Design Brief
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- boobs
I notice when I see writing about design from the UK there's much more of an emphasize on "the design brief" over there.
Do these really help in the process? Or is it just another administrative headache?
- maikel0
any work requiring paperwork is just an excuse to put more PM hours.
:P
- d_rek0
most of the small firms / studios i've worked with can't seem to or don't really want to embrace the concept of a 'Design Brief'. I think they can be very helpful in defining the goals for a project – but as with most things if it's in writing then people will typically accept that as finality of some sort. I can definitely how it would be needed in the agency world where you have to manage boatloads more people.
Personally I've found them useful for scoping out and defining goals and deliverables for freelance projects. And I think clients appreciate it too. It helps them wrap their head around what is expected of both parties.
- boobs0
How much time, on a "typical" project, would you spend on the brief?
- BaskerviIle0
What?
how can you design anything without being told what to design?
a brief is essential to agreeing what the problem that needs solving is.
It should be written collaboratively with the clientgood briefs lead to good design
- agreedd_rek
- I'm with you on this oneContinuity
- Here fucking here, I would never work without one... how can you possibly quantify your work or manage expectations without oneKidswift
- ...without oneKidswift
- all agreed gents, but you all know that what it should be done is not what is mostly donemaikel
- I would never work without one, BUT i recently went freelance and there are a load of agencies that don't EVER!robulation
- d_rek0
boobs,
... it depends... probably not more than an hour for most smaller projects. If they're very complex and comprehensive projects I can understand setting aside a whole day to collate all the information that would need to be in a well-developed design brief. It really varies depending on the scope of the project.
- flashbender0
what baskerville said - the brief defines what the design is supposed to accomplish. How can it be a successful design if you don't know what it is supposed to do? OR how can you plan or scope the project if you don't have a brief?
- Ranger0
By working out a brief it focuses the client on what they actually want which will save you untold amounts of time when it comes to design. Plus working up a decent brief is a billable aspect on any project.
Working without briefs is a horrible way to go about things, I'm told sometimes that a client won't know what they want until they see something - basically have a stab in the dark and we'll amend from there. It's their money... but it is pretty shitty from a designers point of view.
- lol at "working without briefs is a horrible way to go about things" some people find it liberating.bjladams
- artists you mean?Ranger
- artists, bus drivers, politiciansbjladams
- It's a good way to look like idiots in the client's eyes, because you didn't give them what they expected.i_monk
- would be a pretty rubbish bus driver who didn't follow the briefRanger
- alright ranger, though you were on board with that comment... but explaining a joke sorta ruins it. not that it was a great joke.bjladams
- Well I think it was lost in translation but I see where you're coming from nowRanger
- toodee0
Any good examples of well written briefs?
- i_monk0
I quit my last job when they started questioning whether we needed design briefs, because they're *so* much work for the account people.
You know, because designers are mind readers, and guessing what the client actually wants always turns out so well.
- monospaced0
There is no set format for a good design brief. Sometimes they're as simple as an email, and sometimes they warrant a 40pg deck. Either way, I still think they're absolutely essential to have when starting an involved project. I actually like to have a long sit-down with my clients and discuss their project. At the end of this I request that they put into writing what will eventually be the brief. I don't think it's the designer's side that should work on this as it is really the client's wishes being fulfilled. The conversation is all about getting them on the same page as us when it comes to the process involved and what we can deliver. Knowing this is helpful for them when they write their brief.
- slappy0
I'm usually in the original meetings so I will get a good idea of what the client wants, having said that I always have a brief.
Accounts write them, I read it and then if its good it goes to the client. I'm a designer in a small agency though.
- Projectile0
how about this:
Dude we need another one of those banners can you just start so long? I'll send you the copy as soon as they get back to me. Thanks mate cheers.
This was an actual email!! and no I didn't know what banners he was talking about and no I couldn't just start without knowing at least a rough amount of copy
- had that: we'll pick out the colors when we come down to pick them up... what?bjladams
- Mr_Right0
Design Brief: You must has it. If you're going to design without one it's like shooting arrows into the night sky. You'll rarely hit the target.
- monospaced0
The reason I like to have a brief in writing is because it can resolve arguments down the line. If a project begins to mutate from a peaceful design into a raging nightmare, it's good to go back and have something to point at and say, "Hey, this is not what we signed up for."
- jetSkii0
I've questioned this before and coincides with personas and user research. Defining goals for a projects, should these be focus entirely on the clients business goals or it's audience?
- on the businessmonospaced
- But what if your business is based on it's audience?jetSkii
- jamble0
Is this thread for real?
I look forward to the next installment of "Contracts - Do we need them or are they too much text to read?"
- or the season premiere of "Clients that don't pay" and the nail-biting conclusion of "How much to charge."monospaced
- transmission0
design briefs are the difference between professional well-intentioned designers and the stuff that you get from crowd-sourcing sites.
I'm my experience briefs can be elaborate or very short. If none are provided you must ask the right questions to find out what the client wants to solve.
One brief I received was verbal and it was simply "Make it feel like Harry Potter".
- Holy mother of christ - make it like Harry Potter!? They nailed that brief.MSL
- scarabin0
briefs make sure the whole design team is literally "on the same page" in terms of what is expected
- Miesfan0
not only help in the process. ARE the process!!!!