Explore every episode of the podcast The Upshot Podcast

"…saving you energy, time and frustration down the line you’ve got everything in one place and a better grasp of the problem that needs solving."

Joined by Kath Simpson, a design consultant with extensive charity experience, we discuss the trusty design brief and ask the question "can a good design brief actually save your charity money?".

Find out what information to include and why it's so critical to project success.

"Investing money into things like brand, design, into communications, advertising and so on, is not simply to look good."

Compassion is a global Christian aid charity based in Colorado, with 12 partner country offices around the world. Head of Comms and Creative Delivery at Compassion UK is Steve Coffey, who speaks with Owen about the challenges of international brand management, the value of values that mean something, and the benefit of using empathy rather than shock tactics to retain long-term relationships with supporters.

"Our typeface and the font, I always think about it as like monster slippers on a tuxedo!"

It can only be one charity really, can't it! We speak to James Reekie, Brand and Creative Consultant at Macmillan Cancer Support, who gives us an energetic and hugely empassioned insight into many years, two major rebrands and countless thrown-out briefs at one of the UK's most prominent non-profits. So much to learn from this brilliant chat – a great way to start the podcast. Enjoy.