. 

4.2. What is a closed battle? 

4.2. A closed battle is one where there are limits as to which designBouts designer may enter. The closed battles are more expensive than open ones. 

4.3. May I speed up the process? 

4.3. Yes, you can request that the battle be sped up. This minimises the rounds so a winning design may be found sooner. This option is available for both open and closed battles. It is more expensive than a traditional battle. See 1.2, 1.6 and 1.8.

4.4. How do I get more designers to participate in the battle?

4.4. The simple answer is by offering a bigger prize. See 1.1.

Plagiarism, Intellectual property and Ethics

5.1. Who owns the intellectual property?

5.1. You own the intellectual property for the particular design for the particular property or site. designBouts and the designer own it for every other instance. So, you may not replicate the design in any other way or in any other way on the site or on any other site without consent from designBouts and the designer. Apart from the ethical issues with using someone elses work without compensating them or abusing fairness, there are very real safety concerns, see 1.3.

5.2. Can I put my school project on designBouts?

5.2. designBouts will not object to it, but designBouts does not wish to enable plagiarism. Further, your school may take issue with you using designBouts due to you presenting someone else’s work as your own and then being compensated for it.


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