In order for you, the designer, to do the best job you can, it is crucial to understand exactly what your design 'task' requires.

This is where the Design Brief comes in. When done correctly, it becomes a vital communication tool for your coursework project. With a Design Brief, you have a single guiding document for your entire design project that you should constantly refer to throughout the project. Your Design Brief MUST clearly identify who is the User of the final product.

A Design Brief is a slide / section in your PowerPoint that defines the core details of your coursework project, ideally including your Goals / Aims and a strategy (what you will do to try and solve the design problem you have identified). 

It needs to define what you, as the designer, need to do, and within what constraints i.e. handing in your coursework on time, be a manageable size, not cost too much etc. 

In many ways, a Design Brief works like a 'roadmap' or a blueprint, informing your design decisions and guiding the overall workflow of your project, from your initial analysis and research, concept ideas through to your coursework completion.

The project overview section / part of your Design Brief should provide a clear and concise description of your project. It should cover the what and why behind your project. For example: "I need a large speaker with volume, bass and treble controls, with a bluetooth connection to be used to connect to a phone or tablet device, and it must provide enough sound for a room that is 52m2."

You can write this section by asking yourself or your User the following questions:

• What design problem are you trying to solve?

• What 'product' is expected at the completion of the project?

One of the most important steps in writing your Design Brief is aligning on what you or your User want to achieve with your new design proposal.

You should try to make a distinction between goals, aims and objectives. 

Goals describe the overall purpose of the project i.e. 'I want to make a working ....'

Objectives are concrete measures of success in reaching a goal i.e. 'I want it to look aesthetically pleasing and for the user to like the shape'. 

Aims can be described as what you hope the end product outcome is and what you hope to learn from completing the project. What is your Aim?

The more specific and direct these are in the Design Brief, the clearer your path will be for your forthcoming work. Here are some questions that may help get clarity on project goals, aims and objectives:

• What would your ideal outcome look like for this project?

• Are you redesigning an existing product? Why? What new things are you adding so that it is different?

Understanding your User (audience) is the first step in addressing their needs in the best possible way. Take your User, and build your persona around them. Outline their User Profile (how old, male / female, business people, wealthy etc.) and psychographic characteristics (values, desires, goals, interests, and lifestyle choices), as well as the problems you want to solve for them through your design proposal product.

• Who is your ideal customer / User?

• What are their demographics (age, gender, opinions, values, family), habits, and goals?

• When and how will they be using your product - environment, time and place?

If your User / target audience is teenagers, a 'flashy' design might work better. If your target audience is people above 60, you’d need a subtle and simple design that gets the message across quickly. If your target audience is Pre-Prep aged children then bright primary colours would be most appropriate. What are their 'tastes'? i.e. what do they like (materials, style, other brands etc.). = If your target user is a business person with a high income then perhaps you would want to look at more luxurious materials (hardwoods, brass etc.) 

Similarly, if your target audience is people who are in a '9-5' job, you’d need a design that catches their attention within a few seconds, because they are busy the entire day.

If you want your design to be great, you need to clearly define your User in your Design Brief.

I will design and manufacture a Bluetooth amplifier / speaker for a male business man and his family residing in Bangkok, Thailand. The amplifier / speaker should cater to the client's expensive tastes, incorporate high-end materials, and feature a minimalistic design aesthetic. It should deliver powerful sound to cover the client's entire living area of 52 square meters (from my research interview), comprising the lounge, kitchen, and dining area. Additionally, the client wants  portability and the possibility of utilising solar power or rechargeable batteries if possible.

What should it do?

1. Audio Performance:

• Design a Bluetooth amplifier / speaker that delivers loud and immersive sound within the client's entire living area of 52 square meters.

• Ensure exceptional sound quality and clarity across various music genres and audio content.

2. Materials and Aesthetics:

• Incorporate high-end materials such as hardwoods, brass, and aluminum in the amplifier / speaker design.

• Create a minimalistic and stylish aesthetic that complements the client's existing home decor and preferred product brands.

3. Portability:

• Enable easy movement and portability of the amplifier/speaker throughout the living area.

• Consider lightweight materials and ergonomic design for effortless transportation.

4. Power Integration:

• Explore the possibility of incorporating solar power as an alternative energy source for the amplifier/speaker.

• Research solar charging technologies and determine their feasibility for the product.

5. User-Friendly Interface:

• Design intuitive controls and user interface for easy operation.

• Consider touch controls or voice commands for a sleek and modern user experience.

6. Power and Connectivity:

• Provide a reliable Bluetooth connection with an extended range to ensure seamless audio streaming.

• Ensure sufficient power output to drive the speaker for optimal performance.

7. Safety and Compliance:

• Adhere to relevant safety standards and certifications for electronic devices and audio equipment.

• Incorporate appropriate measures to protect against electrical hazards and ensure user safety.

8. Cost and Manufacturing:

• Optimise the design for efficient manufacturing within a school workshop setting.

• Consider cost-effective manufacturing processes and locally available components in Thailand without compromising quality.

9. Budget:

• Consider the available budget and resources within the school workshop for materials, components, and manufacturing processes.

1. Design and manufacture a Bluetooth amplifier / speaker that meets the User's requirements and preferences.

2. Create a visually appealing and high-quality product that aligns with the User's taste for luxury and stylish aesthetics.

3. Deliver a powerful and immersive audio experience throughout the User's living area of 52 square meters.

4. Explore the possibility of integrating solar power as an alternative energy source for the amplifier / speaker.

5. Ensure ease of portability and movement within the living area for versatile usage.

This is an excellent example of a Design Brief, although imagery would help show the context. The second slide makes clear the Aims and Objectives of the project.