DESIGN PROCESS – STEP 1 DEFINE THE PROBLEM
During this phase of the design process, team need create a “Design Brief” for the problem that
has been proposed.
Look at the example
Read the problem description
AS A TEAM – COMEPLETE THE DESIGN BRIEF Using the attached format sheet
Writing a Design Brief
A design brief is a written plan that identifies a problem to be solved, its criteria, and its constraints.
Completing a design brief encourages thinking through all aspects of a problem, and it can serve as the
deliverable for step one in the design process, Define Problem.
A design brief helps identify the details around product creation. A brief should begin to address what
the designers are thinking about the design, including the following:


What purpose(s) will their creation serve?
What problem(s) will their creation address?
Design Brief Components
Design Brief
Component
Description
Client
A person, company, organization, or group that requires the talents of an
engineer or designer to develop a solution.
Target Consumer
People who will use the design.
Note: Often the target consumer and the client are one and the same.
Designer
The creative person who is designing a solution to the problem or
opportunity.
Problem
Statement
A clear and concise identification and description of the design problem
or opportunity.
Design Statement
Statement that describes the anticipated design effort to address the
needs of stakeholders and problem statement.
Criteria
A list of needs and design requirements that describe what the design
solution must do to meet the needs of stakeholders.
Constraints
A list of specifications and design requirements that define parameters or
boundaries the design solution must address. These might include time
constraints, budget, codes, safety, or physical attributes (size, weight,
color).
Design Brief Example
Complete the Design Brief
Design Brief
Component
Client
Target Consumer
Designer
TEAM ______________
Problem
Statement
At Saratoga High School, some senior students have the opportunity to
arrive to school late of leave school early. For safety and security of our
campus and its occupants, the school needs to make sure that these
students are accounted for as they arrive and leave our campus each day
without having to check into and out of our attendance office each day.
Design Statement
Criteria
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Constraints
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.