What is the purpose of a design brief?

A design brief serves a crucial role in the design process by providing a structured document that outlines the objectives, target audience, and specific requirements for a project. It acts as a foundational guide that aligns all stakeholders—designers, clients, and teams—on the project's goals and vision. By detailing aspects such as the problem to be solved, target market insights, brand guidelines, and project deliverables, the design brief ensures that everyone has a shared understanding of what needs to be accomplished. This clarity helps in managing expectations and can significantly influence the overall success of the design project.

Other options represent different aspects of project management but do not capture the comprehensive role of a design brief. For example, while defining a financial budget or presenting a final design are important stages in the overall workflow, they do not encapsulate the purpose of the design brief, which is primarily focused on setting the stage for the project's direction and alignment from the outset.