The Project Brief: Where every design starts
And if it doesn't, it should!
Every project starts with a brief. And honestly, sometimes the first time you open it, you instantly know: this is going to take some work. The expectations can be vague, overloaded, or missing the critical information you need. Or worse, it’s a cut and paste job!
The client may initiate the brief, but it is the designer who gives it clarity, structure, and of course the narrative. Designers think beyond the immediate requirements. We translate ideas into a visual and strategic direction.That responsibility starts long before the first drawing is produced — and it begins with the language of the brief.
So what actually is a brief?
The word “brief” is often associated with being short. But in design terms, it’s anything but.
A brief is an instruction. It informs every person involved—client, designer, consultants, and contractors—about the scope, intention, and requirements of the project.
A good brief should:
- Remove ambiguity
- Align expectations
- Define responsibilities
- Reduce risk
- Clarify priorities
It gives everyone the same starting point. And every strong brief starts with one question:
✨Your WHY.
Why does this project exist?
Before any design takes place, clarify:
- Has a feasibility study been carried out?
- Is there a demand or need for this development?
- What value will it bring to the end-user or the environment?
This is where early surveys and studies help to uncover risks before they become expensive design issues. I once worked on a project where surveys were pushed to the contractor— which is far too late in the design process, and every discovery was painful for everyone involved, not to mention expensive and time consuming.
✨ Understand WHO the project is for
Define the intended end-users clearly. Build a profile with:
- Who they are
- Their needs
- The Demographics
- And their pain points
Great design is always user-led. Without clarity here, the project quickly loses direction.
✨ Define the WHAT
Get specific.
Consider and record:
- Scope
- Key outcomes
- Project Specification
- Programme / Timeline
Don’t wait until you’re halfway through the project to discover new requirements. If there are future-phase works, add-ons, nice-to-haves — list them, but note they may depend on budget and timeline.
✨ Identify the CHALLENGES early
Every project has constraints. Name them early and openly:
- Budget
- Time
- Approvals
- Specialist requirements
- Site Access
- Phasing
Example additions that often get missed:
- Fire strategy requirements
- Sustainability goals or certifications
- Future-proofing needs
- Technology or security provisions
One of the most difficult projects I managed involved cladding that could physically not be brought onto site due to access limitations. These are issues that should never appear halfway through construction.
The brief is not just paperwork
It’s the route map for the entire project. It aligns the team, tests expectation and protects the design process from unnecessary risk.
Need help developing or reviewing a design brief?
I help architects, interior designers and developers rewrite and refine their project briefs for clarity, alignment and better design outcomes.
Or send your existing brief for review.
Let’s make your next project start on the strongest possible foundation.
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