Skilful DesignersWhy a written brief matters
Most design projects that go wrong do not go wrong in the design. They go wrong because the designer and the client had different pictures of the job in their heads. A one-page brief, agreed in writing before you start, gives you something to check the work against, and something to point to when "one small change" turns into a new project.
Tips for a useful brief
- Write the goal as an outcome, not a style. "Look established enough for supermarket buyers" is testable; "modern and clean" is not.
- List deliverables and formats exactly. If it is not listed, it is extra.
- Name one person who signs off. Feedback from a committee doubles the revision rounds.
- Agree the number of revision rounds, and put it in your quote as well.
Frequently asked questions
What should a design brief include?
The business background, the goal of the project, the audience, the exact deliverables and file formats, the look and tone, any references, must-haves, the budget, the deadline, the number of revision rounds, and who has the final say. This generator covers all of them.
Who should write the design brief, the client or the designer?
Ideally both. Many clients do not know what to include, so a good approach is for the designer to run a short call, fill in the brief, and send it back for the client to agree. That agreed brief then becomes part of the scope in your quote or contract.
Is a design brief a contract?
Not on its own, but it defines the scope. Refer to it in your quote or contract (for example “as set out in the brief dated 3 November”) so any work outside it can be charged as extra.
Cite this tool
Skilful Designers. “Design Brief Generator.” https://skillfuldesigners.co.uk/design-brief-generator/ (updated 3 November 2026). Built by Sumair Roudani.