Design Brief: Digital Report/Directory Design & Creation Project Overview We are developing a comprehensive Technology Directory/Report, a resource designed to guide decision-makers in our industry. This report will serve as an authoritative, visually appealing guide, showcasing key insights, trends, and vendor listings across multiple categories and sub-categories. The directory will include both free and premium listings, and we aim to make it an evergreen resource with strong visual and structural clarity. All content and text will be sourced and provided to the designer by us. We require a designer/team who can design and construct the report in collaboration with our project team. ________________________________________ Project Scope 1. Core Deliverables • Front Cover Design: Eye-catching, professional, and reflective of the relevant technology industry. • Table of Contents: Clear and visually engaging layout for easy navigation. • Category & Sub-Category Headers: Distinct section openers with consistent branding, including a brief intro, icons, or visuals for each. • Content Pages (broken down into two parts): o 1. Education focus: Text-heavy pages for each sub-category section - introductions, features, use cases, FAQs, and evaluation tips. (high level estimate approx. 30-40 pages total) o 2. Listings focus: Vendor listing pages with a distinction between premium and free listings, per sub-category. (high level estimate approx. 80-100 pages total) • Infographic Design: Integration of key stats, trends, or insights into visually appealing graphics. • Glossary Section: Designed to highlight key terms, formatted for clarity and ease of use. • Back Cover: Clean, professional close with branding and contact information. ________________________________________ 2. Design Specifications • Format: Digital PDF optimised for desktop and mobile viewing. • Branding: Consistent use of our branding guidelines (colours, typography, logo placement). • Navigation: Intuitive and logical layout that guides the reader through sections seamlessly. • Premium Listings Highlight: Design distinction for premium listings to emphasise their additional content and value. • Visual Balance: Blend of text, graphics, and white space to ensure readability and engagement. • Interactive Elements (Optional): Hyperlinked table of contents, vendor websites, or key callouts for user convenience. ________________________________________ 3. Expectations from Designer • Collaborate with our team to understand the overall vision and requirements. • Translate provided copy and structure into a cohesive and visually engaging design. • Deliver design mock-ups for review and incorporate feedback. • Ensure the final design is polished, professional, and reflective of our brand. • Provide all source files and deliverables in editable formats. ________________________________________ 4. Timeline • Kick-off Meeting: ASAP once selected. • First Draft Delivery: January. • Feedback & Iteration: TBC. Discuss in scope. • Final Delivery: Q1/Q2. TBC. Discuss in scope ________________________________________ 5. Key Skills/Experience Required • Proven experience in creating professional reports, guides, or directories. • Strong grasp of branding and visual hierarchy. • Proficiency in design tools like Adobe InDesign, Illustrator, or equivalent. • Ability to integrate feedback and collaborate effectively. The directory should have a moderate level of interactivity, including hyperlinked table of contents and vendor websites. The overall design should have a modern and sleek style in our branding, as well as incorporate/reflect elements of the technology industry.
