Comments on: How do you write a design brief? http://www.davidairey.com/how-do-you-write-a-graphic-design-brief/ David is a graphic designer with a passion for brand identity. Here you'll find his portfolio and a wonderful community of designers reading his blog. Sat, 04 Jul 2009 18:25:36 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8 hourly 1 By: Vanessa Tran http://www.davidairey.com/how-do-you-write-a-graphic-design-brief/comment-page-2/#comment-115239 Vanessa Tran Fri, 03 Jul 2009 04:55:34 +0000 http://www.davidairey.com/how-do-you-write-a-graphic-design-brief/#comment-115239 Hi David, I've had some people approach me without any clear vision of what they want for their upcoming project - yet they want a design and they want it NOW. I think it's important to realise that we shouldn't be designing things for everyone simply for design's sake. (Unfortunately, those potential clients never ended up following through with their ventures...) Anyway, I'm a student still in working progress, and you're an inspiration to me. Thanks for writing this article! Hi David,

I’ve had some people approach me without any clear vision of what they want for their upcoming project – yet they want a design and they want it NOW.

I think it’s important to realise that we shouldn’t be designing things for everyone simply for design’s sake.

(Unfortunately, those potential clients never ended up following through with their ventures…)

Anyway, I’m a student still in working progress, and you’re an inspiration to me. Thanks for writing this article!

]]> By: David Airey http://www.davidairey.com/how-do-you-write-a-graphic-design-brief/comment-page-2/#comment-114294 David Airey Tue, 26 May 2009 10:39:09 +0000 http://www.davidairey.com/how-do-you-write-a-graphic-design-brief/#comment-114294 Thanks for sharing your own thoughts, Jane. I agree. A design brief is an ideal way to keep the client focused on what they need. Thanks for sharing your own thoughts, Jane. I agree. A design brief is an ideal way to keep the client focused on what they need.

]]> By: Jane http://www.davidairey.com/how-do-you-write-a-graphic-design-brief/comment-page-2/#comment-113904 Jane Wed, 13 May 2009 23:35:09 +0000 http://www.davidairey.com/how-do-you-write-a-graphic-design-brief/#comment-113904 Hi, Great to write about this subject. My own brief goes into a bit more detail and I tailor it to the type of project. I have one for web, one for general design projects and one for logos. Anyone who doesn't use a brief is really nuts. And I have been pushed on occasion to begin a project when the brief is incomplete, contradictory in some way or too general. I have refused on occasion to move forward. But it's hard to convince some clients until you get in there with concepts that aren't working. Even with one, I have had mystery people appear mid way through with different ideas, or a key piece of information is introduced. At least with a brief you can say "didn't you say THIS was a key attribute?" for example. It doesn't fix everything but at least the client knows they're responsible in some way, not to mention that you actually use the brief for designing. As for budgets, I try to say that I don't base my cost on budgets but that I need to know if it will be a good fit. Not to price up to the budget limit. Some organizations are refreshingly transparent. This is likely because they have actually planned a budget based on known factors. Hi,
Great to write about this subject. My own brief goes into a bit more detail and I tailor it to the type of project. I have one for web, one for general design projects and one for logos.

Anyone who doesn’t use a brief is really nuts. And I have been pushed on occasion to begin a project when the brief is incomplete, contradictory in some way or too general. I have refused on occasion to move forward. But it’s hard to convince some clients until you get in there with concepts that aren’t working.

Even with one, I have had mystery people appear mid way through with different ideas, or a key piece of information is introduced. At least with a brief you can say “didn’t you say THIS was a key attribute?” for example. It doesn’t fix everything but at least the client knows they’re responsible in some way, not to mention that you actually use the brief for designing.

As for budgets, I try to say that I don’t base my cost on budgets but that I need to know if it will be a good fit. Not to price up to the budget limit. Some organizations are refreshingly transparent. This is likely because they have actually planned a budget based on known factors.

]]> By: Marc http://www.davidairey.com/how-do-you-write-a-graphic-design-brief/comment-page-2/#comment-109013 Marc Mon, 05 Jan 2009 09:45:25 +0000 http://www.davidairey.com/how-do-you-write-a-graphic-design-brief/#comment-109013 Re "cheeky" as a response to "what's your budget"... this is the first way to spot a "red flag" client IME. If they have no idea what they can spend, let alone what they will, you're already on the path to trouble. Re “cheeky” as a response to “what’s your budget”… this is the first way to spot a “red flag” client IME. If they have no idea what they can spend, let alone what they will, you’re already on the path to trouble.

