How to Use a Creative Brief (And Why You Need One for Your Photoshop Projects)

Ever opened Photoshop, stared at the blank canvas, and thought...

“Where do I even start?”

You’re not alone.

Whether you're designing a book cover, a social media graphic, a client mockup, or a digital product, having a Creative Brief makes the difference between frustration and flow.

Let’s walk through what it is, why it’s essential, and how to create one using our free template.

A Creative Brief is a simple document that outlines the purpose, goals, and specs of a design project.

It answers key questions before you even open Photoshop, like:

• Who is this for?
• What needs to be included?
• What feeling should this design give off?
• Where will it be used?

Think of it as a game plan for your visual work. One that keeps you focused, consistent, and saves you from major redesigns later on.

You don’t need to be a professional freelancer or design agency to benefit from using a creative brief. In fact, if you're just starting out, it's even more helpful.

Here’s what it helps you do:

✅ Clarify your goals before wasting time experimenting

✅ Get feedback faster (because you know what you’re aiming for)

✅ Design with confidence, not guesswork

✅ Keep files and assets organized from the start

✅ Work better with clients or collaborators

Here's a simplified breakdown of what a good Creative Brief contains (and what our template includes):

1. Project Name

E.g. Romantic Book Cover for “Falling Skies”

2. Objective / Goal

What is this design meant to do?
Sell a product? Build a brand? Create engagement?

3. Target Audience

Who’s going to see this? Age, gender, interests, tone of voice.

4. Deliverables

What exactly are you creating?
E.g. 6x9 print cover + eBook version + mockup or Logo + branding

5. Info to Include

What information needs to be on the graphics of the project?

E.g. Book Covers: Titles, subtitles, taglines, author name, CTA, etc.

6. Visual Direction

Colors, font ideas, image inspiration, mood.

7. Size & Specs

Dimensions, resolution (DPI), color mode (RGB/CMYK), file type needed.

8. Reference Designs

Screenshots or links to designs the client likes — or your own style inspo.

9. Deadline / Timeline

Deadlines or checkpoints to help you manage your time.

10. Budget

What is the cost of the project? Or how much money is the client willing to spend so you can gauge what services you can provide within that amount.

11. Notes or Special Requests

Somtimes your client will have more information to provide, so it's good to include a spot where they can add in more details.

This doesn’t need to be a 10-page document. One page is often enough!
Especially if you’re a solo creator, it’s just about organizing your thoughts.

I’ve put together a FREE Creative Brief Template for Design Projects — perfect for:

• Book covers
• Social graphics
• Product mockups
• Client projects
• and more!

It’s printable and fillable!

A Creative Brief may seem like a “pro designer” thing, but it’s really just a clarity tool.

It helps you design faster, smarter, and with way less second-guessing.

Whether you're building your own brand, launching a creative project, or designing for others — start with a brief, and Photoshop gets a whole lot easier.

Want to design covers like a pro?

Check out the Intro to Photoshop for Book Cover Design course — created just for beginners like you!