How to Brief a Designer: Setting Up for Design Success

Posted by Mayang on May 9th, 2025

Working with a designer can spark brilliance—or bottlenecks. The key? A clear, focused design brief.

A strong brief saves time, controls costs, and keeps everyone on the same wavelength. It ensures the web designer gets your goals, style, and project scope without endless clarifications.

If you’re hiring web design services, here’s how to brief effectively—no fluff, just the good stuff.

1. Provide Context

Kick off with the basics. Give enough info to ground the project.

• What’s your business?
• Who’s your audience?
• What’s the design’s purpose?

Example:
“We’re a flower shop. Our website should display bouquets, share delivery info, and take orders. It needs to feel elegant, simple, and mobile-friendly.”

No need for a deep dive. Skip the company saga. Designers need clarity, not a backstory.

2. Specify Deliverables

Be clear about what you’re asking for. A full site? A few graphics?

Detail:

• Number of pages or assets
• Specific features (e.g., order form, gallery)
• File formats needed

For web design services, add:

• Just design, or development too?
• Are you providing content, or do they?

This keeps the project focused.

3. Use Visual Examples

Words like “elegant” or “modern” mean different things to different people. Visuals don’t.

• Link to 2–3 websites you like
• Highlight what stands out (colors, layout, flow)
• Say why they work for you
• Share 1–2 “not this” examples

Visuals save time and align expectations better than adjectives.

4. Sort Out Content

Design needs content to take shape. Without it, things grind to a halt.

Include or plan:

• Logos
• Photos
• Text (headings, body)
• Media (videos, icons)
• Brand guidelines (colors, fonts)

If content’s delayed, say when it’s coming—or ask the designer to mock it up.

5. Set Deadlines

Deadlines drive progress. Vagueness invites delays.

Include:

• First draft timeline
• Final delivery date
• Any external deadlines (e.g., a product launch)

Factor in time for feedback. “Whenever” doesn’t work. Dates do.

6. Be Transparent About Budget

Budget shapes the project. Sharing it helps the designer propose what’s doable.

Provide:

• A rough range
• What’s non-negotiable vs. flexible

Example:
“We’re budgeting ,800 for a homepage, about page, and mobile support.”

This keeps everyone aligned.

7. Clarify Decision-Making

Who’s approving the work? Outline the process.

• Who reviews drafts?
• How many rounds of revisions?
• Who signs off?

Solo decision-maker? Easy. Multiple stakeholders? Be upfront. More opinions mean more time.

8. Mention Technical Needs

If the site needs to run on a specific system (e.g., Wix, Squarespace), say so.

Also include:

• Accessibility requirements
• Performance targets (e.g., fast load times)
• SEO needs

No need for tech jargon. Just share your priorities, and the web designer will dig deeper if needed.

9. Keep It Concise

A brief doesn’t need to be long. It needs to be clear.

Skip:

• “Make it iconic!”
• “It should feel fun but professional.”
• “Go crazy!”

Vague phrases confuse. Stick to specifics and examples.

10. Trust the Process

Once briefed, give the designer room to create. Great design takes time and collaboration.

• Respond quickly to drafts
• Stay open to suggestions
• Avoid over-managing

You’re hiring a web designer for their skills, not just to execute orders. Let them work their magic.

Closing Thoughts

A solid brief doesn’t need buzzwords or flair. It needs focus. You don’t need to be a creative guru—just explain what you need, why it’s important, and what “done” looks like.

Whether you’re partnering with a freelancer or an agency offering web design services, a great brief is your foundation. It keeps the project on rails, the budget in check, and the outcome on target.

Nail the brief, and the design will shine.