]]> By: Ludo http://www.davidairey.com/how-do-you-write-a-graphic-design-brief/comment-page-2/#comment-107262 Ludo Mon, 22 Dec 2008 16:00:07 +0000 http://www.davidairey.com/how-do-you-write-a-graphic-design-brief/#comment-107262 Naresh said, " I make it a point to make the client know that he is paying me for my skills and not for the timeline. It helps them in understanding the value of our work." May I ask how do you make this point clear, when one is starting up or when the client seems to have a blind ear? I mean, practically, how do you do that? Naresh said,

” I make it a point to make the client know that he is paying me for my skills and not for the timeline. It helps them in understanding the value of our work.”

May I ask how do you make this point clear, when one is starting up or when the client seems to have a blind ear?
I mean, practically, how do you do that?

]]> By: David Airey http://www.davidairey.com/how-do-you-write-a-graphic-design-brief/comment-page-2/#comment-105277 David Airey Fri, 28 Nov 2008 15:00:49 +0000 http://www.davidairey.com/how-do-you-write-a-graphic-design-brief/#comment-105277 Adapt-away, Marc. Some people just go ahead and copy it without first asking, so I appreciate you getting in touch. Adapt-away, Marc. Some people just go ahead and copy it without first asking, so I appreciate you getting in touch.

]]> By: Marc http://www.davidairey.com/how-do-you-write-a-graphic-design-brief/comment-page-2/#comment-105273 Marc Fri, 28 Nov 2008 10:26:12 +0000 http://www.davidairey.com/how-do-you-write-a-graphic-design-brief/#comment-105273 Much of our work is without a succinct brief - especially logo/branding. Is your Logo questionnaire something you would mind us adapting at all? I realise that's akin to using your methods to keep work from you, I'm assuming your blog is to spread good practice but would never lift your work without the courtesy of a request. Thanks for the insight. Much of our work is without a succinct brief – especially logo/branding.

Is your Logo questionnaire something you would mind us adapting at all?

I realise that’s akin to using your methods to keep work from you, I’m assuming your blog is to spread good practice but would never lift your work without the courtesy of a request.

Thanks for the insight.

]]> By: David Airey http://www.davidairey.com/how-do-you-write-a-graphic-design-brief/comment-page-2/#comment-100354 David Airey Wed, 06 Aug 2008 20:16:10 +0000 http://www.davidairey.com/how-do-you-write-a-graphic-design-brief/#comment-100354 All the very best in your new design path, Katie. I hope it works out well for you. Feel free to get in touch if you think I can be of help. All the very best in your new design path, Katie. I hope it works out well for you. Feel free to get in touch if you think I can be of help.

]]> By: Katie http://www.davidairey.com/how-do-you-write-a-graphic-design-brief/comment-page-2/#comment-100345 Katie Wed, 06 Aug 2008 19:31:01 +0000 http://www.davidairey.com/how-do-you-write-a-graphic-design-brief/#comment-100345 Absolutely invaluable information here on this blog. As a brand new designer I can't thank you enough for sharing your wisdom. Your site has been bookmarked and will likely become an oft-referenced place for me. Thank you! Absolutely invaluable information here on this blog. As a brand new designer I can’t thank you enough for sharing your wisdom. Your site has been bookmarked and will likely become an oft-referenced place for me.

Thank you!

]]> By: David Airey http://www.davidairey.com/how-do-you-write-a-graphic-design-brief/comment-page-2/#comment-94782 David Airey Mon, 26 May 2008 14:36:51 +0000 http://www.davidairey.com/how-do-you-write-a-graphic-design-brief/#comment-94782 Naresh, <blockquote>I make it a point to make the client know that he is paying me for my skills and not for the timeline. It helps them in understanding the value of our work.</blockquote> Well said. John, I can empathise with that first question being 'how much?'. I wonder how you choose which companies to refer those clients to. For instance, sometimes I'm simply too busy to take on new logo design work, and I refer clients to designers I respect, but where the price is the issue, not time, the choice becomes more difficult (if you understand). Richard, You're very welcome. Thanks for leaving your thoughts. Naresh,

I make it a point to make the client know that he is paying me for my skills and not for the timeline. It helps them in understanding the value of our work.

Well said.

John,

I can empathise with that first question being ‘how much?’. I wonder how you choose which companies to refer those clients to. For instance, sometimes I’m simply too busy to take on new logo design work, and I refer clients to designers I respect, but where the price is the issue, not time, the choice becomes more difficult (if you understand).

Richard,

You’re very welcome. Thanks for leaving your thoughts.

]]>