Which activity marks the designer's commitment to the project?

• A. Signing a contract with the client
• B. Drafting initial concept sketches
• C. Selecting finishes
• D. Estimating project duration

Answer: (A)

Signing a contract with the client marks the designer's commitment because a contract formalizes the agreement, including scope, deliverables, schedule, responsibilities, and fees. It creates a binding promise to provide the specified services and to proceed under agreed terms, giving both parties accountability and a clear framework for handling changes, payments, and timelines. Other activities—drafting initial concept sketches, selecting finishes, or estimating project duration—show progress and planning, but they do not bind the designer and client to a fixed course of action or legal obligations on their own. They can be revised or renegotiated, whereas a signed contract commits both sides to the project as defined.