Design and creative templates
Design briefs, critiques, handoffs, client feedback, portfolio case studies and creative notes. 29 free templates, 10 of them longer notes. Open one to fill in the blanks and copy it.
Design docs
Briefs, specs and case studies.
- Design brief Note Start a project. Project: [Project] Client or team: [Client] Deadline: [Deadline] Problem Audience Goals Constraints…
- Design critique notes Note Structured critique. Work: [Work] Presenter: [Presenter] Goal of the design What works - Questions - Suggestions -
- Handoff spec Note For developers. Screen: [Screen] Figma: [Link] States - Default - Hover - Empty - Error - Loading Spacing and type…
- Portfolio case study Note Tell the story of a project. Overview My role The problem Process The solution Results What I learned
- Brand guidelines Note Summary of a brand. Logo Colours | Name | Hex | Use | | | | | | | | | Typography Voice Do and do not
- Moodboard notes Note Collect inspiration. Project: [Project] Mood Colours Type References -
- Usability findings Note Test results. Study: [Study] Participants: [N] Top issues 1. What worked Recommendations
- Design system component Note Document a component. Component: [Component] When to use Variants Props | Prop | Type | Default | | | | | Accessibility
- Accessibility checklist Note Before handoff. - [ ] Colour contrast meets 4.5:1 - [ ] Focus states visible - [ ] Labels on all controls - [ ] Works with…
- Photo shoot plan Note Plan a shoot. Shoot: [Shoot] Date: [today] Location: [Location] Shot list - [ ] Props Crew
Client communication
Feedback, revisions and approvals.
- Share concepts Snippet Presents options. Hi [Client], Here are three concepts for [Project]: [Link] Each takes a different direction: [Summary].…
- Request feedback Snippet Asks for specific feedback. Hi [Client], Could you review [Deliverable] by [in 3 days]? It helps most if you tell me what feels right,…
- Revision round limit Snippet Reminds of scope. Hi [Client], Happy to make these changes. Just a heads-up that this is revision [Round] of [Included]…
- Final files delivered Snippet Hands over files. Hi [Client], Your final files are ready: [Link] Included: [Files]. Thank you for a great project!
- Vague feedback reply Snippet Turns vague into actionable. Thanks, [Client]. When you say it needs more [Word], do you mean [Option A] or [Option B]? A reference you…
- Approval request Snippet Asks to sign off. Hi [Client], If you are happy with [Deliverable], please reply with approved and we will move to [Next stage].
- Project quote Snippet Prices a design job. Hi [Client], For [Project], the fee is [Fee], covering [Scope] with [Rounds] rounds of revisions. Timeline:…
- Late feedback nudge Snippet Chases a client. Hi [Client], Just checking in on feedback for [Deliverable]. To keep the [Deadline] date, I need it by [in 2…
Critique phrases
Give useful design feedback.
- Hierarchy feedback Snippet Visual priority. The first thing I notice is [What]. Is that the most important thing on this screen?
- Consistency feedback Snippet Pattern mismatch. This [Element] looks different from the one on [Other screen]. Should they match?
- Clarity question Snippet User confusion. What would a first-time user think this button does?
- Positive critique Snippet Specific praise. The way you handled [Detail] is really clear. It makes [Task] feel effortless.
- Accessibility feedback Snippet Contrast or size. This [Element] might be hard to read for people with low vision; the contrast looks low.
- Edge case question Snippet Asks about states. What happens when [Edge case]? It would be good to see that state too.
Creative prompts
Get unstuck.
- Constraint prompt Snippet A limit to spark ideas. Design [Thing] using only [Constraint].
- Crazy eights Snippet Rapid sketching. Fold a page into eight. Sketch eight ideas for [Problem] in eight minutes, one per box.
- How might we Snippet Reframe a problem. How might we [Goal] for [User] without [Constraint]?
- Reverse brainstorm Snippet Find what not to do. How could we make [Experience] as bad as possible? Now flip each answer.
- Name ideas Snippet Brainstorm names. Name ideas for [Thing]: - - - Criteria: short, easy to say, available as a domain.