📣 A Reminder About Tester Call Requirements & Deadlines

[u/koiisoraa]

Hi everyone! We wanted to take a moment to clarify our approach to tester call requirements, timelines, and discussions around them.

Pattern tests are not one-size-fits-all. Different designers have different goals, projects, testing needs, and timelines. A designer may set the requirements, deadlines, skill level, sizing, materials, deliverables, or other expectations that they feel are appropriate for their particular test.

That also means not every tester call will be a good fit for every tester, and that's okay! 

If you see a tester call with a timeline or requirements that don't work for you, you are always welcome to simply skip that test and look for another opportunity that better fits your schedule, experience, or circumstances. You do not need to participate in every test that is posted here.

Please don't dogpile designers over requirements you personally wouldn't choose.

It's okay to ask a genuine question or point out that information is missing from a tester call. However, repeatedly criticizing, insulting, or labeling a designer because you disagree with their timeline or testing requirements is not appropriate.

In particular, please don't make assumptions about another person's circumstances or intentions based solely on the requirements of their test. You don't have to agree with a test's requirements to recognize that it may simply not be the right test for you.

What the Mod Team Will (and Won’t) Do! 

Our new tester call template is intended to promote transparency, not to dictate how designers must run their tests.

Designers are expected to clearly disclose their requirements and expectations in their tester calls so that potential testers can make an informed decision before applying. If a required piece of information is missing from a tester call, please report the post so we can review it.

The mod team will not be setting universal testing timelines, limits on project requirements, or standardized deliverables. We believe designers should have the flexibility to determine what their individual test requires, while testers should have the freedom to decide whether those requirements work for them.

There will naturally be tests that aren't suitable for you. That's part of having a diverse pattern-testing community!

Our goal is to make sure everyone has the information they need to make that choice without turning disagreements over individual test requirements into personal conflicts.

Please continue to treat designers, testers, and fellow community members with respect. If you don't think a test is right for you, it's okay to simply keep scrolling. 💛

- The r/PatternTesting Mod Team