The quality of a design job depends heavily on the brief. A clear brief saves time, reduces revisions and gets you something you can use. Here is how to brief a graphic designer in Burlington.
What is a design brief?
A design brief is a short document that tells the designer what you need and why. It covers the goal, the audience, the size and the details that must appear.
It does not have to be long. One page with clear answers is better than ten pages of notes.
What should I include in my brief?
Cover the basics first, then add anything special. A good brief answers the questions a designer would otherwise have to ask.
Include:
- Goal: what the piece should achieve, such as more bookings or a clear menu
- Audience: who will see it
- Format and size: flyer, menu, social post, or other
- Content: the exact text, photos and logo to use
- Deadline: when you need it and why
Our Burlington graphic design team can work from a simple outline if you are not sure where to start.
How do I explain the look I want?
Show examples. Pictures of designs you like, and ones you dislike, tell a designer more than adjectives like "modern" or "clean".
Say what you like about each example, such as the colours, the spacing or the type. Also share your brand colours and fonts if you have them.
What if I do not have a logo or brand guide?
Tell the designer. They can create a simple foundation first so everything you make afterward looks consistent.
A logo plus a few chosen colours and fonts goes a long way. See our graphic design services for logo and brand work.
What details do designers often wait on?
Missing content is the biggest cause of delays. Gather it before you start.
Have these ready:
- Final wording, checked for spelling
- Phone number, address, website and social handles
- High quality photos or permission to use them
- Your logo in a usable file
- Any legal text or terms that must appear
If you are not sure your logo file is good enough, send it anyway and ask.
How should I plan for printing?
Tell the designer how the piece will be used. A flyer for handing out, a menu for tables and a social post all need different sizes and settings.
If it will be printed, mention quantity, paper type and finish early. Our printing services cover cards, flyers, brochures and postcards, so design and print can be planned together.
How many rounds of changes should I expect?
Agree on this at the start. Most projects include a set number of revision rounds, and extra rounds may cost more.
To keep revisions short:
- Collect feedback from everyone first and send it together
- Be specific, such as "make the phone number larger"
- Point to what is wrong, not only that you do not like it
- Approve in writing when you are happy
What about sign design files?
We design the artwork files only. We do not make, print or install signs, so you would use a separate sign maker for production. Our designers can prepare the files in the format that maker asks for.
How do I work with a designer near Burlington?
Local helps, since you can meet and see samples. Visual Branding serves Burlington, Oakville and Grimsby as well as Hamilton, and we have been working with local businesses since 2015.
Our rating is 5.0 from 19 Google reviews. When you are ready, send your brief through the contact page. We quote per project before any work starts.
Quick answers
What is the most important part of a design brief?
The goal. When the designer knows what the piece must achieve, every other decision gets easier.
Do I need to provide my own text and photos?
It helps, and it speeds things up. Tell us if you need help with either.
How long should a brief be?
One page is plenty. Clear answers matter more than length.
Can you design for both print and social media?
Yes. We make flyers, menus, social graphics and more, sized for each use.
Do you make physical signs?
No. We design sign artwork files only and do not make, print or install signs.