The design brief
A design brief is a written document for a design project, which represents the business need for the design and the designer. It is usually focused on the desired results of design, rather than aesthetics, which is really up to the designer.
Design briefs are commonly created by the clients of a designer – they bring their brief to the consultation with the designer to discuss their needs. The designer uses the brief to investigate it and create a design to show the client.
Design briefs usually include a:
Design briefs are commonly created by the clients of a designer – they bring their brief to the consultation with the designer to discuss their needs. The designer uses the brief to investigate it and create a design to show the client.
Design briefs usually include a:
- statement of the problem or project;
- statement of the function of the product; and
- list of special considerations and limitations.
Writing a design brief
Writing a design brief may feel a bit overwhelming at first, but here are a list of questions that you can use to inform your brief and start the conversation between the client and the designer.
- What are the goals of the design? Why?
- Who is the target audience? What are their demographics (age, gender, income, tastes, views, lifestyle etc)?
- What are the specifications? For example, what is the finished size, function etc?
- What types of fabrics/materials do you want the product to be made from? What don't you want to use?
- Do you have a benchmark (i.e. point of reference) in mind? Provide some examples of other similar designs, what you are looking for, what you are not looking for.
- What is your budget?
- What is the time scale like? When does it need to be finished?
