1. Working to a Brief
LO1
Hannah, Marie and Charlotte

2. Contractual Brief
Definition – A contractual brief is a contract that explains what the rules are between both the client
and the worker. It tells you about what the client wants from his job, this helps the worker to
understand what they want. For a contractual brief to work the worker would have to agree before
they signed the document. By signing it, it means that they agree on how much they are getting
paid etc. You couldn’t do a contractual brief properly without including the liability insurance. This
is another contract that covers any legal issue’s that you may have. For a worker they would have
to make sure that they understand and agree to everything that has been put on the brief, if not
then it might be to late. You have to make sure it’s correct so that you don’t break any rules on the
contract, if you did then the client could sue you for your actions.
Advantages – When you have a contract like this, it should help be an advantage because everything
that you do will be covered e.g. insurance . This contract can guarantee that you’ll be paid after
doing the job, by having a written document it means what you have signed for is what you will get
which is safe and helps you to meet your deadline straight away. Another advantage about having
this contract is that it outlines all the guidelines that the worker had to do, this makes it easier and
clear so that they can get on with the job without any hassle.
Disadvantages – The disadvantages of having this contract is that it can be to controlling, this is
because you and the client might not get along with the rules of the contract. By not getting along it
means it will take longer to actually negotiate a contract, you want to be professional and have a
deal but if your not agreeing on the terms then it wouldn’t work out. For example on the client
brief you want to get along with the company because if not then you lose business and that client.

3. Formal Brief
Definition – A formal Brief is a contract that lays down all the rules and regulations for the
company to follow, it’s normally from the client telling you what to do. It only tells you
the information that is needed for the project nothing else. This is similar to a
contractual brief because both the client and company have to agree on the regulations
before they go forward. The contract doesn’t always cover legal contracts which would
be risky to the company. Formal briefings can also be told to a larger group of people
which can be quite useful when getting a large project done.
Advantages – It is known that a formal brief is very easy to read and helps the client to
understand the different aspects of the contract. It’s similar to the income brief where
it’s nice and relaxed which means the contract isn’t complicated to read, but instead
quite easy which means they can get the job done quickly and sufficiently. Another
advantage is that the contract can never be changed which means you don’t have to
read about any other new ideas but just the ones on the contract. By sticking to this
contract it means more people are able to stick to the contract without any distractions,
this makes it look more professional.
Disadvantages – As the contract can never be changed it means that if the company want
to buy more resources for the project, then they couldn’t because of how fixed the
contract is. To do this you would have to pay for the products yourself, this would affect
the companies budget which can be more expensive altogether.

4. Informal Brief
Definition – An informal brief is a something that has to be done together with the client. It would have
to be set out like a meeting so that they can cover most things about the project. An informal brief
doesn’t include a contract or any documents but the brief has to appeal to the company for them
to go forward without a contract. By discussing the brief it means theirs no strings attach, which
means the date can be chosen at any point, this makes it less complicated.
Advantages – The good thing about having an informal Brief is that there’s no strings attached, it’s easy
and sets a nice environment for the company and the client. These kind of meetings can be done
quickly as it’s just a discussion about what the project should be, whilst a normal contact meeting
would be quite long as it details all the rules and regulations of the contract. Another advantage of
this would be you can change ideas throughout which might make it easier for the client and the
company. For the client’s brief if we had an informal brief, it would be good as you can be creative
and change your recipe's on the cards which might look better than the original idea.
Disadvantages – The issue with having an informal brief is that it’s just a meeting which means all the
details are verbally told and not on a written document. When you have things written down on a
written document it helps people to feel comfortable knowing they will get paid. Sadly without a
written document you might not be paid and you can sue the client at all. This would link to the
client’s brief because if we are making the recipe cards and then they don’t want to pay us then
we’ve wasted money making the cards and also wasted our time when we could have done other
projects with other clients. Another disadvantage you be that it looks unprofessional to meet a
client and not organise a contract, by just talking it doesn’t seem as professional. By only being
verbally told what to do, you might easily forget some significant factors about the project which
might make the product look quite rubbish.

