Product Design Brief | Guide + Template

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When switching from Google Docs to HolaBrief, I found that our briefs became significantly more in depth
- Terri Williams, Agency Founder

What is a product design creative brief?

Before we take a look at the many benefits that can come from a product design brief and what you need to include in yours, it is first important to understand what one is. This thorough document plays a vital role in the development of any product and will act as the basis for the entire team to work from.

When everyone has a clear understanding of what is required, it ensures that communication is far easier and the project runs as smoothly as possible. This will help to give you complete peace of mind that you do not need to continuously answer questions over minor aspects of the product.

It is effectively an overarching summary that clearly details every step of the project. It should also describe who you are as a company and provide as much context as possible behind why you are creating this product.

It is also a good idea to outline a clear deadline and any milestones that you expect to achieve during that timeframe. The more comprehensive and in-depth you are in this product design brief, the more likely you are to achieve your desired goals.

What are the hidden benefits of implementing one?

Although it can seem like a time-consuming process to complete, implementing a thorough product design brief can transform any project and provide you with a huge array of benefits. The most important of these is that everyone working on the development will understand exactly what their roles are when the project needs to be completed by.

This not only helps to enhance communication and minimize the risk of lengthy delays and expensive repeats, but it also ensures you can relax and not face dozens of repetitive questions, saving you time. Miscommunication can be one of the most frustrating parts of any product development cycle, so the more thorough you are in the brief, the less stress and worry you will face.

Of course, a product design brief is not just for the developers. As you sit down to create the document, it is a great chance for you to begin to think critically about the project and the challenges you might face. This will allow you to focus clearly on what you want to achieve and ensures you have the answers to overcome whatever might stand in your way to reaching those goals.

How to write a product design brief? A tested outline

Now that you know why you should write a comprehensive product design brief, it is time to start putting pen to paper. However, while there can be no denying the many benefits that come from creating this document, it can be very hard to know where to begin.

We understand how difficult this process can be. Every project is different, and it can be tough to know what information is relevant and will help your designers create the perfect product. That is why to help you, we have taken a closer look at the five key points that you should include in every product design brief:

1) Project Description

The first step is to create a comprehensive summary of the entire project. This should detail everything that you want to achieve from the product, such as its function, how you expect it to look, the materials used, and what you expect from the design team.

This is one of the most important parts of the document and is a section that you do not want to rush. You should detail who your company is, what you do, and what your goals are, as this will provide the designer with the context needed to bring your vision to life.

2) Objective

When you have been able to complete your project description, you should then move on to consider what your overall objectives are. This is your chance to clearly detail what the end product will look like and how it will be used.

However, the objective stage is much more than just detailing the end result. It is also your chance to document what you expect from the design team and how the end user will use the product.

3) End User

Once you have completed your objectives, you can then begin to move on to detailing the end user. This is a crucial part of any product development cycle, ensuring the end result is something that your customers will want to use.

During this section, you can outline everything the designer will need to know about the finished product. This includes things such as the final dimensions it needs to meet, where and how it will be used, and the overall size requirements.

Use our Customer Persona builder inside HolaBrief for free!

4) Roadmap and requirements

Another important aspect of any product design brief is the roadmap and requirements. This is your chance to detail to the design team all of the milestones that they will need to achieve throughout the project.

This is an important step, and you should make sure you include regular updates. This will ensure that any miscommunication or errors can be picked up early before they become major issues later down the line.

5) Visual direction

The final stage of any product design creative brief is the visual guidance. This should clearly outline to the design team of the look, feel, and direction that you are hoping to achieve with the final product.

This is your chance to showcase to them exactly what it is that you are hoping to achieve, and the more descriptive you are in this process, the more likely you are to receive the end product you are hoping for. Moodboards are an excellent tool to use while tackling this phase since they allow you and your client to communicate and collaborate on ideas while also providing the project with a clear path to follow. Try our interactive moodboards for free!

Build and download your product design creative brief samples

No matter what the product that you are hoping to develop might be, a comprehensive product design brief is essential to the smooth running of your project. However, we know how tough it can be to begin these documents.

That s why here at Hola Brief, our mission is to help you every step of the way and ensure you can create an in-depth document that every designer will be able to use. Using our years of experience, we have created a unique piece of software that will take you through the process of creating a brief step by step, giving you the tools and knowledge needed to create the ultimate brief.

So if you are looking to begin building your brief in a matter of minutes, check out our samples for free or get in touch with our team, who will be happy to help you!

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Either pick from our tested templates or create custom briefs using interactive exercises like Moodboard, Customer Persona, or Competitors Map. Once done, send the link to the client so they can respond without the need to have an account.

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Ready to create standout work in less time?

Join 1000s of agencies using HolaBrief to set up their projects for success.