What to send a freelance graphic designer in your first message
To condense a design brief into a single page, break down the objective, the intended context (where it will be used), and the required dimensions—illustrated here with a real-world invitation example.
It’s perfectly natural to start by saying, "I need a poster." However, what truly saves time is specifying—in the very next sentence—who will see the poster, where they will see it, and what they will be doing at that moment. Consider an exhibition opening in Ankara: a visitor arriving at the door needs to find the venue, whereas someone scrolling through Instagram might simply want to add the date to their calendar. Even if both use the same core visual, they require different layouts.
A concise brief template you can copy and fill out
"We need to help first-time visitors find the entrance and the start time for our opening this Saturday. We require an A3 poster for the door and a vertical graphic for social media. The text is attached. Derya will provide the final approval. The files must be ready for the printer by Thursday at noon." These five sentences define the dimensions, the timeline, the target audience, and the final decision-maker. With this information, a freelance graphic designer can immediately ask—during the very first conversation—whether you need photography or additional signage.
Include your vector logo (if available), the printer’s dimension specifications, and any photos you have permission to use. If you provide examples of work you like, explain why you like them. Saying "I like the dark blue used here" versus "I like how the date can be read at a single glance" will lead the designer in entirely different directions.