5. Co-Operative Brief
Definition – An informal brief is a something that has to be done together with the client. It would have
to be set out like a meeting so that they can cover most things about the project. An informal brief
doesn’t include a contract or any documents but the brief has to appeal to the company for them
to go forward without a contract. By discussing the brief it means theirs no strings attach, which
means the date can be chosen at any point, this makes it less complicated.
Advantages – The good thing about having an informal Brief is that there’s no strings attached, it’s easy
and sets a nice environment for the company and the client. These kind of meetings can be done
quickly as it’s just a discussion about what the project should be, whilst a normal contact meeting
would be quite long as it details all the rules and regulations of the contract. Another advantage of
this would be you can change ideas throughout which might make it easier for the client and the
company. For the client’s brief if we had an informal brief, it would be good as you can be creative
and change your recipe's on the cards which might look better than the original idea.
Disadvantages – The issue with having an informal brief is that it’s just a meeting which means all the
details are verbally told and not on a written document. When you have things written down on a
written document it helps people to feel comfortable knowing they will get paid. Sadly without a
written document you might not be paid and you can sue the client at all. This would link to the
client’s brief because if we are making the recipe cards and then they don’t want to pay us then
we’ve wasted money making the cards and also wasted our time when we could have done other
projects with other clients. Another disadvantage you be that it looks unprofessional to meet a
client and not organise a contract, by just talking it doesn’t seem as professional. By only being
verbally told what to do, you might easily forget some significant factors about the project which
might make the product look quite rubbish.

6. Negotiated Brief
Definition – A negotiated brief is when two or more companies come to together to negotiate ideas
about a project. When negotiating through the contract, they don’t stop the discussion until they
have an agreement altogether. The brief is all about going through the contract so that everything
is fair between both parties and the client, it allows new ideas to come forward for the project so
that it can be the best quality. When negotiating they would have to make sure that the ideas they
produce are in the legal guidelines, if they broke any of this then they might get sued.
Advantages – This helps to let you know what you are doing and what has been improved e.g. the
theme and visual aspects of the project. This means both of the companies and client can really
grasp on what they want and need. Another advantage of a negotiated brief is that when you
negotiate your ideas with one another then it means that there will be less conflict but strong
solutions. When negotiating through the contract, it helps to find new economic deals, this is
because if they discuss about spenditure etc. then they might find better ways to save money. By
Negotiating ideas with the client it means that you get to see a wider picture of what they want and
have a better understanding.
Disadvantages – A disadvantage of having a negotiated brief is that you can discuss about certain
subjects to much, this can be quite draining and it wouldn’t help you to get to the bottom of your
problem. When both parties are negotiating about the contract then they might forget about the
best deals that can come from a contract. Instead the two parties just agree on a idea because they
have been talking to much. Which means they don’t agree on what they want altogether.

7. Commission Brief
Definition: when somebody commissions a brief they hire a separate independent media
company to create a product for them coming, formulating there own research,
proposals and ideas for the product which is then over seen by the commissioner, in
our case this doesn’t effect what we are creating as we have been given a formal brief
set by the client but in some cases if this had been commissioned the profits would
have had to be split between the company and its developers or the independent
company used.
Advantages; this works well for the independent company because they are getting paid
for doing there job as well as the chance to have a share in the profits made by the
company meaning they are ending up with a healthy profit. In eyes of the company it
works well for them too because it means that they have the time to work on other
projects at the same time as they don’t have to be so involved in projects.
Disadvantages; the company doesn’t get such an active role in the desion making for the
product and so they could end up with something very different to what they
expected. You may have to also share out profits with other investors and share
holders in the business meaning the profit that you get is a lot less than what you
might have first expected.

8. Tender Brief
Definition: this very similar to somebody advertising a job advert, where by the
client publishes an advert showing that they need a media product to be made,
where by a number of production companies may pitch or send in there brief and
adaptations to what the client is wanting to try, showing the estimated cost and
how the product may be produced and get that bid and secure the project, it is
then left to the client to decide upon the which proposal they feel fits there
needs and has answered the brief in the best way.
Advantages; some of the advantages to using this type of brief is that the client has
access to a number of different ideas that they not have first thought of, and
then they can choose between them or have the opportunity to build in aspects
of these different briefs to create a product that you want.
Disadvantages; however the disadvantage of using this type of brief of could be for
the companies that are wanting the project because not all the of these
companies that have applied will get the job.

