Using a design brief will make a difference to your business and also to your bottom line. But how exactly? Let’s take a look at design brief’s in general and also look at 5 ways a design brief allows you to not only look better, but also increase profit for your design studio or business.
Design Brief Template + Free Templates
Table of Contents
What is a Design Brief ?
A design brief gathers all the information regarding a proposal prior to designing something including any information such as such as aims and objectives or goals that need to be achieved.
It really isn’t a difficult document to put together and will allow you present your business more professionally with your client.
Therefore, it is highly recommended.
A design brief will profile your business and talk about the history and ethos behind your brand. It will also identify your strengths and specializations for example the things you are good at.
Remember this – you should be differentiating yourself when presenting your business.
How is your business different?
Take a look at this a bit further down the page and find out more about how to differentiate your business even if it is the same as any other business.
Who uses a Design Brief ?
Design briefs are used by design professionals such as web designers, architects, interior designers and generally anyone that provides design as a service.
The idea behind a design brief is to identify the tasks that you are going to take.
This type of document is used by professionals to communicate their business better. Web designers, architects, interior designers, engineers or whoever, it doesn’t really matter. The point is, these types of professionals should all be using design briefs to lift the professionalism of their business and consulting services.
If you are one of the types of professionals above or any other type of service based design profession, then you should use a design brief for every Client you engage.
Design Brief Example
Review a design brief example below.
How To Differentiate Yourself in the Design Field
So, if you are a design professional, what is the difference between you and the guy next door?
It is going to be difficult. You should identify what is different and how you are different first before producing any marketing material or design brief.
Maybe you are thinking right now – well there isn’t much difference between me and the dude next door. How am I different?
Do you produce good quality service fast and at a competitive rate? Is that what makes you different?
That is not what makes you different. Anyone can do that.
Maybe you have a cool business card, logo and business name? Is that what sets you apart?
Not likely. That too can be copied very easily.
What about your office premises and the car you drive?
They are also things that are no different from anyone else if they chose to copy you.
The only real thing you have in a service based or consulting based business that is completely different is:
YOU !
That’s right, no one can be you. No one has the same personality as you. No one has that weird laugh you have or the same hair (if you have any).
So, you must use this as your marketing weapon. That means getting comfortable about who you are and using your unique personality to relate to your potential clients and staff.
That makes all the difference and is how you differentiate yourself with your serviced based consulting business.
Now, turn that personality into a business and let it flow to all areas of your business and you will have a unique business no one can copy.
That’s what you are aiming for. Get that into your design brief and see how you go!
5 Ways A Design Brief Increases Profit
1. Get Organized
So firstly consider how you work daily. Are you the type of person that is everywhere all day – jumping from one thing to another and then you get to the end of the day and wonder how effective you have really been?
If so, it is likely you might approach your customers and clients like this. This can be good and bad, however if you relate this to a design brief, it isn’t likely the most effective way to approach your clients.
Organization means more profit – usually.
2. It will make you think about what you are doing
Secondly, you will be forced to have a strategy in place to win the work instead of just throwing stuff everywhere.
It will make you think strategically about what you are doing. This will then be very helpful when meeting your Client or customer.
A better strategy means better profit. It makes you more professional and professionalism usually means you can raise your fees.
3. Differentiation of you and your business
Differentiation is where the money is. Being different and identifying your unique attributes that focus on benefits to your customers allows you to then strengthen your position in your niche and target it.
Remember, your niche is not your profession. Your niche is what makes you unique in your industry and location.
If you have a burger bar and sell burgers, your niche could be 100% vegetation burgers only. How you market and focus on selling these awesome burgers to your potential customers that like vegetarian, is the niche you are in.
You, your location, your competitors, what makes you different and the particular area you focus on will help you identify what niche you are in.
Use your personality to stand out because no one is the same as you.
4. Professionalism
Being professional does make a difference to what you can charge your customers.
Do you deliver slow and make mistakes?
Do you dress in an untidy manner and look like you just got out of bed?
Do you yawn in meetings and fall asleep?
Do you answer the phone with – what do you want?
These things all communicate your level of professionalism. If you identify where you can be better, then improve your efforts and you will also be able to lift your fees.
5. Identify all the benefits of dealing with your business
A design brief will be a window into how you operate and your Client will get a glimpse of how you work.
This will allow them to decide if you are the right business for the job.
You have a great opportunity to present your business as professionally as you can – so don’t blow it.
Questions You Should Answer In Your Design Brief
Who/what is your business?
Identify the details of your business including if you are new or established. What product or service you deliver. What your brand is and what it stands for. Also communicate how you differentiate your business from the rest of the field.
Not that easy to do but with some thought you can certainly build a strong case.
What are the Objective/s of the Design you are Undertaking?
OK so here is the fun bit. You need to identify what is the reason for the design?
This could be communicated with aims and objectives. Start with an overall aim and then build up 5 or more objectives to reinforce the aim.
What is the purpose of your product or service? Is it to introduce a new product to the market or to educate the market prior to releasing a product?
Are you building a new brand or profile in an already established industry?
Answering these questions will help you focus on the right information to include in your design brief.
Use A Design Brief Template And Save Time
Using a design brief template will save you significant time and effort. If you need to get together a design brief and don’t have too much time or you are not sure what to do, then consider downloading a design brief template.
A good design brief template should have a good amount of information in it that you can simple amend to suit your project. A lot of designers use a brief template to help them focus on what they need to deliver. The easiest way is to use a project brief template that has been created in MS Word.
Conclusion
5 Reasons a Design Brief is a Great Idea
- Confidence to invoice the client
You will have every confidence that you can send your invoice to the Client at the completion of your task. If you have met the brief – you have every right to claim payment.
Miss the brief or get it wrong and chances are there will be arguments. Also you may not get PAID!
- Allows you to remember the detail
It is easy to forget things. A design brief identifies and records all the important details. What could be better as a reminder?
- Enables you to communicate details to your team
A design brief allows you to communicate the details of your engagement with the Client to your team. This can be done easily by sharing the design brief with the people who will assist you in completing the work.
This is going to allow you and your team to be super efficient and understand the project prior to commencement.
- Keeps the client accountable
Scope creep is a business killer. Having the scope allowed for and not allowed for communicates clearly to the Client what is included and what isn’t
- Reduces your stress
Probably the best reason of all to use a design brief is that it certainly will reduce your stress.
You will have a plan for the future of the project, reduce the need to try and remember everything, be clear in your communication with all stakeholders within the Client’s Company and have written records of what was agreed.
This will reduce disagreements, arguments and disappointment.
Learn more about using a design brief template to save time and effort.
Design Brief Template + Free Templates
Design Brief FAQ
What is a Design Brief?
A design brief gathers all the information regarding a proposal prior to designing something including any information such as such as aims and objectives or goals that need to be achieved.
Who uses a Design Brief?
A design brief is typically used by professionals in the Creative Industries sector. This could be Architects, Landscape Architects, Engineers, Website Designers, Interior Designers, Industrial Designers, Fashion Designers or basically anyone that designs for a living or hobby.
How do I create a Design Brief?
The fastest way to create a design brief is to use a design brief template. You can purchase these online for minimal outlay or write your own from scratch.
Will a Design Brief be Helpful?
A design brief will be extremely helpful in planning your project. It will not only assist your client or customer, it will also assist you in getting your ideas and thoughts together before proceeding with the content of the design process.
Comments
What is your experience with Design Briefs? Has it helped in your situation?
