To ensure a successful design project, a designer will often employ a design brief. A design brief is an essential descriptive document that outlines the specific details of a design project. A few common points may include the project overview and scope, timelines, target audience, and budget. For extensive projects, a web design project, for example, items may include, size of the site, multimedia elements, and interactivity.

There are two key reasons to use a design brief: efficiency and direction. Presenting clients an overview of their project lets the designer confirm everything before the work starts. It also helps them in eliminating any ambiguities in the design process and helps to keep all on the same track.

The design brief serves as the overall direction for the project and in the end, it saves the client time, money, and headache when all the details and goals are discussed upfront.