The Design Brief How to Write

Any step can be revisited throughout the Product design process 1. Identify client, user, need, problem or opportunity 2. Design brief Outline of the context, constraints and considerations 3. Design option criteria and product evaluation criteria Development of criteria to evaluate how well the design, planning and the final product satisfies the design brief 4. Research Research into factors related to the design brief: materials and process investigations 5. Visualisations Concept sketches and drawings of whole or part of potential ideas to meet the requirements of the brief 6. Design options (presentation drawings), selection and justification of preferred option A series of potential solutions evaluated to determine which best suits the requirements of the brief 7. Working drawings and pattern drafting Drawings including technical drawings, showing product specifications (i.e. sizes and construction methods) needed for production planning 8. Production plan Sequential plan and timeline, listing tools, equipment and machine with risk assessment and a materials list 9. Production Scale model, prototype and/or product and production record. Refinements and modifications may be made throughout production 10. Product evaluation Evaluation of prototype/product quality using product evaluation criteria. Recommend improvements 11. Production planning and process evaluation Evaluation of the efficiency and effectiveness of production processes

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.

Product Design Factors  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)