QSDC - Design Brief

Assigning a Quality Score for Design Competitions - Design Brief

Abstract: A good competition should provide a clear brief that communicates several layers of information. Firstly, a separate page should be made for the brief where we could access information regarding the preferences of the organizers for what types of submissions they are expecting. This could be composed of institutional statements such as mission, vision etc, the design competitions’ aims, target audience clarifications, technical restrictions or methodology requirements, and any other advices to participating designers.

Please note that for the Design Brief score other information such as certificate costs, gala nights, exhibition possibilities etc are not discussed in this section as they are discussed in detail in other sections.

Collected Information: ---

Design Brief Score Sheet:

1. Competition Brief URL, Score++10
   Webpage address link (URL) of the complete brief & call for designs text of the competition could be very usefull for designers to determine what they are exactly expected to do.
2. The institution that calls for designers to design, Score++5
   The name of the company / foundation that wants the designers to design is highly relevant as designers in most cases are expected to create a design that is inline with the vision, mission and brand values of the calling institution.
3. Core values of the institution, Score++5
   Defining clearly the core values of the institution that organizes this competition is useful to understand what is more or less expected.
4. The aim of the competition, Score++5
   What is the ultimate aim of this comptition, why to design, what to design, such information looks simple but it is great to provide them.
5. Target-Audience, Score++5
   Defining clearly the target-audience or target-market for that the final design is important to have a realistic design that can fit the needs of the audience.
6. Subliminal Message, Score++5
   The subliminal message is what the resulting design should communicate to the target audience, if given, it can improve the submission quality.
7. Regarding what to design, Score++5
   If the organizer of the competition clearly states which key aspects should the designers focus on most while designing, for sure the designs would be more relevant.
8. Technical Restraints or Methodologies, Score++5
   What are the material choices, production technologies, and techics etc for designers to obey, this should be given clearly.
9. Where to look for Inspiration, Score++5
   What are the examples of style? Where could designers get inspiration, for example the organizer could provide a link to moodboards etc, the purpose here is to communicate what kind of designs the organizer is looking for.
10. What not to do, Score++5
    What particular points should be avoided while designing the designs, this should be communicated beforehead especially if such criteria are included in the evaluation sheet.
11. Last Advices, Score++5
    Any particular last advice, keynotes, things to add or highlight should be shared. The brief must be such that designers completely understand what they are expected to do.

Maximum Possible Score (60) is achieved with a competition with the following configuration:

Design Brief Score Sheet:

1. Competition Brief URL, Score++10
   
2. The institution that calls for designers to design, Score++5
   
3. Core values of the institution, Score++5
   
4. The aim of the competition, Score++5
   
5. Target-Audience, Score++5
   
6. Subliminal Message, Score++5
   
7. Regarding what to design, Score++5
   
8. Technical Restraints or Methodologies, Score++5
   
9. Where to look for Inspiration, Score++5
   
10. What not to do, Score++5
    
11. Last Advices, Score++5
    

Short Notes: Please note that ++ means to increase by one (1), and -- means to decrease by one (1), so score ++ means, score will increase by one (1). Score ++n means to increase score by n (n) points; Score ++3 means to increase score 3 points. Score // means does not affect score.

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