How to Write a Great Contest Brief
Your contest brief is the foundation of your entire contest experience. A well-written brief attracts the right artists, communicates your vision clearly, and results in designs that truly capture what you're looking for. This guide will help you create a brief that gets exceptional results.
Essential Elements of a Great Brief
Clear Title: Your title should immediately convey the core concept of your tattoo. Instead of "Cool Tattoo Design," use something like "Geometric Wolf with Sacred Geometry Elements" or "Watercolor Phoenix Rising from Ashes."
Detailed Description: This is where you paint the complete picture of your vision. Include every important detail about style, meaning, elements, and aesthetic preferences.
Style Specification: Be specific about the tattoo style you want: - Traditional/Old School - Neo-Traditional - Realistic/Photorealistic - Geometric/Sacred Geometry - Watercolor - Minimalist/Fine Line - Blackwork/Dotwork - Biomechanical - Japanese/Irezumi - Tribal
Size and Placement: Specify where on your body the tattoo will go and approximate dimensions. This affects design composition, detail level, and overall approach.
Writing Your Description
Start with the Big Picture: Begin with the overall concept and mood you want to achieve.
Include Personal Meaning: Explain why this tattoo is important to you and what it represents. This helps artists understand the emotional significance.
Specify Required Elements: List any specific symbols, objects, text, or imagery that must be included in the design.
Describe the Mood: Use descriptive words like "fierce," "peaceful," "mystical," "bold," "delicate," or "powerful" to convey the feeling you want.
Technical Requirements: Mention any technical considerations like: - Color vs. black and gray - Level of detail appropriate for the size - How the design should flow with body contours - Any text or lettering requirements
Reference Images
Style References: Include images showing the tattoo style you prefer, even if the subject matter is different.
Subject References: Provide images of the actual elements you want included (animals, symbols, objects).
Composition Examples: Show how you envision elements arranged or flowing together.
What to Avoid: Include examples of styles or approaches you don't want.
Common Brief Mistakes to Avoid
Being Too Vague: "I want something cool" doesn't give artists enough direction to create what you're envisioning.
Conflicting Requirements: Asking for "highly detailed realistic portrait" for a "small wrist tattoo" creates impossible expectations.
Too Many Elements: Trying to include everything meaningful to you can result in cluttered, unfocused designs.
Ignoring Placement: Not considering how the design will work with your body's natural contours and movement.
Unrealistic Expectations: Expecting photographic realism in a 2-inch design or full-color complexity in a minimalist style.
Brief Template
Title: [Clear, descriptive title of your concept]
Style: [Specific tattoo style preference]
Size & Placement: [Where on body and approximate dimensions]
Concept Overview: [2-3 sentences describing the overall vision]
Required Elements: [Specific items that must be included]
Personal Meaning: [Why this tattoo is important to you]
Style Details: [Color preferences, line weight, shading style]
Mood/Feeling: [Emotional tone you want to convey]
Technical Notes: [Any specific technical requirements]
Avoid: [Styles, elements, or approaches you don't want]
Example of a Great Brief
Title: "Geometric Wolf Portrait with Sacred Geometry Background"
Style: Neo-traditional with geometric elements
Size & Placement: Upper arm/shoulder, approximately 6x8 inches
Concept: A powerful wolf portrait as the central focus, surrounded by intricate sacred geometry patterns that frame and enhance the wolf without overwhelming it.
Required Elements: Wolf head/portrait, sacred geometry patterns, strong line work
Personal Meaning: The wolf represents my connection to nature and inner strength, while the geometry represents the underlying order and beauty in the natural world.
Style Details: Bold black lines with selective color accents (deep blues and forest greens), strong contrast between organic wolf features and precise geometric patterns.
Mood: Powerful, mystical, balanced between wild nature and cosmic order
Technical Notes: Design should flow well with shoulder/arm contours, geometry should complement rather than compete with wolf portrait
Avoid: Overly cute or cartoonish wolf styles, chaotic or random geometric patterns, excessive color that distracts from the main subject
Refining Your Brief
Get Feedback: Ask friends or family to read your brief and tell you what they envision based on your description.
Be Specific: If something is important to you, mention it explicitly rather than assuming artists will know.
Stay Focused: It's better to execute one strong concept perfectly than to try to include everything.
Consider Revisions: You can clarify or expand your brief during the contest based on initial submissions.
Remember, your brief is a communication tool. The clearer and more detailed you are, the better artists can understand and execute your vision. Take time to craft a thorough brief - it's the most important factor in getting designs you'll love.