A well-crafted design brief is critical to project success, guiding startups, nonprofits, and small businesses through the complicated design process. Let’s break down the essential steps to an effective design brief.
Clients of designers find it challenging to write a design brief, in the early stages of their business. But by following these steps, you can confidently articulate your brand identity and create a strong visual language for your digital products. Through collaborative workshops, designers can uncover your core values, mission, and the visual elements that define your brand.
Creating a customer journey identifies pain points for both you and the user. It ensures everyone is on the same page and serves as a foundation for informed strategic decisions, aligning design choices with the user’s journey and goals. This is not an easy task to do, but well worth the time and energy. This step can also be an extra project before the actual design work gets done.
Design briefs should be a collaborative effort. Involving key stakeholders ensures that diverse perspectives are captured, fostering a unified vision from the start.
Beyond the big picture, focus on practical elements such as timelines, budget considerations, and technical specifications. These details provide a roadmap for seamless project execution.
In this step, clarify the assets you can provide and the deliverables you need from your designer. Make sure you have the tools and resources to write texts or provide the necessary data, so they can be written for you.
Using the SMART objectives can be very helpful for this step.
Ensure that the goal is realistic and attainable. While it’s good to aim high, it's crucial to set goals that are possible to reach with effort and commitment.
Align the objective with broader business or project goals. It should contribute to the overall success and be pertinent to your current needs.
Set a specific timeframe for achieving the objective. This adds urgency and helps prevent the goal from being neglected.