A design brief is a written document provided to a designer that outlines the goals, objectives, and milestones of a design project. It ensures important design issues are considered before work begins. The brief specifies the design problem to be solved, explaining the project constraints and desired results to help the designer achieve an efficient finished design. Constraints can include timelines, budgets, technology limits, and social/ethical standards. Specifications give additional constraints like size, colors, materials, and costs that the design must meet. Sample briefs outline designing a hallway storage unit for families and a stationery organizer for students.

1. The Design Brief
A design brief is a written document for a
design project. The document is focused on
the desired results of design – not aesthetics.

2. How a Design Brief works
 A design brief is a written
explanation - given to a
designer - outlining the aims,
objectives and milestones of a
design project.

3. Its purpose
 the design brief ensures that
important design issues are
considered and questioned
before the designer starts work.

4. The design brief is a specification
by the client of what you have to
do, design, or make
 A design brief is essentially the
design problem that you have
been asked to solve

5.  It explains the project you have
been given in written form, with
the constraints outlined by the
client/boss and desired results.
 It offers some guidelines and
planning so you achieve the
finished design much more
efficiently

6. Design Brief Constraints
 Constraints are restrictions on the project or
design.
 Examples:
1. Time constraints. Must be completed in a certain
time
2. Cost constraints. Must be completed with a
specific budget
3. Technical Constraints. Limits of technology or
available technology.
4. Social and Ethical Constraints. Is the product or
process of manufacturing acceptable ethically in
terms of social or environmental good.

7. Design Brief Specifications
 You would normally get some design specifications
in with the brief.
These specifications are a type of constraint. Your
design must conform to them.
Example:
1. Size of product
2. colour scheme,
3. branding guidelines
4. Cost per unit
5. Materials used in manufacture etc.

8. Hallway Storage Design Brief
 Design Brief:
 I am going to design a hallway product which
primarily stores newspapers, letters,
magazines, and flyers, aimed families with
young children.

9. Stationary Organiser Design Brief
 I am going to design and make a stationery
organizer intended for people between the
ages of 15 and 25 (mainly students).
 Its purpose is to keep an area junk-free and
will enable the user to find things more
quickly. The environment that the product will
be used in is the bedroom, and may be sold
in stationery shops.