Brief templates › Product Design Brief · Last updated October 24, 2026
When to use this product design brief
Use it for product design projects: users, problems to solve, features, constraints, materials or platforms and success criteria.
- 25 questions
- Free to copy
- Editable in MyBriefy
The 25 questions
- What is the primary objective of the product design? (e.g., new product development, redesign, improvement of existing product)
- What problem does the product aim to solve for its users?
- Who is the target audience for this product? (e.g., demographics, behaviors, needs, and preferences)
- What are the key features and functionalities the product must include?
- Are there secondary features or "nice-to-haves" to consider?
- What are the constraints or limitations for the design? (e.g., budget, materials, technology, timeline)
- What is the desired look and feel of the product? (e.g., modern, minimalist, ergonomic, luxury)
- Are there specific design elements or styles to incorporate?
- What materials or technologies should be used in the product design?
- Are there existing brand guidelines or visual identities the design must align with?
- Who are the main competitors, and how should the product differ or stand out?
- What is the expected size, shape, or weight of the product?
- Are there specific environmental or sustainability considerations for the design?
- How will the product be manufactured or produced?
- Are there specific usability or accessibility requirements to address?
- What is the expected lifecycle of the product? (e.g., disposable, long-term use, upgradeable)
- How should the product be packaged or presented to customers?
- What is the budget for the product design and development?
- What is the timeline for delivering the final product design?
- What are the key milestones or checkpoints in the design process?
- What testing or validation processes are required for the product?
- Are there any legal, safety, or regulatory requirements for the design?
- What are the expected deliverables? (e.g., sketches, 3D models, prototypes, technical specifications)
- Are there any existing references, inspirations, or competitor designs to consider?
- How will the final product design integrate into the broader brand or product ecosystem?
How to get a good product design brief back from your client
A product design brief has to settle two things before anyone sketches: the problem the product solves and the constraints it has to live within. Budget, materials, manufacturing method and regulations rule out most ideas early, so get them in writing up front rather than discovering them at prototype stage.
Split must-haves from nice-to-haves
The template asks for key features and secondary ones separately for a reason. Ask the client to rank the must-haves; when the budget gets tight, you'll know what to cut.
Ask how it will be made
Manufacturing method, materials and expected lifecycle change the design more than style preferences do. If the client doesn't know yet, note it as an open question and agree when it will be decided.
Get the regulations named
Safety, legal and regulatory requirements differ by product and market. Ask the client to list the ones they know about, and who on their side is responsible for compliance.
Define what "done" looks like
Sketches, 3D models and working prototypes are very different amounts of work. Agree the deliverables and the testing steps before you quote.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Designing for "everyone" because the target user was never agreed.
- Leaving packaging out of scope by accident, then being asked for it at the end.
- Skipping sustainability questions that later decide the material choice.
- No checkpoints, so the client sees the work for the first time at the final review.
Skip the copy and paste. In MyBriefy this brief is ready to send: your client answers online, you both comment on the answers, and the approved brief stays on the client's record.
Send this brief freeHow to use it in MyBriefy
- Start a free 30-day trial and add your client. 30 clients and projects are free on every paid plan, and you can add more as you go.
- Pick the Product Design Brief template. Add your own questions or hide the ones that don't fit the job.
- Share the brief with your client. They answer online and approve it, and comments stay next to each answer.
- Work from the approved brief. Turn it into tasks, a contract or an invoice with the add-ons when you need them.
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Questions about this template
- What should a product design brief include?
- The objective and the problem the product solves, the target users, must-have and nice-to-have features, constraints, look and feel, materials and technology, brand guidelines, competitors, size and weight, sustainability, manufacturing, usability and accessibility, lifecycle, packaging, budget, timeline and milestones, testing, regulations and the expected deliverables.
- Is a product design brief the same as a product requirements document?
- No. A product design brief is written with the client to agree the goals, constraints and deliverables of the design work. A product requirements document is usually internal and goes deeper into detailed functional specifications.
- When should the client fill in a product design brief?
- Before you quote or schedule the work, so the price and timeline reflect the real constraints.
- Is this product design brief template free?
- Yes. Copy the 25 questions for free, or use them in MyBriefy, where you can try everything free for 30 days with no credit card.
- Can I change the questions?
- Yes. In MyBriefy you can add your own questions or hide the ones that don't fit the job before you send the brief. If you copy them instead, they're yours to edit however you like.
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