What is a Design Brief?
A design brief is a document that’s created for a design project. Whether one person or a team develops the brief, it’s the communication between the freelancer and the client.
The creative brief will usually outline:
- All project deliverables
- Project scope of work
- Budget required
- Project timeline
- Extra resources needed
Most design projects will often have a lot of moving parts and companies need clarity and structure—which a creative brief can offer.
Note: Bonsai’s design brief generator offers all the tips and tools required to draft up the perfect proposal. Sign up today to experience what this tool has to offer.
What to Include in the Design Brief
There are a number of key elements to include in a design brief to get over the finish line and secure your dream client. Without these important elements, you’re likely to miss the mark and leave the client with more questions than answers.
Here are just a few things to include in your design brief:
- Tell the client why they should choose you over other designers
- Find out what problems the client experiences, how you can solve them, and accurately design for their target audience
- Cover the scope of the project—leaving no stone unturned
- Set specific goals and determine the outcome of the design project
- Finish with an executive summary that outlines all the essential points within the brief
You may be thinking that a brief should always come from the client. However, clients are time-poor. They know they need your help, but they may not even be in a position to recruit it because of their own workload. If this is the case, it’s down to you—the designer—to put a brief together and give everyone a clear overview of the project at hand.
How To Write a Design Brief for a Creative Project
A winning proposal and design brief consider the bigger picture—beyond just the design project itself. After all, you’re probably not the only one pitching to this client; there are 57 million freelance workers in the US alone! It’s essential you’re hitting every selling point to convince your potential client of your abilities and vision for the business.
Find out exactly what the client wants
Research on the client’s background and the business requirements is a great way to score marks with your creative brief.
To begin with, you may want to incorporate some of your own knowledge about their company, their brand identity, and their values.
Next, you can follow up with the scope of the project and what’s required in order to resolve those pinch points. This offers a custom experience for your client, so they know your creative project has been tailored directly to their business needs.
Bonsai Top Tip: Including contact information for the individuals you’re pitching to is also handy.
Highlight what sets you apart
As a freelancer, you’re selling yourself and your talents, so don’t hold back. Highlight what skills and personal traits set you apart from the rest of the freelance designers. How are your experience and knowledge the best for the project on the table?
When explaining these points, make sure they tie back in with the client’s wants and needs. That way, you’re showing them that you can deliver on every requirement.
Detail your deliverables and requirements in your creative brief
Talking of requirements, a creative brief benefits from detail. Be detailed with your deliverables and what you require for the design project itself.
Make sure the budget is accurate and that you’ve considered all the aspects of the design process. You can’t always be 100% accurate, but try to be as close to the mark as possible.
Creating a Design Brief is Simple with Bonsai
When it comes to creative projects, a creative brief can be hard to draft up if you’ve never done so before. You may just be starting out your freelance career and have yet to reach out to a brand or company about a collaboration. Or, you’re simply swamped and haven’t had a minute to focus on this area of your business yet.
Using Bonsai stops you from having to go at it alone. What are the benefits of using Bonsai? Let’s take a look.
Covers all types of creative projects
Whether you’re working in the fashion design industry or you’re in design marketing, Bonsai is your guiding light to ensuring you deliver a stellar brief every time. The design brief generator covers all types of projects to tailor to the specifics of the industry you’re in and who you’re pitching to.
Easy to understand and navigate
Not everyone is as clued up on how to use online tools and platforms, and that’s okay!. Bonsai is simple to navigate and has a handy search bar if you can’t immediately see what you’re looking for.
Makes you look more professional
Creating the best project brief possible is going to help you secure that next client. Bonsai can help add professionalism to your pitches you didn’t know you had.
Sign up to Bonsai today and start using the free creative design brief generator to kick your next project off on the right foot.
Design Brief Generator FAQs
Who is the design brief generator for?
Busy design freelancers who are in need of templates for proposals, contracts, and invoices. The design brief generator is great for those in all areas of design, from graphic design to architecture, and even for smaller design agencies who may be limited in their resources.
What features are available in the free plan?
With the free version of Bonsai, you can create multiple projects, whether it’s contracts you need, to design briefs, or invoicing. There are hundreds of templates available to choose from that can inspire and influence your own ideas and help secure business for your freelance career.
Is it worth adding branding to your design brief?
Yes! As a freelancer, you’re the business, and so it’s useful to create brand assets that will become recognizable by clients both old and new. Make sure you showcase your brand in your design brief and stay at the top of your client’s minds.
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