This document outlines different types of briefs that can be used between media companies and clients. It discusses contractual, formal, informal, co-operative, negotiated, commission, tender, competition, and my brief. For each brief type, it provides the definition, advantages, and disadvantages. It also discusses reading the brief thoroughly, negotiating the brief with the client, potential legal/ethical issues, and opportunities the brief allows for exploration.

1. WORKING TO A BRIEF
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Name

2. CONTRACTUAL BRIEF
Definition
A contractual brief is when a media company produces a design
brief for a artist or producer. Along with this the media
company signs an agreement to complete a specific task within
a specific time period for a set fee.
Advantages
The producer of the works that have been specified by the
media company are guaranteed a payment upon the
completion of the works.
Disadvantages
If the media company or the client do not stick to what they
agreed upon they would be found in breach of contract and
could face legal action.

3. FORMAL BRIEF
Definition
A client provides a media company with a brief that simply
establishes the product they want to be made only containing the
specific and necessary information required by the producer for the
process of production.
If there are any further works to be designed or produced then they
will need to be negotiated in further discussions with the client.
Advantages
This brief can give the artist more freedom.
Disadvantages
This is not necessarily a legally binding brief and so doe not
guarantee a payment at the end of the production.

4. INFORMAL BRIEF
Definition
Most likely a verbal agreement. Client and company discuss and
agree upon the project. As it is informal there may not be a set
complete.
Advantages
No legally binding contract.
Disadvantages
Can be risky due to not having a contract involved meaning that
is not always a guarantee for pay or the client may back off and
not allow you to complete your works wasting time for other
potential incomes.

5. CO-OPERATIVE BRIEF
Definition
A co-operative brief is when two or more companies are hired in
order to produce a work or set of works as specified by the
client. This often found in large scale productions such as
movies or television as they require a large staffing and a great
many varying skills to produce requiring the talent or multiple
groups.
Advantages
This separates the work loads to a more specific group and can
often provide support and assist individuals during production.
Disadvantages
If a disagreement occurs then a brief that fits both or all
produced must be negotiated.

6. NEGOTIATED BRIEF
Definition
When two or more media companies are working on a brief
together and have conflicting ideas regarding a project they
would have to negotiate the brief.
Advantages
The negotiation of the brief would be changed in order to appease all
parties (including client).
Disadvantages
This could involve changing visual style, changing the content or ensuring the
product stays within the boundaries of a legal or ethical obligation. All involved
may be required to compromise to continue working with the client.

7. COMMISSION BRIEF
Definition
Where a large media company hires an independent media
company to create a product for them. This brief is negotiated
between two media companies rather than an external client.
The product made may then be used by the larger media
company for an external client.
Advantages
The independent production company will be paid for making the
product and potentially part of the product’s profit each time it is
sold/broadcast/published. This can lead to continuous payment
and this rate can rise based on the use of the product and the
audience that it reaches.
Disadvantages
Freedom in production can be little due to the company above’s
specification and strict deadlines will be put in place.

8. TENDER BRIEF
Definition
A tender brief is when a client advertises that they need a
design or production put in place and individual companies or
groups produce a brief and budget for the produciton and
pitch it to the client. The client then decides upon which group
or company to hire based on this pitch.
Advantages
Can often lead to a company or group having a greater level of
control and freedom during production as they were the
original idea creators.
Disadvantages
Since being hired is not a guarantee then time spent preparing a
pitch and test works can waste money and resources.

9. COMPETITION BRIEF
Definition
A competition brief is when a client outlines the basic needs,
requirements and wants of a given production and then
advertises it as a free to enter competition where groups or
companies enter and then produce works to be entered. The
winner is then chosen and paid (if payment is the prize).
Advantages
If the producer wins then they can be paid and gain exposure.
Disadvantages
If the producer does not win then the time spent on production
can be a waste of time and resources with little to no gain.

10. MY BRIEF
The structure that I chose was a
formal brief as this allowed my client
to outline all wants in regards to the
design of the products chosen during
my production. My client created a
specific list of ideas, design
specifications and alternatives that
they had considered for the works for
me to use as a source for direction
and inspiration.
I chose this structure because of the
simplicity in specific direction that it
offers to both the client and I. My
client had the freedom to suggest any
and all ideas that they had and gave
me a chance to offer insight and
further discussion to potentially
expand upon these ideas.

11. READING THE BRIEF
Reading the brief thoroughly and completely is important because
specific details that the client wants to be included in the works could
be missed and therefore this could reduce the satisfaction that the
client has in the work. In the professional working world not reading
the brief correctly and working accurately to this brief could cause a
breach of contract and therefore legal action could be used.

12. READING THE BRIEF
My client has specified the basic principles of design and production
that they want me to follow as well as the nature of the designs (e.g.
versital and simple).
They have also included all required information such as their contact
details to be used on promotional pieces such a poster or postcard.
Finally they also provided me some basic direction in regard to a
method of communication as well as all those involved with the
production and direction of design.

13. NEGOTIATING A BRIEF
Why is it important to discuss the brief with your client prior to
production?
It is important to discuss the brief because through discussion that
issues are ironed out.
There are at times, legal and ethical constraints that the client may not
be aware of during the production and so they must be made aware.
For example my client wanted to included already published characters
within the work produced, however this would open them up to the
dangers of legal action, included potential breach of copyright law.
I also had to ensure that all works that the client proposed as feasible
within the time given for production.

14. NEGOTIATING A BRIEF
What are the advantages and disadvantages of employing discretion
with a brief?
Using the brief to my own discretion allows me to add aspects to a brief
that you may think will be interesting or something new you wish to
try; and potentially the client may also agree and ask for these new
ideas to be included.
However I would need to ensure it does not compromise or conflict with
what has been briefed and that the work would not waste precious
production time.

15. NEGOTIATING A BRIEF
Are there any potential legal/ethical/regulatory issues with the brief’s
proposed product?
There are no legal or ethical issues in regards to my client’s brief, and
all suggested ideas do conform with regulatory laws.
However through discussion with my client I found there to be a basic
legal issue in regards to the potential use of a copyrighted character
and art work surround this character. Because of this I refused the
works and instead suggested similar design ideas and potential
changes that could be made to replace this potential breach of
copyright law.

16. NEGOTIATING A BRIEF
Amendments you have considered to:
The Product
The products that have been suggested are basic and can be achieved
however I may have to consider changing the physical dimensions of
the products being produced.
The Budget
There is no budget to be specified or considered.
The Conditions
The conditions of the brief are not legally binding and so do not need to
be revised.

17. OPPORTUNITIES
What opportunities could this brief allow you to explore?
Self Development
This project offers the chance for me to develop my time management
skills as well as to experiment with new production techniques that
could be useful to me in the future as well as to gain some basic
experience working as a media producer or sorts.
Learning new skills
I can develop better more efficient production techniques

18. OPPORTUNITIES
Multi-skilling
This brief will give me the opportunity to work on my ability to
multiskilling and work on several project works at once.
Contributing to a project
This could show in the future that I have ability to work proffesionally.