Can AI help drafting a better Design Brief? 🤓

When a new design project start, being it a Graphic design project, UI design or UX project, the brief from the client (stakeholder) is extremely important. It contains information which will drive designer effort and creativity, informing his research with any constraints and with any important requirement, timeline, expected deliverables, guidelines etc.

This step is often difficult to get right or at all from the client or stakeholder, so I asked myself if leveraging the use of AI to provide a quick draft will answer the call.

This step can be used then to improve the conversation with stakeholder and try to get the right information upfront.

I explored this option with 3 tools: Chatsonic, ChatGTP, Bard.

Common Prompt: Draft a design brief for my community bookstore’s new logo.

IMPORTANT update! To improve the results please do ask if he has questions. Look at this example.

⚠️ This article has been entirely generated using the aforementioned tools. Nothing has been edited.

ChatGPT reply

Design Brief:

Community Bookstore Logo

Project Overview:

We are seeking a talented designer to create a new logo for our community bookstore. The logo should reflect the essence of our bookstore, which is a cozy and welcoming space for book lovers of all ages. The logo will be used across various mediums, including signage, promotional materials, website, and social media.

Objectives:

1. To create a visually appealing and memorable logo that represents our community bookstore's identity.
2. To evoke a sense of warmth, inclusiveness, and the joy of reading through the logo design.
3. To ensure the logo is versatile and easily recognizable across different mediums and sizes.
4. To incorporate elements that reflect the local community or literary themes, without being overly specific or limiting.

Target Audience:

Our target audience includes local residents, families, book enthusiasts, and individuals passionate about supporting local businesses. The logo should appeal to people of different ages and backgrounds, encouraging them to visit our bookstore and explore our offerings.

Logo Specifications:

1. Design Style: The logo should have a modern and contemporary feel, while also capturing a sense of tradition and literary charm. Avoid overly complex or cluttered designs, and opt for simplicity and clarity.
2. Color Palette: Use warm and inviting colors, such as earth tones, soft pastels, or vibrant jewel tones. Consider colors that convey a sense of comfort, knowledge, and creativity.
3. Typography: Choose a legible and versatile font that complements the overall logo design. It should be easily readable both in larger applications like signage and smaller applications like website headers.
4. Imagery: Incorporate relevant elements that symbolize the essence of a community bookstore. This could include but is not limited to: books, bookshelves, reading nooks, open pages, friendly characters, or subtle references to the local community. Avoid using overly generic or clichéd symbols.
5. Scalability: Ensure that the logo design retains its visual impact and clarity when scaled up or down, allowing for effective use on various marketing materials.

Deliverables:

1. Primary Logo: A versatile, visually appealing, and distinct logo that represents our community bookstore.
2. Color Variations: Provide both full-color and monochrome versions of the logo for different applications.
3. Usage Guidelines: Include guidelines on the proper and consistent use of the logo across various platforms and materials.

Timeline:

Please submit your design proposals no later than [insert date]. We anticipate finalizing the logo selection within [insert number of weeks] after the submission deadline.

Budget:

We have allocated a budget of [insert budget amount] for this logo design project. Please provide a breakdown of your fees and any additional costs associated with revisions or deliverables beyond the scope of this brief.

Submission:

Please submit your design proposals in digital format (preferably vector files) via email to [insert email address]. Include your portfolio or examples of previous logo design work, if available, to help us evaluate your style and capabilities.

Note: By submitting your design proposals, you agree to transfer the intellectual property rights of the selected logo to our community bookstore.

Chatsonic reply

Important change to consider. I was forced to change the prompt adding a more specific description of the output. In order to obtain the same type of answer a word "document" has been added to avoid the generation of images.

New Prompt: Draft a design brief document for my community bookstore’s new logo.

Sure, I'd be happy to help you with that. Here's a draft design brief for your community bookstore's new logo:

Project Overview

Your community bookstore is in need of a new logo that reflects its values and mission. The current logo is outdated and does not accurately represent the bookstore's commitment to promoting literacy and community engagement. The new logo should be modern, versatile and memorable.

Target Audience

The target audience for the bookstore's new logo is book lovers of all ages, especially those who are passionate about supporting local businesses. The logo should be appealing to both adults and children.

Logo Requirements

• The logo should be simple, yet memorable and unique.
• It should communicate the bookstore's commitment to promoting literacy and community engagement.
• The logo must be versatile and work well in different sizes and formats.
• It should be easy to reproduce in print and digital media.
• The logo should be timeless and not tied to any current design trends.

