Design brief


A design brief is a document for a design project developed by a person or team in consultation with the client/customer. They outline the deliverables and scope of the project including any products or works, timing and budget. They can be used for many projects including those in the fields of architecture, interior design and industrial design. Design briefs are also used to evaluate the effectiveness of a design after it has been produced and during the creation process to keep the project on track and on budget. Some firms rely on them more than others but there is a move towards greater accountability in the design process and therefore many people find them most useful. They usually change over time and are adjusted as the project scope evolves. Often they are signed off by the client and designer at set stages in the project.
A design brief may use the following layout:
  1. Title page
  2. Table of contents
  3. History
  4. * Company history
  5. Company Profile
  6. * Specializations
  7. * Designer Profile
  8. * Company Name
  9. * Past Accomplishments
  10. Problem Statement
  11. * Problem Description
  12. * Constraints
  13. * Budget
  14. * Time
  15. * Needs of the Problem
  16. Goals
  17. * What you plan to accomplish
  18. ** Due dates
  19. Solution Analysis
  20. * Risks/Benefits
  21. * Planned Solutions
  22. * Sketches
  23. Synopsis
  24. * Evaluation
  25. * Conclusion/Summary