9. Competition Brief
Definition; is a brief that is left open to any company to take part in for any
participating production companies. As each company has the opportunity to
complete the brief , which can then be judged and assessed on there suitability
for its end use, the chosen project is then published by the company. This type of
brief is seen as very similar to a tender brief as the same elements are applied
with the fact that many people can apply for this project/role. Similarly to our
own product is the fact that we have been set a brief to create a set of recipe
cards, as well as competition within the group to get the recipe cards printed,
which will be chosen by the client who set the brief for this project.
Advantages; an advantage for the company is that most of the time these types are
projects become available through competitions or advertisings and the winning
idea is given a prize or paid in cash which can work out cheaper for the company
then any other way. As well as the fact that the company can take on other work
on the side meaning they are making more money as the business is expanding.
Disadvantages; however, it means that after all that work put into each production
company only one will get chosen and paid meaning the others have make there
projects for nothing without prizes or being paid.

10. My Brief
Which structure/structures will the Vegetarian Recipe Cards brief use?
Reference your reasons for choice/choices
The recipe cards also has elements of being a Competition brief because as well as
our group completing 8 recipe cards there will be a number of other people in
competition to create the recipe cards that will be picked out by they client for its
end use, element which reflects this style f brief is the fact that isn't a paid job and
could be seen a competition which will then be judged.
the recipe cards that we will create have the elements of both Informal and aspects of
formal. The informal parts to this are there is no contract or written agreement
that proves the partnership and what this contract includes such as payment,
deadlines and the basis for the product, which could means if there are an
disagreement between the client and production team meaning that these
circumstances might chance. However the aspects of this being formal is that a
brief is drawn up that establishes the boundaries for the final product, and so by
having this document means the producer knows to create the product within
these guidelines.

11. Reading the Brief
Why is important to thoroughly read your brief?
When starting any project it is important to read through the brief that you have been set because it will
express what the client wants, and so with this information you are more likely to create something
that is appropriate for its purpose. From this you are able to make notes on what is needed such as
for the recipe cards that express how they want these recipe cards setting out using metric rather
than imperial measurements , numbering the method and the ingredients in order. Using
interesting and creative designs that will suit vegetarians and vegans.
For this there are two main elements that can be split up to make the brief easier to understand and
break down which are: the nature; that is based on what had been asked for you and what the final
product expected. As well as the demand; that cover the details involved including the time
constraints and man power needed to get the project finished in time.
When applying it to my own brief the nature of the product and some of these key elements include:
• wanting interesting and creative designs for a new series of recipe cards.
• We need designs on both the front and the back of the card.
• There should be a clear theme across all the cards so it is apparent that they are a set.
When applying this to my own brief the demand of the product is as the following:
• Been created by three people that have the skills needed for photography, graphic design, the copy
and having a chef or expert in that area.
• This project has a 10 week schedule to get the recipe cards completed, using college time 3 days a
weeks as well as time outside of college to get this project finished within the deadline.

12. Reading the Brief
What is the nature and demand of the Vegetarian Recipe Cards brief?
The nature of the brief is that we have to produce a set of cards. The cards need to be sturdy and
need to be able to be wiped clean. Usually laminate enables this but the product also has to
be biodegradable which raises the price of production so a solution would be useful for the
organisation but it isn’t 100% needed. The cards need to have the design on both sides
although with a clear theme linking all the cards together. High quality food photographs
need to be used on the cards so the public knows what the should meal look like. The
information about the recipe, the method (which needs to be numbered) and ingredients,
need to be set out in a special way and certain information has to be added onto the cards
before the recipe. This information is the serving number, preparation time, cooking time and
vegan suitability. The companies branding strip needs to be included so the public know that
the product belongs to the client.
The demand of the brief is ten weeks until deadline. We will have three people working on the
project, this will ensure the project gets done in time and done to a high standard.