Design Elements

The following design elements should be considered for the new logo:

• Books or other literary elements
• Community or people-focused imagery
• A color palette that reflects the bookstore's values and mission

Branding Guidelines

The new logo will be the cornerstone of the bookstore's branding efforts. Therefore, branding guidelines should be established to ensure consistency in all marketing materials. These guidelines should include:

• Colors to be used in all marketing materials
• Typography to be used in all marketing materials
• Examples of proper logo usage, including placement, sizing, and clear space requirements

I hope this design brief helps you to create a logo that accurately reflects your community bookstore's values and mission. Let me know if you need any further assistance.

Written by Chatsonic

Bard reply

Bard generated three options, I picked one for the purpose of the test.

Sure, here is a design brief for your community bookstore's new logo:

Client: Community Bookstore
Project: New Logo Design
Date: 2023-06-28

1. Background

Community Bookstore is a small, independent bookstore located in a downtown neighborhood. We are committed to providing our community with a wide selection of books, as well as a welcoming and inviting atmosphere. We are looking for a new logo that reflects our values and our commitment to the community.

2. Target Audience

Our target audience is adults and children of all ages who live in the surrounding neighborhood. We also attract tourists and visitors from other parts of the city.

3. Goals

The goals of the new logo are to:

• Create a strong visual identity for Community Bookstore
• Communicate our values of community, learning, and discovery
• Be memorable and appealing to our target audience
• Be versatile enough to be used on a variety of marketing materials, including our website, social media, and print advertising

4. Requirements

The new logo should include the following elements:

• The name of the bookstore, "Community Bookstore"
• A symbol that represents books, reading, or learning
• A color scheme that is appealing and consistent with our brand

5. Restrictions

The new logo should not:

• Use any trademarked or copyrighted images or symbols
• Be too complex or busy
• Use any fonts that are difficult to read

6. Approval Process

The new logo will be approved by the bookstore's owner, manager, and marketing team.

7. Additional Information

We would like to see a variety of logo designs, including both traditional and abstract concepts. We are open to all ideas, so please feel free to be creative.

Thank you for your time and consideration. We look forward to seeing your logo designs!

Conclusions

While all of the three AI tools (chatGPT, Bard and Chatsonic) did a valid job providing answer with a simple prompt, I would remark that they provide just a sample, a template that with all the differences in focus and structure can be used as a starting point or to provide the stakeholders with a proper format and example.

Though a human professional, with a simple initial prompt like that will not have provided any reply if not additional questions to be able to properly fill the blanks.

They [AI tools] are not reacting as a real human will, but they will just try their best to reply to anything, without a creative and strategic thinking process.

My personal conclusion, is that despite we call them "chat...", they are not really chatty 😬. They are not reacting as a real human will, but they will just try their best to reply to anything, without a creative and strategic thinking process.

And this marks a great difference in the outcomes that might come.

Important update

In order to improve the quality of the outcomes, there are several important way to build a prompt. As I reported above in my conclusions, the Ai by itself is not a sentient individual and so he does not bother to ask any questions, unless you ask him to consider the option.

An example using ChatGPT

Updated prompt: Draft a design brief for my community bookstore’s new logo. Before starting, are there any questions you would like to ask that will help you carry this out to the best of your ability?

ChatGPT First Reply

Certainly! Here are a few questions that can help me better understand your requirements and create an effective design brief for your community bookstore's new logo:

1. What is the name of your community bookstore?
2. Could you provide a brief overview of your community bookstore? What is its mission, values, and target audience?
3. Do you have an existing logo or brand identity? If yes, what aspects of it do you want to retain or change?
4. What are the key messages or feelings you want your new logo to convey?
5. Are there any specific elements or symbols that you would like to see incorporated into the logo? For example, books, a community, or any other visual motifs.
6. What is the desired style of the logo? Should it be modern, vintage, minimalistic, playful, or any other specific style?
7. Are there any colors that you would like to be used or avoided in the logo? If you have any specific color preferences, please mention them.
8. Where do you plan to use the logo? Will it primarily be used on signage, stationery, website, social media, or other mediums?
9. Do you have any specific requirements or considerations for the logo design? For example, it should be easily recognizable, scalable, or versatile for different applications.
10. Do you have any examples of logos or designs that you find appealing or inspiring? This can help provide a visual reference for the style or elements you prefer.

Please provide as much information as possible, and feel free to add any additional details or specifications that you think are important.