What to send your designer before a project

A good brief saves time on both sides. You don't need design knowledge to write one, just the practical details below. If you are unsure about any of them, send what you have and ask.

1. What needs designing, and where it will be used

Say exactly what the design is: a logo, a Facebook cover banner, a business card, a menu. Then say where it will appear. A banner for a Facebook page and a banner for a printed shop window are very different jobs.

2. Final wording and accurate contact details

Send the exact text you want on the design, already checked. Double-check phone numbers, email addresses, opening hours and prices. Changing wording after the design is done usually uses up a revision round.

3. Your existing logo and brand files

If you already have a logo, send the best version you can find, ideally an SVG, PDF or large PNG with a transparent background. Add any colours or fonts you already use. A screenshot works if that's all you have.

4. Sizes or printer specifications, if you know them

For social graphics, name the platform and the placement, for example "Instagram story" or "LinkedIn cover". For print, ask your printer for their size, bleed and file requirements. If you don't know which sizes or file types you need, just say so. I'll confirm them with you before starting.

5. A few reference examples

Two or three examples are plenty. For each one, write a sentence about what you like: the colours, the calm layout, the bold type. That tells me far more than the picture alone.

6. Your deadline

Give the date you actually need the files, and why if it matters (a launch, an event, a print order). The delivery date is confirmed with the scope before work begins.

7. One clear round of feedback

When the design arrives, gather everyone's comments into one reply. Conflicting notes from different people slow things down and can use up a revision round.

Copyable brief checklist

What needs designing:
Where it will be used:
Final wording (checked):
Contact details (checked):
Existing logo and brand files attached: yes / no
Sizes or printer specifications (if known):
Reference examples and what I like about them:
Deadline:
Who will give the final feedback:

Ready to send yours? Send your brief through the enquiry form and I'll reply with the scope, price and delivery date.