Understanding Design Briefs and Specifications

The Design Brief

A design brief is a written plan that identifies the problem to be solved and clarifies the design objectives.
The brief summarises what the design project is about and its scope.
This document does not provide solutions but sets the foundation for idea development.
It includes details such as the target audience, the purpose of the product, the context in which the product will be used, and timescale for the project.
Insight: Effective design briefs are clear, concise, and focused.

The design specification is a detailed document that describes the design criteria which the solution must meet.
It will often include aspects such as performance requirements, resources available, constraints and limitations, safety standards, and environmental issues.
This should be a working document which is reviewed and updated as the project develops.
Remember: The design specification helps to check that the final design solution meets all the needs identified in the brief.

The design brief outlines the exact problem that needs to be addressed while the design specification details the requirements for the solution to the problem.
A design brief is more about the why and what while a specification relates more to the how.
The brief starts the design process, the design specification guides it, and both together ensure the end product meets the objectives.

The brief and specification play a foundational role in guiding the design process.
They help focus the design thinking, encourage innovation, and ensure design solutions are fit for purpose.
It’s important to frequently refer back to these documents throughout the product development process.

Learn to extract pertinent information from a given brief and use it to formulate a comprehensive design specification.
This is a critical skill that taps into your ability to interpret information, analyse needs and wants, empathise with users, and align these with feasible design and technological solutions.

Lastly, understand that the context of a brief will vary greatly from case to case.
For example, developing a solution for a small-scale, local problem will entail a different brief and specification than tackling a large-scale, global issue.
Be prepared to adapt your approach to your specific design context.