Kicking off a creative project can feel intimidating, especially if it’s your first time working with a studio.
What do you even need to hand over?
What if you don’t have a clear vision yet?
Do you need a moodboard, or is a messy Google Doc enough?
Don’t worry. Your first brief doesn’t need to be perfect. It just needs to get the conversation rolling.
Here’s what usually goes into a helpful creative brief, and what studios look for to get aligned from day one:
What’s the goal?
This is the north star of the project. Not just what you want made, but what that thing is supposed to do.
Is it a trailer to build hype?
A pitch deck to win over investors?
A UI refresh that finally makes your game feel shippable?
Knowing the goal shapes every creative decision.
What exists already?
This could be anything from a full prototype to a half-baked mood board or a random note from your phone at 2am.
Or you might have nothing at all. That’s okay too.
Whether you’re mid-production or starting from scratch, most studios can adapt to where you are now—not where you think you’re supposed to be.
What’s the vibe?
Even rough keywords or offhand references help.
Even a few keywords help. (Think: “cozy,” “grungy,” “offbeat,” “clean sci-fi,” “like Mob Psycho meets Hollow Knight.”)
If you’re not sure yet, that’s normal. You’ll likely shape it together.
What’s your working style?
Do you prefer detailed timelines or open-ended exploration?
Frequent updates or space to let things cook?
Being upfront about your working style can make the collaboration smoother for everyone.
What happens next?
Once the basics are clear, the studio typically responds with a proposal: outlining timeline, deliverables, and what each milestone might look like.
From there, you’ll move into production, where process, feedback, and iteration take center stage.
Bottom Line
You don’t need to have all the answers before reaching out. A good studio helps you fill in the gaps, not just execute instructions.
And the first brief? It’s just the start of a conversation.
Starting something soon? Let’s make that first brief painless, and the rest of the work even better.
