The Design Brief How to Write

What is the purpose of a Design Brief?

The design brief is a document that defines a problem or need , its context and the requirements that need to be fulfilled based around that problem or need.

Outline of the Context or Situation

What the product needs to do and why.

When developing a brief the following questions should be applied. What (is the problem or situation that needs to be solved)? Why (is a solution needed)? When (is it needed)? What (is the product needed for)? Where will it be used? How will it be used?

This section paints the picture of the brief. The information should be concise and direct.

You can also refer to the ‘Function, purpose and context’ product design factors when writing the outline.

Product Design Factors, are aspects which may make up the ‘Considerations and Constraints’. These include:

Purpose, function, and context

Human-centered design(Human needs and wants)

Innovation and creativity

Visual, tactile and aesthetic (design principles and elements)

Sustainability (social, economics and environmental systems perspectives)

Economics – Time and Cost

Legal Responsibilities

Materials – Characteristics and properties

Technologies – tools, processes, and manufacturing methods

Product Design Factors

Purpose, function, and context

The reason or the need for the product. “Who, Why, What”

Primary and secondary function Primary= Main function, (eg, the cabinet on the left

is to store c/ds) Secondary= Features of the design(eg, use of

materials, joining methods, storage techniques)

Context Where will the product be used When the product will be used

Human-Centered design

Human needs and wants Problems or needs which can improve wellbeing and

quality of life Cultural and religious considerations Age Economic status(income status) Fashion trends/styles Safety Accessibility Ergonomics Comfort

Innovation and creativity

A Creative approach to solving problems or needs. Invention Improvement Modification experimentation Pushing the boundaries Thinking outside the square New ideas New materials Emerging technologies/techniques

Visual, tactile and aesthetic

Design Principles & Elements The products form, appearance and feel Principles= balance, emphasis, repetition, movement/rhythm,

pattern, proportion, symmetry and space Elements= point, line, shape, form, texture, tone, colour,

transparency, translucence and opacity.

Visual= The visual look of the product(what is it)

Tactile= Touch, what the product feels like to touch or use

Aesthetic= What the product conveys(feeling, mood, era and/or style)

Sustainability

The connection between Social, Economic and environmental systems. Social= How will it affect people and communities Economic= How will it affect the economy and jobs Environmental= how will it affect the environment and natural

resources

Other aspects: LCA (life cycle assessment) LCT (life cycle thinking) Carbon footprints Embodied energy Water use Distribution and transport

Economics

Time and Cost

Costing: Materials Labour costs Use of machinery and tools

Time management: Correct timing of manufacturing components Lean and JIT(just in time)manufacturing Material availability

Legal responsibilities

IP (intellectual property)

Patents

Design registration

ISO International standards organization

Regulations and legislation OH&S

Products must be produced safely and be safe to the user

Materials

Wood/timber

Metal

Textiles/yarns/fibres/fabrics

Plastics (polymers)

Characteristics: Strength Durability Hardness Density Rigidity Flexibility

Technologies

Tools, processes and manufacturing methods Proper and safe use of tools and equipment in the

production of a design

Methods: Marking out, setting out Cutting, shaping/forming Joining/assembling/construction Decorating/embellishing/finishing

When developing the Design Brief

Outline of the situation and context: (statement outlining what the design problem or need is)

Constraints: (things that cannot be changed or have been stipulated by the client or end user. Should be in dot point)

Considerations: (things that are open to interpretation to you as a designer. Can be in dot point or

statement format)

Client Profile: (An in-depth profile of the client or end user including; age, interests, styles, tastes, similar items, living conditions, economic status, ETC)