A Guide to Writing the Perfect Brief - The Other Hand way
What exactly is a brief? It's like a set of directions you give to your designer, guiding them on who you are, what you need, why you need it, and when you need it by. Oh, and of course, your budget – that's the fuel for our journey!
But don't worry, we're here to make this journey smooth sailing. We’re going to dive into a guide on what to include on your brief and how we, The Other hand, like to challenge it, so we’re giving you a little insight into how to delve deeper into each part of the brief.
About You: Unveiling Your Essence
Let's kick things off with introductions! Tell us all about you or your business.
What do you do or sell?
How long have you been doing it?
Who are your competitors?
Sure, you could tell us what you do and who your competitors are, but let's delve deeper. What's your story? What sets you apart? Let's explore the essence of your brand or business to uncover what truly makes you shine.
Project Aims: Beyond the Surface
What are your goals for this project?
Increase brand awareness?
Launch a new product?
Connect with a new audience?
Boost your social media presence?
Increasing brand awareness and launching products are great, but what's the underlying goal? Let's dig beneath the surface to uncover the heart of your objectives. Is it about forging meaningful connections? Inspiring change? Let's dream big and aim for impact.
Target Audience: Understanding Their World
Who are we trying to reach?
How would you describe your target audience?
Why are they your target audience?
What do they currently think about your offerings?
Describing your audience is one thing, but understanding their hopes, fears, and aspirations is another. Let's put ourselves in their shoes and empathise with their journey. What drives them? What challenges do they face? Let's craft designs that resonate on a deeper level.
Deliverables: Thinking Outside the Box
What goodies do you need from us?
Print publications?
Marketing materials?
A fresh website?
Social media assets?
Print publications and websites are standard, but let's push the boundaries. How can we surprise and delight your audience? Maybe it's an interactive experience or a guerrilla marketing campaign. Let's explore unconventional deliverables that leave a lasting impression.
The Deadline: Time for Innovation
When do you need our journey to reach its destination?
Is there flexibility in the deadline, or is it firm?
Are there key milestones or checkpoints leading up to the final deadline?
How do you envision project timelines being communicated and tracked?
Deadlines are important, but they shouldn't stifle creativity. Let's use time constraints as a catalyst for innovation. How can we streamline our process without sacrificing quality? Let's embrace agility and adaptability to deliver exceptional results, even under tight timelines.
Your Budget: Maximizing Impact
Okay, this one's often overlooked, but it's essential. Knowing your budget helps us plan our journey accordingly.
Budgets can be limiting, but they can also spur creativity. Let's brainstorm cost-effective solutions that maximise impact. How can we stretch your budget to achieve your goals without compromising on quality? Let's find innovative ways to make every penny count.
Bonus Items: Exploring New Horizons
These are the little extras we can discuss later or include in the brief:
Who will be our main point of contact?
Any technical or legal requirements we should be aware of?
What's not working with your current brand or designs?
Have you spotted anything you like or dislike from competitors or elsewhere? Share your inspirations with us!
These questions are just the beginning. Let's explore uncharted territories and unearth hidden gems. Who knows what insights and inspirations we'll uncover along the way? Let's embrace curiosity and openness to discover fresh perspectives and spark new ideas.
By providing answers to these questions, you're not just helping us – you're also setting the course for our journey together. And here at The Other Hand, we're ready to challenge conventions, explore fresh perspectives, and uncover the unexpected.
Let's Create Together
At The Other Hand, we have extensive knowledge of branding, whether that being helping the little guy out with their new brand or helping work alongside some of the biggest companies in the UK to roll-out and develop their brands.
Head to our portfolio to see our latest case studies.
If you think you’re ready to take that next step with your brand, big or small, give us a shout at hello@theotherhand.co.uk. Let’s start something new and embark on an exciting journey together!