Overview

The standard used to convert product and commercial requirements into written briefs that suppliers and designers work from, and to verify what they return against those briefs. Applied across packaging, marketplace imagery and physical product branding.

Objective

Reduce rework and revision cycles by specifying requirements in writing before production begins, and by reviewing output against the written brief rather than against preference.

Brief structure

Element Contents
Purpose What the deliverable is for, stated before any requirement
Structural constraints Dielines, dimensions, physical fit, platform requirements
Content requirements Product information, features, contents, mandatory copy
Placement requirements Branding, logo position, informational areas such as barcodes
Hierarchy What is seen first, and in what order
Reference material Existing guidelines, competitor patterns, prior approved work

The purpose statement carries the most weight. A brief listing requirements without stating what the deliverable is for tends to produce work that satisfies every requirement and misses the intent.

Application

Packaging - Layout coordinated against product dimensions and fit, labelling requirements and brand guidelines, then verified as production-ready before the run.

Marketplace imagery - Each image assigned a defined purpose, with features, specifications, use cases and messaging specified per image, alongside platform main-image requirements.

Physical branding - Logo application to product and retail packaging, verified against the approved identity on returned samples.

Verification and revision

Output is reviewed against the brief. A finding referencing a specific point in the brief is actionable and closes. A general statement of dissatisfaction produces another round.

Revisions are consolidated before they are sent, so the supplier or designer receives one coherent set of changes. Sequential and contradictory feedback from multiple parties is the most common cause of extended revision cycles.

My Role