13. Negotiating a Brief
Why is it important to discuss the brief with your client prior to production?
If you have any queries or problems with the brief then you can clear them up before starting the
production. If you start production and you’ve not understood the brief properly then you
can start to produce a product that isn’t right. If the product doesn’t fit the brief then you
won’t get paid. This will be a waste of time and money.
You can also discuss your ideas and see if they match what your client had in mind. If they like
your ideas then it’s a green light that you are on the right tracks and can go ahead and make
the product.
While discussing ideas with your own clients we could bring up the Afternoon Tea theme we
have decided on and see if it is suitable or not. If the client is pleased with this theme then
we can continue into production, if not then we can revaluate your ideas and change it until
the clients agrees with the recipes and theme.

14. Negotiating a Brief
What are the advantages and disadvantages of employing discretion with a brief?
If the information on the brief is vague and left for your own interpretation can mean that you
have freedom with what you produce. You have to make sure it fits perfectly with the parts
of the brief that is set but if parts are very vague then you can interpretation them yourself
meaning you have a lot more freedom with your ideas and ultimately your product.
However, if your client interpretations that part of the brief differently they can refuse to pay you
since you haven’t met the needs the brief portray. Its important you don’t change important
parts of the brief or your work won’t be accepted or published. An important part of our
brief is to use vegetarian recipes so we can’t include meat in the meals. If we do then the
cards won’t match the brief and the client will refuse the products.

15. Negotiating a Brief
Are there any potential legal/ethical/regulatory issues with the brief’s proposed product?
There are some laws you need to think of before going into production. For example, Copyright.
You can’t include anything that is copyrighted unless you have permission by the creators of
the item. If you give your product to the client when it is infringing copyright and they use it,
it will result in them getting sued. They will then sue you for giving them the product. Privacy
laws and the race discrimination act needs to followed too. You can’t publish peoples private
information or use their lifestyle/stories as an example in a negative way.
You need to ensure the brief fits the ASA regulations. For example, in our brief if they said it was
okay to include meat in the recipes then that would be false advertising because the products
say they are suitable for vegetarians. False advertising is against ASA regulations and they will
remove the product from the public.

16. Negotiating a Brief
Amendments you have considered to;
The Product
If the finished product isn’t of a high enough quality then you will need to redo some of it. This needs
extra time which should be in your schedule as contingence time. Similarly you could have to lower
your ambitious of the product in order to finish it on time. You could of misjudged the time taken to
complete a part of your work and in response to that have to cut other parts out of your work.
Reaching the deadline is more important.
Also ensuring you haven’t used anything that breaks the law like copyright infringement. If you have
used something in you work that is copyrighted without getting the companies permission then
they will sue you.
The Budget
If the budget needs amending its most probably because the project will cost more than originally
thought. If the project does go over budget then there are multiple things you can do, ask for more
money off your client and explain that your work has gone over budget. If they refuse then you can
make up the difference yourself or downscale your work. Remove some things so it costs less.
The Conditions
In the brief conditions include wages. It is important you sort out how much you are going to get paid
for the project before you sign the contract otherwise you will have to be paid that much. This is
bad if the project overruns or requires more resources than you thought, therefore costing you
more. If you get paid less than it cost to produce then you are making a loss

17. Opportunities
What opportunities could this brief allow you to explore?
Self Development; this brief will allow the people of the group to work on there team work,
discussion and negotiation skills within the group, it also means that you will be able to develop
your skills in the aspects of work that is required from you such as the graphic, writing ,
photography and cooking of the recipes.
Learning new skills; as well as giving people specific jobs to do, from our group we will have the
opportunity to try out some of these skills as well whether this is supervising the photographer
or getting involved in the cooking of the food that we choose to create. Another skill that we will
learn is when it comes to working with a client, meaning it has to be to a professional standard,
and maintain a business like attitude to the work.
Multi-skilling
Within our group we will be doing different jobs between us e.g. One of our group members will be a
photographer and chef. Another one of our members are doing graphic design and copyrighting.
Combining the skills of us of our members they will collaborate to create the graphics meaning
team work will be key.
Contributing to a brief
We will be making all the food products from our chosen recipes. As are theme is for elderly people,
we think making cakes will be a good option as it’s a product that everyone loves. We will be
doing this by going to one of the members house to produce this.