1. The Design Brief
How to Write

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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)

9. 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

10. Economics Time and Cost Costing: Time management: Materials
Labour costs
Use of machinery and tools
Time management:
Correct timing of manufacturing components
Lean and JIT(just in time)manufacturing
Material availability

11. 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

12. Materials Wood/timber Metal Textiles/yarns/fibres/fabrics
Plastics (polymers)
Characteristics:
Strength
Durability
Hardness
Density
Rigidity
Flexibility

13. Technologies Tools, processes and manufacturing methods 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

14. 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)